Kirby definitely didn't get the credit he deserved for his part in the creation of many of the iconic characters, however Stan Lee played a huge part in their creation as well. He was also the public face of Marvel and the person with whom comic fans interacted. My brother put it pretty succinctly yesterday when we were talking about Lee's death. He said, "He was the P.T. Barnum of comics." He was the larger-than-life personality who elevated comic books to a cultural phenomenon. While Kirby and Ditko should absolutely be acknowledged for their contributions, the fact is that they weren't the evangelist for comics the way that Stan Lee was. He lived a long and good life that, sadly, saw him taken advantage of in his declining years. I will miss his presence, but am happy for the joy he brought.
