Stan Lee: The Man Who Breathed Life Into Superheroes   

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  What do Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man, and the Hulk have in common? They all came from the imagination of Stan Lee, the comic book writer who helped transform Marvel Comics into a global entertainment powerhouse.

  Born Stanley Martin Lieber on Dec. 28, 1922, in New York City, Lee grew up loving books and movies. In 1939, at age 17, he began working as an assistant at Timely Comics, which later became Marvel Comics. There, he helped create some of the world’s most famous superheroes alongside talented artists such as Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.

  What made his characters special? They were not perfect. Spider-Man worried about school, money, relationships, and family, while the Hulk struggled to control his anger. Lee believed superheroes should face real problems and struggles that readers could relate to.

  Beyond writing comics, Lee became known for his memorable cameos in Marvel movies, delighting fans with unexpected appearances. He died on Nov. 12, 2018, at age 95, but his imagination continues to inspire millions. His stories remind readers that courage is not about being perfect. It means choosing to do what is right, even when it is difficult.