Today’s Character Corner shines a bright light on a true legend of the hero universe and now Disney universe as well. As we approach the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, there’s another important centennial of note…
Stanley Leiber, best known as Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee, was born December 28, 1922. 100 years later, fans can visit many of his iconic characters at Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.
Stan Lee’s Super Heroes at Avengers Campus
To commemorate his centenary, here are just a few of the super heroes and more that Stan Lee helped create who have appeared in the land since its grand opening in 2021!
Agatha Harkness was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Her first appearance was in Fantastic Four #94 (January 1970). Agatha has appeared at the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween parties at Avengers Campus as well as on Disney+ Day.
Ant-Man (Hank Pym) was created by writers Stan Lee and Larry Lieber and artist Jack Kirby. The original version of the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27 (January 1962). However, it is the later version of Ant-Man, Scott Lang, who has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened.
Black Panther (T’Challa) was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966). T’Challa has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened, doing both meet & greets and protecting the area from the Taskmaster in the Avengers Assemble stunt show.
Black Widow (Natasha Romanov) was created by writers Stan Lee and Don Rico and artist Don Heck. She first appeared in Tales of Suspense #52 (April 1964). Natasha Romanoff (which is the MCU spelling vs. comics) has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened, doing both meet & greets and protecting the area from the Taskmaster in the Avengers Assemble stunt show.
Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan. He first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (December 1967). However, it is the later version of Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, who has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened.
Doctor Strange was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Strange Tales #110 (July 1963). Doctor Strange has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened, doing both meet & greets and teaching the Mysteries of the Mystic Arts in his magic show.
Falcon (Sam Wilson) was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan. He first appeared in Captain America #117 (September 1969). However, it is Sam’s more recent iteration as Captain America who has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened.
Groot was created by writers Stan Lee and Larry Lieber and artist Jack Kirby. He first appeared in Tales to Astonish #13 (November 1960). Groot has been seen periodically after Avengers Campus opened.
Hawkeye (Clint Barton) was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. He first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 (September 1964). Hawkeye has stopped by Avengers Campus seasonally in the holiday Avengers Assemble stunt show along with the newest version of Hawkeye, Kate Bishop.
Hulk (Bruce Banner) was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. He first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962). Hulk recently debuted at Avengers Campus for a limited time during the summer of 2022.
Iron Man (Tony Stark) was created by writers Stan Lee and Larry Lieber and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. He first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 (March 1963). Iron Man has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened.
Jane Foster was created by writers Stan Lee and Larry Lieber and artist Jack Kirby. She first appeared in Journey into Mystery #84 (September 1962). Jane Foster, in her Mighty Thor incarnation, recently visited Avengers Campus for a limited time during the summer of 2022.
Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. Her first appearance was in The X-Men #4 (March 1964). Scarlet Witch recently visited Avengers Campus for a limited time during the summer of 2022.
She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) was created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema. She first appeared in The Savage She-Hulk #1 (February 1980). While She-Hulk has not yet appeared at Avengers Campus, her advertising has!
Spider-Man was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962). Spider-Man has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened, doing both meet & greets and showing off his web-swinging skills in his own stunt show, The Amazing Spider-Man!
Thor was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. He first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 (August 1962). Thor has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened.
Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. She first appeared in Tales to Astonish #44 (June 1963). However, it is the later version of The Wasp, Hope van Dyne, who has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened.
And while it can be argued whether he is a hero or a villain, another of Stan Lee’s most popular characters can also be seen regularly at Avengers Campus:
Loki in his most familiar incarnation was created by writers Stan Lee and Larry Lieber and artist Jack Kirby. This version first appeared in Journey into Mystery #85 (October 1962), although he made a previous very differently-styled appearance in Venus #6 (August 1949).
Loki has been a regular character at Avengers Campus since it opened and appeared in various costumes during the run of “Loki” on Disney+.
Honoring the Legendary Stan Lee
This was just a sampling of Stan Lee’s many, many character creations over the course of his amazingly inventive lifetime and we can only hope more of his characters will appear at Avengers Campus in the future.
Visionary creators like Walt Disney and Stan Lee have helped shape popular culture for the past century through their storytelling prowess and limitless imaginations and it wouldn’t be surprising if their influence lasts for another 100 years!
Here’s a great tribute video from IGN that shows all the Stan Lee cameos in Marvel films. He is missed:
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Let’s Hear From You
Who is your favorite character that Stan Lee helped create? Have you seen that character at Avengers Campus? Who has yet to appear that you still hope to meet one day? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Excelsior!