The comic world was saddened today by news of the passing of Gene Colan, who worked for both Marvel and DC during the Silver Age of Comics. Colan entered into a "quasi coma state" after complications due to liver disease and a fall had broken his hip. He was 84.
Colan worked Marvel's predecessor, Timely Comics, as well as the company proper. He drew Marvel heroes such as Iron Man and Daredevil during the 1960's, and was the artist for the full 70 issue run of The Tomb of Dracula. Colan also provided art for the satire series Howard the Duck. He also co-created The Falcon.
Colan also worked for DC comics during the 1980's, on Detective Comics, Wonder Woman, Batman, The Legion of Super-Heroes and many other titles.
“Gene Colan was like no other artist of his generation. His ability to create dramatic, multi-valued tonal illustrations using straight India ink and board was unparalleled," said Jim Lee, comic artist and co-publisher of DC Comics. "The comics industry has lost one of its true visionaries today.”
Our own Tony "G-Man" Guererro shot a video back in 2009 while on a visit to the The San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum in to view an exhibit of Colan's work. Check it out if you'd like to see a great selection of Colan's work, including some very iconic covers.
Post image by Michael Netzer