Warning: contains spoilers for Avengers #52!
When Stan Lee passed away in 2018, the world of Marvel Comics changed irrevocably – and even the characters within the fictional world are aware of his profound loss. Most Marvel heroes and villains aren’t aware of the medium in which they appear, with the notable exceptions of Deadpool and She-Hulk. But in Avengers #52, a key Marvel villain admits that Stan Lee’s loss was noticed, and that Marvel’s best days are behind them.
To say Stan Lee shaped the modern world of comics is a drastic understatement. He created dozens, even hundreds, of memorable superheroes and villains, each with their own struggles that made them immediately relatable to readers. The Fantastic Four lacked secret identities and fought amongst themselves as often as they fought villains. The X-Men tackled complex subjects like deeply-rooted racism, homophobia and antisemitism, all told via the allegory of mutant rights. His most notable creation was undoubtedly Spider-Man, a teenage superhero (a first for the era) who struggled with paying the rent, maintaining a relationship, and balancing super heroics with becoming an adult. His stories shaped the Marvel 616 universe – a universe now on the decline.
In Avengers #52, cyborg assassins known as Deathloks appear before Captain America and Captain Marvel, warning them of an imminent trans-universal threat. Sure enough, the Black Skull and the Ghost Goblin – hunters – attack the Deathloks, and one of them admits they shouldn’t have led them to the “important” 616 reality. A disagreement arises between Deathloks during the battle; one isn’t sure how the 616 universe can be so important at all. “From what I’ve seen, its heroes are either tarnished and diminished or underbaked and unrealized. When it comes to earths…I’d say this one’s best days are behind it. The sort of days that will never come again.”
Stan Lee’s death was undoubtedly a huge loss that rocked the comics industry and even the entertainment industry as a hole. However, one must remember that prior to his passing, Lee was not as active in his own company as much as he used to be. Some of the most iconic stories were created with minimal input from Lee (The Night Gwen Stacy Died, to cite a notable example), or created without his guidance at all. While the Deathlok’s comment could be read as a disgruntled Marvel fan who decries the modern state of Marvel, it’s quickly followed by another Deathlok who believes that the 616 universe has a bright future ahead, and specifically singles out Captain America, Captain Marvel, Ghost Rider, Echo and Namor.
The Deathloks’ comments regarding the 616 universe are perhaps indicative of a divide between Marvel fans. One group believes the company died with the founder and has been on a steady decline ever since. The other half believe that Stan Lee’s influence will be felt long after his death, and the Marvel Comics universe has a bright future ahead.
