American comic giant honored by Chinese comic lovers

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“My favorite superhero is Spiderman. He's like a friendly neighborhood guy. It's so cool when a normal person turns into a superhero,” said Chen Hongyu, who described himself as a "professional" Marvel fan.

The creator of Chen's favorite superhero, Stan Lee, passed away on November 12 in Hollywood, but he practically left us with a universe. His creations are also honored a world away in China.

Lee is known for his down-to-earth characters, such as Spiderman and Captain America, who rose to become superheroes from humble beginnings. Characters like "the friendly neighborhood" Spiderman are hugely popular in China.

“I like Spiderman. He is about my age, and have to deal with many daily predicaments as we all do. I feel I can relate to him."

Stan Lee's superheroes now occupy a strong and firm place in China's pop culture. However, unlike their American fans, who grew up reading the comic books, Chinese fans were drawn in by the Hollywood movies.

“Lots of movies and TV series based in the Marvel universe have entered China in the recent ten years and they have accumulated a large fan base. Many fans would then go find the comic books the movies are based on, and find out the story behind the movies," said Song Jian, who is a store manager of Polyphony, a comic store in the heart of Beijing's Sanlitun, an area known for pop culture and nightlife.

Some Chinese Marvel fans gather at a local movie theater to watch Marvel films, paying special tribute to Stan Lee in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, November 13, 2018. /VCG Photo

Superhero movies such as "Avengers: Infinity War" are among the highest-grossing films in China. In return, the popularizing of Marvel's superhero movies drives up the sale of comic books in China.

"Many people are coming in to buy issues of 'Venom' because the movie adaptation was just released on the Chinese mainland," said Song.

Stan Lee had a habit of making cameo appearances in Marvel movies, which gives Chinese moviegoers, who might not be familiar with Lee or comic books, a chance to know the man behind their favorite superheroes.

“He had created such a large and complex universe. It's a shame we won't be able to find his cameo in future Marvel movies. But the superheroes he created are a legacy for us all," said Zhao Longming, one of Song's usual customers.

"He was such a creative man. His superheroes are an inspiration for us all. They provide us with so much positive vibe, and keep encouraging us to be a better self," said Chen Hongyu.

That's what Stan Lee left behind, a universe full of imagination, and inspiration to people a world over.

(Cover: Some Chinese Marvel fans take photos with posters of Marvel films at a local movie theater, where they gathered to pay special tribute to Stan Lee in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, November 13, 2018. /VCG Photo)