Updated on November 8, 2023
Comics book legend Stan Lee, Marvel superheroes’ creator, was born on December 28, 1922, in New York, and passed away on November 12, 2018. His real name was Stanley Martin Lieber and he came from Romanian-born Jewish immigrant parents. When he started writing comic-book scripts, he used the pseudonym “Stan Lee”, which years later he adopted as his legal name.
To pay tribute to the one who has revolutionized the superhero archetype and was a pioneering force in this niche, we have created the Stan Lee timeline, which highlights important life events and some of his most enduring characters.
By creating iconic characters such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, the X-Men, Doctor Strange, and Black Panther, Stan Lee not only transformed the small division of pulp magazines he was working for into the renowned brand Marvel Comics, but he also significantly contributed to making superhero movies the cornerstone of the blockbuster film industry.
In collaboration with other artists, Mr. Lee introduced superheroes with a more humane and flawed identity that challenged the standards of the idealistically perfect figures that populated the comics magazines of pre-Marvel era. Thus, these figures would struggle with everyday worries like paying rent or wondering about their purpose in life. They would have fits of bad temper, melancholy or vanity.
Endowing his characters with a more naturalistic personality, developing the first black heroes in the comics business and employing new methods of storytelling, the Marvel visionary ushered a new era and saw his work become a huge influence in the movie industry.
Stan Lee: a timeline
We’ve put together a short list of key events in Stan Lee’s life, alongside the milestones of some of his iconic creations:
- December 28, 1922: Stan Lee is born
- July 1939: Graduates from DeWitt Clinton High School
- December 1939: First job at Timely Comics
- May 1941: Lee’s comic book debut
- August 1941: 1st superhero, The Destroyer
- December 1942: Enters the US Army
- August 1945: Returns from military service
- December 1947: Marries Joan Clayton Boocock
- November 1961: The Fantastic Four
- 1962: Spider-Man, Thor, the Hulk
- 1963: Iron Man, X-Men, Doctor Strange
- 1964: Daredevil, Wonder Man
- December 1965: The Inhumans
- July 1966: Black Panther
- December 1967: Captain Marvel
- September 1969: Falcon
- 1972: Director of Marvel Comics
- November 1974: The Inkpot Award
- December 1981: Moves to LA for Marvel’s film projects
- December 1998: Founds Stan Lee Media
- December 2001: Co-founds POW! Entertainment
- July 2006: Hosts “Who Wants to Be a Superhero”
- 2008: Cameo appearance in Iron Man
- April 2008: Superhero comics for Virgin Comics
- November 2008: National Arts Medal
- 2009: Creates the Stan Lee Foundation
- October 2012: Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2015-2017: The Zodiac Legacy Book Series
- November 12, 2018: Dies of heart and respiratory failure
Stan Lee timeline: key milestones explained
December 28, 1922: Stan Lee is born in New York City to Romanian-born Jewish immigrants, Celia and Jack Lieber.
July 1939: Graduates from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, New York.
December 1939: Stan Lee’s first job at Timely Comics. He began working as a gofer and editorial assistant at Timely Comics. Timely’s first comic book was Marvel Comics no. 1. His duties at Timely Comics included fetching lunch, filling inkwells, and proofreading.
May 1941: Stan Lee’s comic book debut. Stan Lee’s first credited work in the comic book industry was a text filler titled “Captain America Foils the Traitor’s Revenge” in Captain America Comics #3, which was published in May 1941.
August 1941: 1st superhero, The Destroyer. He co-created the Destroyer in Mystic Comics #6, which was published in August 1941. The Destroyer was one of Lee’s early superhero co-creations, but his involvement with the character was not as significant as his later work with iconic characters such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, and others.
December 1942: Enters the US Army. Between 1942-1945, Lee served in the US Army during World War II as a member of the Signal Corps, writing manuals, training films, slogans, and occasionally cartooning.
August 1945: Returns from military service. After World War II, Lee resumed his editor position at Timely Comics.
December 1947: Marries. He marries Joan Clayton Boocock, who later became known as Joan Lee.
November 1961: The Fantastic Four. The Fantastic Four, a superhero team featured in Marvel Comics, first appeared in The Fantastic Four #1 (November 1961). Their debut marked a shift toward increased realism in comics and the beginning of the modern Marvel Universe. It was the first superhero team to be co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
1962: Spider-Man, Thor, the Hulk. In 1962, Stan Lee and his collaborators introduced three Marvel superheroes: Spider-Man (anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy #15), Thor (Journey into Mystery no. 83), and the Hulk, all of whom were to become iconic figures of the Marvel Universe.
1963: Iron Man, X-Men, Doctor Strange. Stan Lee, along with collaborators such as Larry Lieber, Don Heck, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko, created Iron Man (Tales of Suspense #39), the X-Men ( The X-Men #1), and Doctor Strange (Strange Tales #110).
1964: Daredevil, Wonder Man. Daredevil was co-created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett, with potential input from Jack Kirby. The character made his first appearance in Daredevil #1 (April 1964). Wonder Man was co-created by Stan Lee, Don Heck, and Jack Kirby. Originally introduced as a villain infused with “ionic” energy in The Avengers #9 (October 1964), he later transformed into a superhero, eventually joining the Avengers.
December 1965: The Inhumans. In December 1965, Marvel Comics debuted “The Inhumans,” a fictional race of superhumans with unique and extraordinary abilities, appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Inhumans are known for their distinctive adventures, especially centered around the Inhuman Royal Family. The term “Inhumans” often brings to mind this particular team of characters with extraordinary abilities. The Inhumans first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 (December 1965).
July 1966: Black Panther. Black Panther was co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Making his first appearance in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966) during the Silver Age of Comic Books, Black Panther, whose real name is T’Challa, serves as the king and guardian of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Enhanced by ancient Wakandan rituals and armed with advanced technology and combat skills, he defends his kingdom using a blend of scientific expertise and traditional values.
December 1967: Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel, (real name: Mar-Vell, Earth alias Walter Lawson), is a character created by Stan Lee and designed by Gene Colan. He first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (December 1967), and is the first character to adopt the title Captain Marvel in the Marvel Universe.
September 1969: Falcon. Falcon (Samuel Thomas “Sam” Wilson) was introduced by Stan Lee and Gene Colan in Captain America #117 (Sept. 1969), marking the first appearance of a Black American superhero in mainstream comic books. Using mechanical wings for flight and defense, Falcon also exhibits a degree of telepathic and empathic control over birds. In All-New Captain America #1 (Jan. 2015), he assumes the role of Captain America and becomes the leader of the Avengers.
1972: Director of Marvel Comics. Lee becomes publisher and editorial director of the Marvel group.
November 1974: The Inkpot Award. The Inkpot Award is bestowed annually since 1974 by Comic-Con International.The prestigious accolade recognizes professionals in various creative fields, including comic books, comic strips, animation, science fiction, and related segments of popular culture. The award is presented at the San Diego Comic-Con, which is CCI’s annual convention, a comic book convention and nonprofit multi-genre entertainment event.
December 1981: Moves to LA. He moved to Los Angeles to develop Marvel’s film projects and television properties.
December 1998: Founds Stan Lee Media, an Internet-based company founded in 1998, known for creating Stan Lee-branded superhero franchises across various media, notably the 7th Portal series. Despite winning the 2000 Web Award for the best Entertainment Portal, the company faced financial struggles and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2000. Although it was dismissed from bankruptcy in November 2006, Stan Lee had distanced himself from the company long before his passing.
December 2001: Co-founds POW! Entertainment. In 2001, Lee, Gill Champion, and Arthur Lieberman established POW! (Purveyors of Wonder) Entertainment with the aim of developing film, television, and video game projects. As part of this venture, Lee conceptualized the racy animated superhero series Stripperella for Spike TV.
July 2006: Hosts “Who Wants to Be a Superhero”. The TV series broadcast “Who Wants to Be a Superhero,” a reality competition series in which contestants vied for the opportunity to create their own superhero character.
2008: Cameo appearance in Iron Man. Stan Lee made a cameo appearance in the film adaptation of Iron Man, kicking off a tradition of cameo appearances in numerous Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films.
April 2008: Superhero comics for Virgin Comics. In 2008, Stan Lee began a collaboration with Richard Branson’s Virgin Comics. At the age of 85, Lee resumed his roles as a writer and editor, overseeing the creation of a new universe of superhero characters.
November 2008: National Arts Medal. In November 2008, Stan Lee was awarded the National Arts Medal, recognizing his significant contributions to the arts and culture, particularly in the field of comic books. Established by Congress in 1984, the National Medal of Arts is awarded by the President and overseen by the National Endowment for the Arts. Awardees are chosen for their notable contributions to the development, advancement, and advocacy of the arts within the United States.
2009: Creates the Stan Lee Foundation. Founded in 2009 by Stan Lee, Junko Kobayashi, and Theodore A. Adams, III as an organization dedicated to supporting literacy, education, and the arts the Stan Lee Foundation aimed to combine entertainment with education through challenging storytelling and addressing cultural issues.
October 2012: Lifetime Achievement Award. In October 2012, Stan Lee received a Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his significant contributions to the comic book industry and popular culture.2015-2017: The Zodiac Legacy book series.The Zodiac Legacy is a trilogy of young adult fantasy novels written by Stan Lee and Stuart Moore. The series, published between 2015 and 2017, revolves around a Chinese-American teenager who acquires the powers of the Chinese zodiac and becomes entangled in a conflict between good and evil.
November 12, 2018: Stan Lee passed away at the age of 95 in Los Angeles, California, due to heart and respiratory failure.
FAQ about Stan Lee
Here are some answers to the questions that people frequently ask about Stan Lee’s life and work.
Stan Lee was a revered comic-book creator, known to millions as the man who has created a world of superheroes, like Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Thor, Doctor Strange, and more for Marvel Comics.
His creation significantly impacted the contemporary age on aspects that might go unnoticed at a first glance:
• Stan Lee humanized the world of superheroes. His characters are not flawless superheroes, they are relatable characters with strong personalities, being described as normal, real people with real problems and weaknesses. This created a sense of hope and empowerment and generations of young people growing up with Lee’s superheroes started to see the potential for outcasts, loners, and the “unpopular” kids to find greater purpose and potential in their own lives. Lee’s superheroes taught the young to find their hidden strength and to use it for the greater good.
• Stan Lee influenced the comics world for decades. He helped reform the Comics Code Authority and addressed issues like discrimination, drugs, and intolerance. Marvel heroes don’t just stand for justice in their fictional universes, they also support real-world causes, tackling issues like bigotry, racism, bullying or drug use. The characters and situations that Lee created are sometimes metaphors for struggles for equality and civil rights, like the X-Men, and other times direct sources of empowerment and representation, like the Black Panther.
• The Stan Lee Foundation promotes literacy, education and the arts. As the manifesto of the Stan Lee Foundation says, “Insecurity is the nemesis of dignity and joy, so The Stan Lee Foundation supports compelling literacy and arts programs promoting life skills that inspire the superhero mindset and empower generations to realize their potential, manifest opportunity, and triumph over self-doubt.”
In 1939, Stan Lee began working as a gofer and editorial assistant at Timely Comics, a small publishing company, but made his comic-book debut in 1941, writing the text for “Captain America Foils the Traitor’s Revenge”, illustrated by Jack Kirby and published in Captain America Comics No. 3 (May 1941).
In 1941, he created his first superhero, Destroyer, in collaboration with Jack Binder. The character was similar to Captain America, a comic-strip superhero created by writer Joe Simon and artist Jack Kirby. The Destroyer premiered in Mystic Comics No. 6 and enjoyed a brief time in the spotlight of Marvel’s early heroes, quickly fading into obscurity.
Stan Lee was born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922, in New York. Growing up after the First World War and during the early part of the Great Depression, Lee and his younger brother, Larry, saw his parents struggling to make ends meet for the family. As a child, his life was influenced by reading and watching movies, and also by his mother’s and his creative side. As a teen, he dreamt of writing ‘The Great American Novel’. After graduating from high school at age 16, he was hired as a gofer and editorial assistant at Timely Comics and soon promoted as editor.
Stan Lee (originally named Stanley Martin Lieber) was born on December 28, 1922, in New York.
Yes, Stan Lee’s parents were Romanian immigrants. Stan Lee, whose birth name was Stanley Martin Lieber, was born on December 28, 1922, in New York City to Romanian-born Jewish immigrants Celia and Jack Lieber.
Yes, Stan Lee had two daughters. His first daughter was Joan Celia Lee, born in 1950 to his wife, Joan Boocock Lee. Unfortunately, their second daughter, named Jan Lee, passed away three days after her birth in 1953.
Stan Lee’s first superhero was the Destroyer, created in collaboration with artist Jack Binder. The character first appeared in “Mystic Comics #6” in August 1941. Although this was one of his early creations, it was not as well-known or influential as some of his later characters, such as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men.
Spider-Man was one of the favorite co-creations of the Marvel chairman emeritus Stan Lee. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Lee said why he liked Spider-Man: “He’s the one who’s most like me – nothing ever turns out 100 percent OK; he’s got a lot of problems, and he does things wrong, and I can relate to that.”
No, Spider-Man was not Stan Lee’s first creation, his first superhero was Destroyer, created in 1941. Spider-Man, a superhero created by then writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, first appeared in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy No. 15 in August 1962.
Lee was the co-creator and former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics.
Originally, Marvel was started as Timely Comics in 1939 by Martin Goodman, a pulp magazine publisher. The company became Marvel Comics in 1961, the year when it launched The Fantastic Four and other superhero titles created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and many others.
Stan Lee passed away on November 12, 2018. While he was an integral part of Marvel for many years, he was not actively involved in the company’s operations at the time of his passing.
Stan Lee is not the founder of DC Comics. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies and the first comic under the DC banner was published in 1937. The predecessor of DC Comics, National Allied Publications, was founded in Autumn 1934 by entrepreneur Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson.
Stan Lee is known primarily as the founder and first Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, but he also contributed material to DC Comics. He created the “Just Imagine…” comic book series, re-imagining some of the company’s most well-known, iconic characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Flash.
Stan Lee appeared in most Marvel Cinematic Universe films, since Iron Man in 2008, totaling 22 cameos in the MCU. Back in the 1960s, Lee’s likeness would be inserted occasionally in covers and inside the pages of the Marvel comics he was overseeing. Lee says that this was not his intention, and these are his words:
“The artists back then would draw me in as a joke or just to have fun. And I would put some dialogue balloons there and it looked as if I intended it. I didn’t try to do cameos in those days.”
“Anything that seemed fun and anything that the readers seemed to enjoy we kept doing and those things brought in a lot of fan mail. And we weren’t doing movies or television, our whole existence depended on comic books, so if you see that something is interesting to the fans you stay with it.”
Yes, Stan Lee made a cameo appearance in “Deadpool 2,” the 2018 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Deadpool. In “Deadpool 2,” Stan Lee’s cameo is a quick appearance. It’s quite easy to miss, as it features a large image of his face during a key action scene, without any spoken lines.
Yes, Stan Lee made a cameo appearance in the 2008 film “Iron Man,” which is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. In “Iron Man,” Tony Stark greets Stan Lee at a benefit, playfully calling him “Heff,” resembling Hugh Hefner, as Lee is surrounded by women, reminiscent of Hefner’s persona.
Yes, Stan Lee made a posthumous cameo appearance in the 2019 film “Avengers: Endgame”. The scene features the opening of Steppenwolf’s “Hey Lawdy Mama” and shows a white muscle car with a psychedelic bumper sticker that reads: ‘Nuff said.
Black Panther was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. The character made his first appearance in “Fantastic Four #52” in July 1966, during the Silver Age of Comic Books.
Stan Lee’s final film appearance was in the 2019 movie “Avengers: Endgame,” which was part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the film, he made a posthumous cameo appearance, a tradition that had become a hallmark of Marvel movies.
During World War II, Lee served in the United States Army Signal Corps. He entered the US Army in early 1942 and his duties included repairing telegraph wires and communications. He was later assigned to the Training Film Division, where he worked to create public relationship pieces, writing manuals, training films, slogans, and information-sharing documents.
According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Stan Lee had a net worth of $50 million dollars at the time of his death in November of 2018.
About the Stan Lee timeline
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