DK pays tribute to Stan Lee

Marvel books publisher DK has responded with “great sadness” to the death of Stan Lee, the creative genius behind the Marvel universe.

Simon Beecroft, publishing director of DK’s licensing division, said: “It was with great sadness that we at DK heard of the passing of Stan Lee, the endlessly inventive maestro of Marvel Comics. Amazingly, all these timeless Super Heroes, from Spider-Man and Hulk to the X- Men and the Avengers, were the products of one man’s imagination.”

DK has published many books based on Marvel characters, including next year’s Marvel Fearless and Fantastic! Female Super Heroes Save the World and Marvel Studios Ultimate Sticker Collection, both of which are due to be released in January. 

“Stan was always very appreciative of our efforts in celebrating the exploits of his supreme catalogue of Super Heroes and Super Villains”, said Beecroft. “The only predictable part of his writing was his inspiring sign-off: Excelsior! That word perfectly sums up the way we will remember Stan Lee.”

Lee’s long association with the company which would evolve into Marvel dates back to 1939. At various times during his career he was a writer, editor, producer, publisher and editor-in-chief and he helped Marvel develop from a comics producer to a multimedia giant.

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said in a statement: “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 the millions of fans who have been forever touched by Stan’s genius, charisma and heart.”

Lee died in hospital in Los Angeles, the US, aged 95.