Mister Jacob's Citadel

           Modern American popular culture and western popular culture as we know it can be largely attributed to three men: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko. Lee's death yesterday means that none of these legends are here on this planet anymore. An era of comic books has come to a close. We'll never see anyone like Stan, Jack, and Steve ever again. If we're lucky we may see a burgeoning new form of art begin to flourish as we enter our twilight years, but that's a long shot.      Stan Lee's story is more complex than the media will probably report on in the next few days. His story is being a member of a religious group that has been historically persecuted and discriminated against, but managing to survive, thrive, and be ultimately accepted. Stan Lee's story is that of letting fame get the better of you, forgetting the friends that helped you along the way, and ultimately realizing too late in life you made a mistake by abandoning ...