Stan Lee and "Redemption Equals Death"

[gurkle]

I think it's clear that Stan Lee's favorite plot was the guy who repents at the last minute, and then dies. He did this so many times with so many different artists, sometimes even with the same lines.

The most famous story of this type, of course, is "This Man, This Monster" (Fantastic Four #51) where an anonymous bad guy switches places with Ben Grimm and then winds up sacrificing himself to save Reed.



But Stan had used the same line about dying like a man when Betty Brant's criminal brother got killed trying to protect her from gunfire.



And there was also Simon Williams in Avengers #9, who became Wonder Man, attacked the Avengers, and then sacrificed his life to save them. And that was the last time we were ever supposed to see him, ha ha ha.

[gurkle]

In Thor 174, a guy sacrifices himself at the last minute when Thor reminds him that his beloved mother will also be a victim of the evil plan.



And the story of Jameson's ex-con assistant Frederick Foswell, begun by Ditko, ended when Lee killed him off, of course, trying to save Jameson.



Even writers who were merely trained by Stan got into the act, like this ending from Avengers #43 by Roy Thomas:



I'm sure I've missed other examples of this plot. It is definitely a Stan Lee trademark. Someone should ask him why he did it so often, only he'd probably claim he doesn't remember and then say Excelsior!

[ekrolo2]

This would be the only way to at least marginally redeem Tony Stark, who's easily become one of the most vile and despicable assholes in Marvel continuity. Which is quite the accomplishment given most of their heroes are almost as bad as him these days.

[John Ossie]

LOL He definitely loved doing that didn't he? I hadn't really noticed as I haven't read much of his Avengers work, though I've read his Spider-Man stuff. Haven't had a chance to read his F4 stuff yet either.

[Reviresco]

Great thread, gurkle! And well researched and presented. Of course, now I can't get the phrase, "died like a man" out of my head. LOL!