Summary of Excelsior!: The Amazing Life of Stan Lee, by Stan Lee and George Mair

Buckle up, true believers! In Excelsior! Stan Lee takes us on a wild ride through his life, a saga filled with superhero shenanigans, comic book capers, and just a smidge of regret over not making a sidekick out of that one neighbor who never returned his lawnmower.

Stan Lee, the man behind the Marvel universe (yes, that Stan Lee), tells his incredible story like he's narrating a superhero origin tale-complete with dramatic twists and lots of dialogue that sound suspiciously like something Spider-Man would say. Born Stanley Martin Lieber in 1922, he started his illustrious career at Timely Comics, where he probably thought, "Hmm, what can I do to become a legendary comic book creator? Maybe create a super-powered spider person?" Spoiler: it worked!

One of the key highlights of his life is his relentless hustle. Stan didn't just sit around waiting for inspiration to strike like Thor's hammer. No, he was busy working on writing scripts, drawing, editing, and trying desperately to convince the world that superheroes could be relatable beings (as if we wouldn't want to hang out with a guy who has a shield made of vibranium!).

The rise of Marvel is like watching a group of misfit toys band together to save Christmas. Stan, along with his buddy Jack Kirby and later Steve Ditko, created a roster of characters-Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and oh-so-many more-who all had real problems. You know, like dealing with villains, failing relationships, and the tragic burden of too much responsibility. Yep, Stan was all about the human side of superheroes. Who knew superheroes had feelings?

We also learn about his early struggles in the industry. The man didn't just get handed a golden pen; he barely scraped by at times, which makes his success even more impressive. It's like retroactively cheering for every underdog story you ever watched-this guy went from writing comics in his mom's basement to being a household name! He even got to cameo in all those Marvel movies, which is basically like Bruce Wayne giving us a nod while fighting the Joker.

And, oh boy, the controversies! Stan faced a fair share of critics over the years-some thought he was too commercial, some even questioned his authorship on certain projects. But he bravely defended his creations like a true superhero, because who else is going to don the shield for your characters other than the guy who invented them?

As we reach the end of the memoir, prepare for the emotional punches! Stan reflects on his legacy. There's a touching acknowledgment of his late wife Joan, which will definitely bring a tear to your eye, so have tissues handy! He reminds us that every story ends but the legends live on, leaving us to ponder: if a superhero can inspire countless people, what's stopping the rest of us? Maybe we just need a spandex suit and some web-shooters-and to not take ourselves too seriously.

In conclusion, Excelsior! is less of a boring textbook and more of a snazzy guide through the extraordinary life of Stan Lee. It's packed with laughter, nostalgia, and enough comic book magic to make even the grumpiest of readers crack a smile. So grab your comic book, kick back, and get ready to put on your superhero cape-because this is one life story you'll want to experience!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.