When icons pass they remind us not just of our own fragility, but also of our potential power. The trails they blaze inspire us and boost us to greatness. 

Stan Lee wasn’t just a writer, he was a word-magician, a conjurer who dreamed up powerful heroes and villains who touched us all and changed lives.

Without him there would be no Spiderman, Iron Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four or even The Hulk. What he made was truly a "Marvel."

We loved his creations because underneath all the armor and superpowers, their fears matched our own.

Despite their otherworldliness they were very real. And he was smart enough to let them mingle together like we do with our friends.

They were extensions of the human soul, the magical part that we all secretly believe we have.

He took on issues and injustice in way that educated and entertained. He was openly against bigotry and racism. He wrote they are “the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today." And that was in 1968.

Much has changed since then, but what he leaves us with is still the same. The need to rise up against stupidity and fight what seem to be unbelievable odds and grapple our lives heroically with pride, self-power and a sense of humor.

His work ethic was heroic. His output, superhuman.

And the films grossed over $17 billion. Basically, he saved the movie industry.

His daughter said of him:

“He loved his life and he loved what he did for a living. His family loved him and his fans loved him.”

In essence, his fans fueled his creativity.

He titled his 2002 autobiography, "Excelsior!" a Latin word he always signed off with, that translated as "ever upward" or "still higher."

He may be gone but his spirit will eternally be driving the little kid inside all of us to go “ever upward.”