Marvel fans are still processing comic book icon, Stan Lee’s death. A new petition proposes a way for Lee to be remembered in the city that he used as the setting for so much of his work.

What is the petition’s goal and how far is it from getting all of its signatures? Here is everything you need to know.

Stan Lee died in 2018 at the age of 95

The Marvel Comics co-creator died in 2018 at the age of 95. He was fighting off several illnesses that year including pneumonia, according to TMZ.

His daughter, J.C. gave a statement at the time with “My father loved all of his fans. He was the greatest, most decent man.”

Lee and Jack Kirby started Marvel with Fantastic Four in 1961. It then grew to more characters including Spider-Man, Black Panther, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, Iron Man.

Lee is from the Bronx and most of his heroes are in New York

The creator hailed from the Bronx, which is probably a big reason why New York is the setting for so many of his stories. He also didn’t want to use fake locations in the city.

“When Stan Lee embarked on including New York as a character in our books, he said, ‘I want it to be real New York. I want it to be the local bridges, the local subways, the streets,’” John Romita Sr., a Marvel Comics artist said in the TV documentary Marvel Superheroes Guide To New York City. “It was a natural for us since the people who worked at Marvel lived in New York.”

Some of the specific addresses had connections to the comic book creators.
Dr. Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum’s address is 177A Bleecker Street. Colleagues of Lee once lived there, according to the New York Times.

When Lee died, many responded to the heartbreaking news including Mayor Bill de Blasio. He tweeted, “Stan Lee created some of the most incredible and enduring characters of our time, and he chose New York City as the place to tell their stories. On behalf of his hometown, I want to express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo also tweeted, ” [email protected] was a true New Yorker whose limitless imagination helped create some of the most beloved characters in popular culture and made NYC just as big of a character. Excelsior! Mr. Lee and condolences to his many fans on behalf of the New York Family.”

There is a petition asking for 150,000 signatures to get a statue of him in New York City

Fans want to keep his memory alive through a statue. There is a petition to New York City Council on Change.org asking for 150,000 signatures to get the ball moving.

“Stan Lee, co-creator of Marvel Comics, and all-round icon, died at the age of 95 on 12th November 2018. A statue in his honour would seem only fair to keep his memory alive,” reads the page.

David Gourlay is listed as the petition starter. Gourlay wrote more about wanting the statue to be made. “I’m starting this petition, because I have enjoyed and respected his work, like many others over the years, and think a statue in his honour would be right for keeping his memory alive.”

The petition currently has 92,766 signatures so it is more than halfway from its goal. You can sign the petition on Change.org.

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