With the passing of Stan Lee, not only have we lost one of comics’ greatest creators, we have lost the greatest ambassador that the comic book medium has ever had. Many people found their inspiration in the pages of Marvel Comics, and would tell you in their own words how Stan “The Man” was responsible for helping them get to where they are today.

We’ve gathered several posts from social media from various creators from all walks of the entertainment industry—some from within the worlds of Marvel, and some who just loved Lee for giving him their childhoods. All of them have taken to thanking him for an incredible legacy of stories, and for everything else that he gave us.

No one has had more of an impact on my career and everything we do at Marvel Studios than Stan Lee. Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all. Our thoughts are with his daughter, his family, and his millions of fans. #ThankYouStan #Excelsior!

— Kevin Feige (@Kevfeige) November 12, 2018

 

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This is how I’ll always see you, @therealstanlee: as our benevolent leader and king, smiling down from your eternal throne on the generations of imaginations you fed and inspired. You were the first creator whose voice I knew before I’d ever actually heard it. You dreamed up some of my favorite modern myths and created characters that instilled in me a moral barometer, teaching me right from wrong and showing me it’s always better to be a hero instead of a villain. Your characters represented us: yes, they had extraordinary, unbelievable abilities, but they were also reflections of a world we knew, where a Spider-Man is really just a boy who wants to help. You showed me how to interact with the audience whenever you stepped onto Stan’s Soapbox to reach out to the readers. You showed me how to advocate for my field beyond the actual art itself whenever you tub thumped for comic books outside of the medium. It was never enough for you to simply make a comic because you were a true salesman at heart. So you not only sold comics, you sold me *on* comics – so much so that I built a life and career around your dreams and ideals. When you did Mallrats with us, you not only made a lifelong fan’s dream come true, you also lent me comic book credibility that I still get to spend today. And whether it was for @comicbookmenamc or @yogahosers, whenever I asked to borrow your heat again, you were always there for me with a smile. Your love story with Joanie and your long, happy marriage always shined as an example of what I wanted for my personal life. I long admired (and emulated) your kindness and patience and sense of humor when dealing with your public. Outside of my parents, you were the one adult who gave me the most useful life skills I still use today. Thank you, Stan, for making me not only the boy I was but also the man I am today. You had great power and you always used it responsibly, fostering billions of dreamers who all know your name – a name written in the stars for all time. You were not just the literary titan of comic books, you were our modern day Mark Twain. I will miss you all my days, my friend and hero. Excelsior forevermore. #KevinSmith #StanLee

A post shared by Kevin Smith (@thatkevinsmith) on Nov 12, 2018 at 12:22pm PST

Stan Lee was an icon and for many people, the face of comic books. His passing brings great sadness, but I take solace in knowing that what my grandfather, Stan and so many others like them gave us, will continue to inspire both young and old across the globe! RIP Stan. pic.twitter.com/b41IRBU3lY

— Jeremy Kirby (@jackkirbycomics) November 12, 2018

We’ve lost a creative genius. Stan Lee was a pioneering force in the superhero universe. I’m proud to have been a small part of his legacy and …. to have helped bring one of his characters to life. #StanLee #Wolverine pic.twitter.com/iOdefi7iYz

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 12, 2018

Today we lost one of the greats. @TheRealStanLee, you were a inspiration and superhero to us all. Thank you for contributing so much- and giving us all something to aspire to! 💚
#ripstanlee pic.twitter.com/GzFhwgU0WA

— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) November 12, 2018

 

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How many millions of us are indebted to this guy, none more so than me. The father of Marvel has made so many people so incredibly happy. What a life and what a thing to have achieved. Rest in peace Stan

A post shared by ✌️ (@tomholland2013) on Nov 12, 2018 at 11:54am PST

There will never be another Stan Lee. For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy. He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives. Excelsior!!

— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) November 12, 2018

Sad, sad day. Rest In Power, Uncle Stan. You have made the world a better place through the power of modern mythology and your love of this messy business of being human… pic.twitter.com/x6yZ6ClNSX

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 12, 2018

Rest in Peace Stan Lee. A true world builder… https://t.co/QSGkrJ4Om3

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 12, 2018

Damn… RIP Stan. Thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/TMAaDJSOhh

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 12, 2018

 

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I owe it all to you,,, Rest In Peace Stan… #MCU #Excelsior #legend #rip #stanlee #TeamStark ( 📸 @jimmy_rich )

A post shared by Robert Downey Jr. (@robertdowneyjr) on Nov 12, 2018 at 11:26am PST

Stan Lee created a universe where, if a character was beloved enough, they could never really die.

Now THAT’S thinking ahead.

Thanks for so much of my life. You’ll never not be in it.

— Joss Whedon (@joss) November 12, 2018

I am so very, very sad to hear of my friend @TheRealStanLee’s passing. He is a legend and his work with live on through the ages. EXCELSIOR! #RIPStanLee pic.twitter.com/5aDVvUMY53

— Elvira (@TheRealElvira) November 12, 2018

Rest In Peace @TheRealStanLee #legend #StanLee #StanLeeRIP pic.twitter.com/acQpyBxCqk

— Alex Ross (@thealexrossart) November 12, 2018

Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special.

— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) November 12, 2018

What a man. What a life.
When I first broke into Hollywood, he welcomed me with open arms and some very sage advice I’ll forever take to heart.
A true icon who impacted generations around the world.
Rest in love, my friend. #imagination #stanlee 💫 pic.twitter.com/dw3FXMgyHp

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 12, 2018

Stan Lee
Thank you for bringing life to our heroes. You will be greatly missed. https://t.co/j5SmYunheq pic.twitter.com/XqkJ2ed8pr

— The Gifted (@TheGiftedonFOX) November 12, 2018

Stan…more than a master of stories, you always seemed like a master of living. I will look to you for inspiration for the rest of my life. You live on. xoxo Your Wasp
.
#liveon #StanLee pic.twitter.com/JRA2aRM3bG

— Evangeline Lilly (@EvangelineLilly) November 12, 2018

Today, we pause and reflect with great sadness on the passing of Stan Lee. https://t.co/CrebM60drv pic.twitter.com/vcrwBb1tmF

— Agents of SHIELD (@AgentsofSHIELD) November 12, 2018

Today, Marvel Comics and The Walt Disney Company pause and reflect with great sadness on the passing of its Chairman Emeritus, Stan Lee: https://t.co/LQSQGimt9M pic.twitter.com/0qLbGsZl0z

— Walt Disney Company (@WaltDisneyCo) November 12, 2018

Did Stan Lee inspire you as much as he did all of us? Be sure to share your thoughts on the comics legend with us down below in the comments.

Images: Marvel Comics