Stan Lee was larger than life

To the editor:

Larger than comics, larger than life. The late Stan Lee used the power of his legacy, to uphold his responsibility to be a force for positivity in this world. Just like his creation, Spider-man.

We all need more joy and kindness, especially today. Stan’s unflappable optimism helped him live to 95, and for his Marvelous characters to live forever.

Now it’s up to all of us true believers to carry on his spirit. Through his characters, and his personal example, he taught me – and many others – to read, to dream, to laugh, to empathize, to seek knowledge, to aspire, and to do the right thing. He taught us it’s always better to be a hero, than a villain. And he gave us so many amazing fantasies along the way.

As a professional magician and entertainer, he has been my greatest influence, outside of family, my entire life.

During my fortunate eight different meetings with Stan Lee over the years, I have been lucky enough to perform magic for him, in 2010, at his VIP Party in Toronto. I was able to sit and have a drink with him, to ask him questions about his childhood and favourite music, and even present him with a Spider-man balloon. You’ll be happy to hear he’s every bit as genuine and fun in person as you could hope him to be.

My loving Mom made me a Spidey suit as a kid, while Dad bought me Stan Lee’s comics every month to my excited and eternal gratitude. Years later, thanks to all this, yours truly climbed down one of Halifax’s tallest buildings in red-andblue Spidey tights, for charity. I will always remember saying to him, in person, “You’re the Man, Stan.” His immediate response, with a twinkle in his eye, was, “You’re right!”

In 2016, for his final Canadian appearance, my arm was around him tightly, when I got to say during our last encounter: “I love you, Stan Lee.” Again, with the joyous smile of a man who has lived a full life, he replied with the purest kindness in his voice: “Thanks! It’s great to be loved!”

One last quote of inspiration, from the greatest legend in comics history: “Entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it, they might go off the deep end. I feel if you’re able to entertain people, you’re doing a good thing.”

Let’s all raise a Merry Marvel Magic glass to the life and legacy of a true super hero.

David Johnston,

(The Amazing Mr. J)

Truro