Fantagraphics Co-Publisher Kim Thompson (1956-2013) RIP

June 22, 2013June 19, 2013 by The Comic Book Critic

Kim Thompson Passes Away At Age 56

Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and co-workers. Fantagraphics has a lasting legacy in the comic book world and he was one of the greats who helped make it happen.

Press Release

Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thompson died at 6:30 this morning, June 19. “He was my partner and close friend for 36 years,” said Gary Groth.

Thompson was born in Denmark in 1956. He grew up in Europe, a lifelong comics fan, reading both European and American comics in Denmark, France, and Germany. He was an active fan in his teen years, writing to comics — his letters appeared in Marvel’s letter columns circa early 1970s — and contributing to fanzines from his various European perches. At the age of 21, he set foot, for the first time, on American soil, in late 1977. One “fanzine” he had not contributed to was The Comics Journal, which Groth and Michael Catron began publishing in July of 1976. That was soon to change.

Comics Legend Carmine Infantino Dead At 87

April 4, 2013 by The Comic Book Critic

Carmine Infantino Passes Away At Age 87

Today the world lost another great. Comics legend Carmine Infantino, born in Brooklyn, New York on May 24,1925, has passed away at age 87 after a long illness.

Infantino is most widely known as the artist who created the iconic red & yellow Silver Age Flash costume and ushered in the Silver Age of comics with Showcase #4 in 1956. He also co-created some of The Flash’s most popular rogues – Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, Gorilla Grodd and Mirror Master. He also helped create a number of other DC characters including Barbara Gordon, the original Black Canary, and Deadman.

He later became DC Comics’ editorial director, and under his tenure DC created some of the best comic books on the stands. He hired Dick Giordano made Mike Sekowsky, Joe Orlando, and Joe Kubert editors; also Denny O’Neil & Neal Adams both joined DC’s ranks during that time. Infantino also hired Jack Kirby to work for DC after Kirby felt disenfranchised with Marvel at the time.

Jean Giraud aka Moebius Art Gallery

January 21, 2020March 11, 2012 by The Comic Book Critic

Jean Giraud aka Moebius Gallery

On March 10th, 2012, Jean Giraud, the French artist who was predominantly known as Moebius, passed away at the age of 73.

An influential international artist, Moebius rose to fame drawing the Western serial character, Lieutenant Blueberry, for Pilote magazine. Blueberry eventually split off into its own series and Giraud worked on 29 volumes in total.

After leaving Blueberry, Moebius went on to do science fiction and fantasy work for Métal Hurlant magazine . Two of his most famous serials, The Airtight Garage and Arzach, both got their start in the pages of Métal Hurlant. Later on he started his famous L’Incal series in collaboration with Alejandro Jodorowsky.

Comic Book Artist Eduardo Barreto, Dead at 57

December 16, 2011 by The Comic Book Critic

Long time comic book artist Luis Eduardo Barreto passed away from complications of meningitis at the age of 57.

Born in Uruguay, Barreto worked primarily for DC Comics in the 1980’s and early 1990’s on such titles as Teen Titans, The Shadow Strikes, Action Comics, Atari Force, Speeding Bullets, Under a Yellow Sun, and Lex Luthor: The Unauthorized Biography. In 2006, he took over the artwork from the ‘Judge Parker’ comic strip which he worked on until a bout of meningitis forced him to drop it in 2010.

Joe Simon, Comic Book Legend, Dead at 98

December 15, 2011 by The Comic Book Critic

Joe Simon Passes Away at 98

Joseph Henry “Joe” Simon, passed away on Wednesday December 14th, 2011 in New York City, after a brief illness, at the age of 98.

Simon created or co-created many important characters in the Golden Age of Comics and was the first editor for Timely Comics, which later became Marvel Comics.

Along with Jack Kirby, Simon co-created Captain America in 1940. Simon & Kirby worked extensively at DC Comics in the 1940s on such books as Sandman and Sandy the Golden Boy, and co-created the Newsboy Legion, the Boy Commandos, and Manhunter. Simon & Kirby creations for other comics publishers include Boys’ Ranch, Fighting American and the Fly.

Jerry Robinson, a comic book legend, dead at 89

December 8, 2011December 8, 2011 by The Comic Book Critic

Jerry Robinson, the legendary comic book artist who is credited with creating Batman’s archenemy The Joker, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday night. He was 89.

Discovered by Batman creator Bob Kane in 1939, Robinson was a 17 year old journalism student at Columbia University when Kane hired him to work on his Batman book as an inker and letterer.

Bob Kane later claimed that he and writer Bill Finger came up with the idea for The Joker, however, most historians credit Jerry Robinson with the creation of the character. Robinson was also influential in the creation or Robin the Boy Wonder, Alfred the butler, and Two-Face.

R.I.P. – Gene Colan (1926-2011)

January 25, 2020June 27, 2011 by The Comic Book Critic

On Thursday June 23rd, 2011, Gene Colan, a comics legend, passed away at the age of 84. He has worked for several different companies and in many differing genres over his almost 70 year career in comics.

Gene has helped bring to life countless characters over the years. Stan Lee and Gene Colan created The Falcon, the first African-American superhero in mainstream comics. He drew all 70 issues of Tomb of Dracula for Marvel Comics, including helping Marv Wolfman create Blade – a character that went on to be portrayed by Wesley Snipes in three films.

Gene has drawn many high profile Marvel characters including Iron Man (in Tales of Suspense), Dr. Strange, and Daredevil (1966-1973). In the 1980’s he did a lot of work for DC Comics on Batman, Detective Comics, and Night Force.

He was admired by many creators, friends, and fans alike. Here is what they had to say about the man and artist, Gene Colan: