Associated Press | FileIn this Jan. 10, 1976, file photo, Stan Lee, standing, publisher of Marvel Comics, discusses a “Spiderman” comic book cover with artist John Romita at Marvel headquarters in New York. Comic book genius Lee, the architect of the contemporary comic book, has died. He was 95.

Stan Lee has been remembered for many things in the days since his death at 95.

The creator/co-creator of a pantheon of characters: The Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Daredevil, Dr. Strange, the Mighty Thor, the Avengers, the X-Men, etc.

His characters and stories were adventurous, larger-than-life, and have inspired generations of readers and artists and writers who have continued the struggles of his characters. His creations have fueled the Marvel Cinematic Universe which has become the most successful movie franchise in history.

But his Marvel Universe was also a place of something else.

Hope.

Even in the face of the tragic death of his Uncle Ben, Peter Parker learned that for Spider-Man with great powers comes great responsibility. And the world was a better place because one person took the responsibility of using his powers for the good.

Tony Stark was held prisoner, his heart damaged, but he used his intellect to not only create a mechanism to save his life but an Iron Man to be free.

Matt Murdoch lost his sight as a boy after being struck by a truck carrying radioactive materials but gained extra-sensory perceptions when coupled with disciplined training turned him into Daredevil, the Man Without Fear.

The Fantastic Four’s characters are family and they argue like family, but when the chips are down, they have each others’ backs. When the devourer of worlds Galactus arrives on Earth, they again put their squabbles aside to face the global threat.

But not even the FF can stop Galactus. Not alone. They are aided by the Silver Surfer, the very herald of Galactus, who finds some spark in humanity worth fighting for. So, the Silver Surfer, who had long found planets for the devourer to consume, turns against Galactus.

They are also helped by the Watcher, a creature from a race that never interferes in the happenings of other civilizations. The Watchers simply watch. Except here, the Watcher gives Reed Richards, the leader of the FF, a device that will stop Galactus.

The Watcher helps stall the hand of Galactus because he sees the potential of humanity – a destiny for a place of greatness not only on Earth but in the entire cosmos.

Stan Lee infused his stories with this kind of hope. A powerful kind of hope that inspired many a young kid to see they could be bigger than their problems, that they could be brave, that they could make a difference, that they could overcome even larger adversities.

That they could dare to hope.

Hope that humanity was greater than its history. That we are destined for greatness even though it won’t be an easy thing to achieve.

We can only do it if we dare.

And Stan Lee dared to dream it for generations.