We are crushed to learn that Stan Lee, the man himself, has passed away at 95 in a Los Angeles hospital.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that much of what we celebrate as geeks is thanks, in no small part, to him.

Stan Lee helped redefine the notion of a superhero, introducing us to flawed characters who had fantastic powers dealing with everyday problems. Through him, we met of a Spider-Man who learned how “with great power comes great responsibility” – perhaps one of the most famous moral philosophical statements in pop culture.

He was a visionary and his avuncular demeanor endeared him to generations of fans – including us. We will miss him terribly.

Rest in peace, Stan. Excelsior!