This is how I'll always see you, @therealstanlee: as our benevolent leader and king, smiling down from your eternal throne on the generations of imaginations you fed and inspired. You were the first creator whose voice I knew before I'd ever actually heard it. You dreamed up some of my favorite modern myths and created characters that instilled in me a moral barometer, teaching me right from wrong and showing me it's always better to be a hero instead of a villain. Your characters represented us: yes, they had extraordinary, unbelievable abilities, but they were also reflections of a world we knew, where a Spider-Man is really just a boy who wants to help. You showed me how to interact with the audience whenever you stepped onto Stan's Soapbox to reach out to the readers. You showed me how to advocate for my field beyond the actual art itself whenever you tub thumped for comic books outside of the medium. It was never enough for you to simply make a comic because you were a true salesman at heart. So you not only sold comics, you sold me *on* comics - so much so that I built a life and career around your dreams and ideals. When you did Mallrats with us, you not only made a lifelong fan's dream come true, you also lent me comic book credibility that I still get to spend today. And whether it was for @comicbookmenamc or @yogahosers, whenever I asked to borrow your heat again, you were always there for me with a smile. Your love story with Joanie and your long, happy marriage always shined as an example of what I wanted for my personal life. I long admired (and emulated) your kindness and patience and sense of humor when dealing with your public. Outside of my parents, you were the one adult who gave me the most useful life skills I still use today. Thank you, Stan, for making me not only the boy I was but also the man I am today. You had great power and you always used it responsibly, fostering billions of dreamers who all know your name - a name written in the stars for all time. You were not just the literary titan of comic books, you were our modern day Mark Twain. I will miss you all my days, my friend and hero. Excelsior forevermore. #KevinSmith #StanLee

213.6k Likes, 2,699 Comments - Kevin Smith (@thatkevinsmith) on Instagram: "This is how I'll always see you, @therealstanlee: as our benevolent leader and king, smiling down..."

First day of my life that I ever woke to a Stan Lee-less world. It sucks. Miss you, Spider-Friend. You made True Believers of us all... Eulogy Repost: This is how I'll always see you, @therealstanlee: as our benevolent leader & king, smiling down from your eternal throne on the generations of imaginations you fed & inspired. You were the 1st creator whose voice I knew before I'd ever heard it. You dreamed up some of my favorite modern myths & created characters that instilled in me a moral barometer, teaching me right from wrong & showing me it's always better to be a hero instead of a villain. Your characters represented us: yes, they had extraordinary, unbelievable abilities, but they were also reflections of a world we knew, where a Spider-Man is really just a boy who wants to help. You showed me how to interact with the audience whenever you stepped onto Stan's Soapbox to reach out to the readers. You showed me how to advocate for my field beyond the art itself whenever you tub thumped for comics. It was never enough for you to simply make a comic because you were a true salesman at heart, who not only sold comics, but sold me *on* comics - so much so that I built a life & career around your dreams & ideals. When you did Mallrats, you not only made a fan's dream come true, you also lent me comic book credibility that I still get to spend today. And whether it was for @comicbookmenamc or @yogahosers, whenever I asked to borrow your heat again, you were always there for me with a smile. Your love story with Joanie & your long, happy marriage shined as an example of what I wanted for my personal life. I admired (& emulated) your kindness & patience & sense of humor when dealing with your public. Outside of my parents, you were the adult who gave me the most useful life skills I still use today. Thank you for making me not only the boy I was but also the man I am today. You had great power & you always used it responsibly, fostering billions of dreamers who all know your name - a name written in the stars for all time. You were not just the titan of comics, you were our modern day Mark Twain. I will miss you all my days, my friend & hero. Excelsior forevermore!

157k Likes, 1,183 Comments - Kevin Smith (@thatkevinsmith) on Instagram: "First day of my life that I ever woke to a Stan Lee-less world. It sucks. Miss you, Spider-Friend...."

On the new #fatmanbeyond, during our Irish wake for @therealstanlee at the @scumandvillainycantina (which you can see at the link in my bio), I told folks about a clip of me directing Stan in @yogahosers that composer @christopher_drake had texted to me after Stan passed. This is that video. We had done the first take, during which Stan said "Goddamn Yoga Horses!" This is me "directing" my friend and icon to say #yogahosers instead. Makes me miss him even more... #KevinSmith #StanLee

34.9k Likes, 427 Comments - Kevin Smith (@thatkevinsmith) on Instagram: "On the new #fatmanbeyond, during our Irish wake for @therealstanlee at the @scumandvillainycantina..."