The man responsible for creating some of the biggest superhero characters in the world has died, aged 95. His name was Stan Lee and this is a look back at his life to find out how all these amazing heroes came to be.
Superhuman speed. Jaw-dropping agility. Genius level intellect. And of course, those unique spidey-senses. There's no doubt that Spiderman is one of the best superheroes ever created and that this definitely isn't him.
The person we have to thank for Spiderman's existence is this guy, American comic-book writer, editor, and publisher Stan Lee. Spiderman's not the only hero Stan brought to life. Not by a long shot. He's also responsible for the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, Black Panther, the Fantastic Four. The list goes on.
Back in the 1930s and 40s when these iconic characters were nothing more than a twinkle in Stan's eye, it wasn't the big screen that captivated superhero fans. No, it was the golden age of comic books. In 1939, Stan began his career as an assistant with a very small publisher called Timely Comics, but it wasn't until the 60s that he first put his biggest creations to paper. By then, that little publisher had re-branded, and you might recognise the name it went with.
In the 60s Marvel characters were brought to life as live action and animated heroes in movies and on TV screens. Today it's a multimedia giant owned by Disney and worth billions of dollars, pumping out slickly produced blockbusters full of recognisable faces. And - fun fact. As many Marvel fans would already know, over the years Stan snuck short cameo appearances in dozens of Marvel movies, a game of hide and seek that never failed to excite his fans.
Those fans say it's sad to say bye to Stan.
COMIC BOOK FAN: He's taught me how to read a little bit. Greatest of all time, father of comic books.
COMIC BOOK FAN: He was 95 but to us he's a superhero. He'd live as long as he wanted to.
As do the celebs who've been lucky enough to play his characters on the big screen.
IOAN GRUFFUDD: He was an incredibly kind and generous and the most enthusiastic person I'd ever met on set.
You guys told us he meant a lot to you, too.
STUDENT: It was pretty sad to hear he'd died, mainly because he's the original creator and people have got used to seeing him all the time.
STUDENT: Stan Lee's known for the Marvel Universe, the movies, the comics, the franchise, all the things you can get from it. Everything to do with the Marvel Universe.
STUDENT: Stan Lee was a very successful man he created a franchise that's made billions and billions of dollars and it's been able to connect with me and heaps of other children and adults. I reckon he had a very successful run. He made heaps of money and he did what he loved.
Critics say what always set Stan's superheroes apart was that they are not perfect. They are all flawed and have real-life problems their powers can't solve. I guess you could say Stan's superpower was showing us, through his characters, that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
Well, most people.
SPIDERMAN: Uh oh. This is not good. Help. someone? Heeeeelp.
