Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy has rocketed past the expectations of fans and critics into the fabled “good superhero game nebula.” After the tepid reception of Marvel’s Avengers (also by Square Enix), Guardians was a much needed boon to the Merry Marvel Marching Society. It is filled to bursting with Easter eggs from the greater Marvel universe, character skins, and an enriching story. It has closer ties to the comics’ Guardians than their movie counterparts. However, no Marvel property worth its red and white logo would be complete without a cameo from Stan “The Man” Lee. If the complete Guardian’s package comes together as a celebratory cosmic cake for the Guardians of the Galaxy, then Stan Lee's own cameo is the invincible, immortal, icing on top.

If you have gotten yourself the game and want to find the cameo for yourself, fear not, just follow these steps! During the sixth chapter of the game, you will find yourself on Knowhere, a location fans of the MCU will be pleased to see featured to such an extent. In the level you will be presented with a chance to enter The Collector’s Emporium. The only roadblock is the need for a ticket, which can be acquired in one of two ways. You can either obtain a free ticket during a meeting with an ally of Starlord, or use 5000 credits, which are naturally obtained during the course of the game, to purchase a ticket to see all of the Collector's collection. Inside, you will be able to take a close look at a bunch of different Marvel artifacts, ranging from Throg the Frog Thor to Yondu’s Yaka Arrow. Only one particular artifact towers above the rest. It is a humble pair of glasses that any True Believer will recognize instantly. A digital description appears when your interact with them:

"If you see a relic before you, you're in luck. Occasionally, a pair of lenses manifest, eyewear that belongs to a powerful cosmic entity seemingly capable of being anywhere in the galaxy at any given time. He has appeared throughout history in multiple worlds and I suspect he will continue to do so throughout the future as well. Though we do not know his motives, many believe this mysterious being has had a profound impact on our galaxy. Excelsior!"

Comic fans and moviegoers alike will be familiar with the mustache and shades wearing visage of Lee. While his fans on the silver screen only know him as the recurring face in their Marvel cinematic adventures, comic lovers recognize the deeper importance of the great creator. He was the guiding hand of Marvel history, and the co-origin point of Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, Thor, and basically everyone else you have ever heard of from the House of Ideas. This pedigree, and being strategically placed as the “Walt Disney of Marvel,” meant Lee was always being pushed as effectively the mascot of the company, and the face of the brand, which was previously unheard of for comic creators. Lee’s personality combined with this multimedia push means that his legacy will continue to live on despite his passing in 2018.

Guardians does not mark the first appearance of Lee in a video game. The late writer provided narration in the early Vicarious Visions' Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro for the Playstation 1 and 2, then returned as narrator in Beenox's Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions in 2010. Stan Lee's first physical appearance in video games took place in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 as Senator Lieber, followed by a litany of cameos as himself in the LEGO Marvel games and The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2 movie tie-ins. Finally, the most emotional of all these cameos was in Marvel’s Spider-Man as the owner of a restaurant Peter Parker and Mary Jane frequented. The release of the game was only a few short months before his death, making the smiling Stan’s greeting to the player that much more impactful on repeat playthroughs.

Stan Lee’s influence will continue to affect all future Marvel projects, bringing about a whole new generation of creators who grew up with this mysterious figure in their games and movies. That mad, joyful, and slightly sketchy energy goes beyond that of just a famous writer, and into something truly unique. Bring on the future of Marvel, because we cannot wait to see what’s next. Excelsior!

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Source(s): Screen Rant, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

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