Marvel comic book icon, Stan Lee, is noticeably absent during the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Why has he not graced the event despite his scheduled appearances and signings? 

According to a representative of the 91-year-old legend, "Unfortunately, Stan Lee has lost his voice due to laryngitis and is unable to attend this year's San Diego Comic-Con and has regrettably had to cancel his appearances."

"Stan is otherwise well and in good health, though he is disappointed to miss the event and wishes everyone a great time," the statement added.

Comic-Con is an annual event that celebrates film, comics, video games and other popular entertainment media. Lee has been a mainstay since the convention began in the 1970s. The SDCC began on Thursday, July 24, and will run until Sunday, July 27, at the San Diego Convention Center.

The The Hollywood Reporter recalled that the last appearance of Lee in a convention was the earlier Phoenix Comic-Con and London Film & Toy. Aside front he SDCC he missed, Lee is pegged to attend a number of other pop-entertainment events throughout the year.

"Lee's illness is not expected to interfere with any of his other scheduled appearances," says Entertainment Weekly.

For those who want to see Lee soon, who has created a number of Marvel's popular characters, he will make a cameo appearance in the soon-to-be-released "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie. Lee has consistently made random cameos in Marvel movies, which have become an expected little part of each fantasy-adventure film.

There were earlier claims that Lee would skip the cameo for the upcoming film because the series is not part of the stories that Lee had a hand in creating. Despite the rumors, he is confirmed to make an appearance.

"I did, already," said Lee when questioned on his cameo, per Variety. "I can't tell you what it is, but I can tell you I do not understand what it was or why I did it. It has me with a girl - a very pretty girl - that's all I can tell you."

Keep your eyes sharp and open for the legend in "Guardians of the Galaxy" which opens August 1.

See the trailer of the film below: