Stan Lee had to cancel a few appearances already, but, hopefully, he's on the mend.According to new reports from TMZ (a US celebrity news website), Stan Lee has been rushed to a hospital in California after falling ill at his home on Wednesday. Reports say the writer was suffering from shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat.
A spokesperson for Lee has commented on his hospitalisation and says he's "doing well and feeling good, he is staying there for a few days for some check ups as a safety precaution".
Lee’s health has been called into question by fans recently. The 95 year-old has cancelled two major appearances due to illness in the last year, but Lee has never revealed any specific health struggles he’s facing.
Earlier this year, Lee was forced to cancel an appearance at a National Hockey League game. The author and former Marvel editor-in-chief was meant to drop the first puck at the game in January. However, his appearance was cancelled, and no reason was given for the sudden change.
Last March, the comic icon also announced he would not be attending the Big Apple Comic Con in New York City. The event said Lee would not be able to come due to health issues.
Lee has cancelled previous appearances due to health concerns, but the beloved figure has been present for several recently public events. In fact, fans spotted Lee at the US premiere for Black Panther in Los Angeles this week. Lee was escorted down the red carpet and posed for photos with fans from a distance.
At 95 years old, Lee has become an enduring icon for all things geek. As the former leader of Marvel Comics, Lee worked with legendary creators such as Jack Kirby to build up many iconic superheroes including Captain America, Groot, and the Hulk.
Since stepping down from Marvel Comics, Lee has become a prolific supporter of all things superhero and remains a strong part of Marvel’s brand. Fans know to expect a special Lee cameo in each film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his frequent convention appearances has won him a massive fanbase of his own.