Comic fans can breathe easy. After a brief scare last week, Stan Lee, the co-creator of many of Marvel Comics’ most iconic characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men and Iron-Man, is doing alright.
Rumors of possible health problems flared up when the legendary writer and former chairman of Marvel Comics canceled appearances at the Ohio Comic Con and an Authors! Authors! event in Toledo.
At the time, no explanation was given for the cancelations other than a statement by Lee’s agent that it was “a very serious circumstance.”
It was also reported that Lee would not be able to attend any public events “for the near future.”
In May of this year, the 89-year-old author was forced to drop out of a scheduled appearance at the Hero Complex Film Festival due to fatigue, prompting speculation about his health.
In the last few days, though, sources close to Lee have tried to downplay the seriousness of his condition, telling fans to disregard the “gossip.”
On Sept. 28, however, Lee released an official statement by way of his company, POW! Entertainment, that revealed, in typical Stan Lee fashion, the cause of his absence at the Ohio conventions:
"Attention, Troops!
"This is a dispatch sent from your beloved Generalissimo, directly from the center of Hollywood’s combat zone!
"Now hear this! Your leader hath not deserted thee! In an effort to be more like my fellow Avenger, Tony Stark, I have had an electronic pace-maker placed near my heart to insure that I’ll be able to lead thee for another 90 years.
"But fear thee not, my valiant warriors. I am in constant touch with our commanders in the field and victory shall soon be ours. Now I must end this dispatch and join my troops, for an army without a leader is like a day without a cameo!"
The release was signed, "Excelsior!"
Lee is still scheduled to appear at the New York Comic Con in October. It is anticipate that he will continue to pop up in future Marvel superhero movies.
A native of Utah Valley and a devoted cinephile, Jeff is currently studying humanities and history at Brigham Young University.