A recent episode of animated series “Marvel Rising: Heart of Iron” was partially set in fictitious bakery Excelsior! Vegan Donuts. The show’s creators developed the shop in honor of Stan Lee—whose catchphrase was “Excelsior!” or “ever upward” in Latin—the creator of Marvel who passed away last year. “That was our little homage to Stan,” Cort Lane, Marvel Animation & Family Entertainment SVP, said. “Obviously Stan is gone, his last recorded animated role was for ‘Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest.’” The shop is part of a scene where the main characters gather to crack a plan to battle their nemesis Hala, who has stolen the Iron Man-like armor kid-genius Riri Williams (aka Ironheart) created. While plotting, the team is surrounded by vegan doughnuts in intentionally odd flavors, including Zucchini Pomegranate Crullers, Tofu Turnip Twists, and Chia Kale Cakes. “I actually go to vegan restaurants, although I’m not vegan, and the ingredients are so bizarre, we had fun with that,” Lane said. “We thought kids love doughnuts, but we wanted to keep to healthy eating standards. So then it became a running thing of all the weird things that are in the doughnuts.”

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