(Originally posted to Facebook. Generated about 40 reactions and a couple of comments.)
I'm not gonna share any RIP articles, because I'm sure that anyone who cares has seen the news. I'm just gonna say this:
When I was 15, I identified with Peter Parker, some 20 years after the character was created. Some 20 years after that, my 15 year old step-son identified with Peter Parker. There are 15 year old kids today, 55 years after the creation of the character, who identify with Peter Parker. He has appeared in comics, novels, cartoons and movies... even live-action television, if you count "The Electric Company."
In 2000 years, kids *may* still learn about Hercules, who was challenged with 12 great labors and eventually achieved godhood. Maybe. However, it is far more likely that they will learn about a teenager who was bitten by a radioactive spider and learned that, "With great power comes great responsibility."
Thanks for everything, Stan. You may be missed, but you will always be remembered. Excelsior!
