'Legend' Stan Lee remembered as a 'great storyteller' who 'changed the way we look at heroes'

Dubbed a "great storyteller," Stan Lee is credited with the creation of many beloved Marvel superheroes. His death at 95 years old stunned the world Monday.

As the top writer at Marvel Comics and later as its publisher, he revived the industry in the 1960s by offering the costumes and action craved by younger readers while insisting on sophisticated plots, college-level dialogue, satire, science fiction, even philosophy. He brought to life many characters, including Spider-Man, Black Panther, The Avengers and X-Men.

Comics writer Gerry Duggan said he was thankful for Lee's "many collaborations & [his] immeasurable kindness."

"We have lost Stan Lee, one of our great story-tellers. A writer and imaginer who created whole universes," said author R.L. Stine.

"No one has had more of an impact on my career and everything we do at Marvel Studios than Stan Lee. Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all. Our thoughts are with his daughter, his family, and his millions of fans," Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said.

Jim Lee, who worked at Marvel Comics as an artist and writer before becoming the co-publisher of DC Entertainment, credited the late author for giving him "a place to escape into -- an endless imaginative playground filled with the most amazing, fantastic and uncanny heroes ever."

"And through these characters, Stan Lee gave me my childhood and showed me the value of being different. To embrace heroism and shun prejudice. That it was cool to want to be the good guy and that there was a price to pay for not standing up for the downtrodden, the oppressed, the little guy," Jim Lee said.

"He changed the way we look at heroes, and modern comics will always bear his indelible mark. His infectious enthusiasm reminded us why we all fell in love with these stories in the first place," DC Comics said on social media. "Excelsior, Stan."

"There will never be another Stan Lee. For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy. He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives," "Captain America" star Chris Evans.

"Thanks for everything," said Ryan Reynolds, star of Marvel's "Deadpool" franchise.

"Black Panther" star Letitia Wright simply said, "Rest in Peace Stan Lee."

"You gave us characters that continue to stand the test of time and evolve with our consciousness. You taught us that there are no limits to our future as long as we have access to our imagination. Rest in power!" said "Black Panther" actor Winston Duke.

"Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special," actor Seth Rogan said.

"When Marvel issued 'Sledge Hammer!' comic books, Stan Lee and I would have delightful conversations. After the series ended, Stan phoned me. I wondered why since we had no business together. 'I just called to chat,' Stan laughed, 'I’m allowed to like you, aren’t I?'" writer Alan Spencer shared in a Twitter tribute.

Actor and musician Ice T said he was able to meet Lee before his death.

Rapper Juicy J shared a photo to social media, saying "a few years ago we got a chance to hang out with the legend." He said Lee was a "cool guy."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.