Stan Lee: Reports Claim That Marvel Legend Has Died Aged 95

Marvel supremo and comic book kingpin Stan Lee has died at the age of 95 years old, according to Reuters.

It is reported that Lee was rushed to the Cedar-Sinai Medical Centre - not far from his Hollywood Hills home - on Monday morning. He was then pronounced dead at the hospital.

Lee had been laid low with several illnesses in recent times, including problems with his eyes and a bout of pneumonia.

The Fantastic Four was Lee's first Marvel endeavour back in 1961. He then went on to create Spider-Man, The Avengers, Iron Man, X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, and Black Panther to name just a few.

He also appeared in all of Marvel's movies - from 2000's X-Men onwards - in a cameo role, with the latest Sony/Marvel film Venom possibly his last ever film credit.

Lee was born in 1922 in Manhattan, New York. He wrote many of Marvel's long-running series' in his early years with company, also directing the artwork as well as writing a monthly column entitled 'Stan's Soapbox'.

The column was used during much of his career to campaign for equality, as well as against discrimination and prejudice.

Lee also served in the US Army in 1942 as part of their Signal Corps. Upon returning from World War II in 1945, he resumed his comic book career.

In the days shortly after Marvel moved into Hollywood films, Stan had a lengthy legal battle with the company. That 2002 lawsuit resulted in a $10m settlement for royalties from the first Spider Man movie.

Lee's wife of nearly 70 years - who is also named Joan - died last year.

Since his death, tributes have been pouring in from around the world. Ryan Reynolds - star of Marvel's Deadpool" films - said: "Damn... RIP Stan. Thanks for everything."

Fellow film star Seth Rogen also said: "Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special."

RIP Stan. Excelsior!