RIP Gene Colan

"Gene Colan, a Bronx-born artist and legend in the comic book industry, died Thursday. He was 84.

The New York native passed away at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx from complications related to liver disease and cancer, his longtime friend Clifford Meth said.

Colan's career spanned seven decades and his distinctive style earned him a strong following from comic book lovers.

He chronicled the adventures of Batman, Dracula and Daredevil with his work and was held in high regard among critics.

"He had developed a signature style by the late 1960s that people just loved," said Meth, who wrote Colan's biography.

Colan was born in New York in 1926 and his long career in comics began when he was 18 and landed a job at Wing Comics.

Soon after, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed in the Philippines until the end of World War II.

Upon returning to the United States, Colan swiftly resumed drawing and began to work at Timely Comics, which later became Marvel Comics.

Colan was part of an elite group of well-respected artists at the comic book company which included Jack Kirby, John Romita Sr. and Sal Buscema.

"Gene worked on almost every major Marvel book at one point," comics historian Mark Evanier said.

"His characters were more than just costumes, they had credibility.

"Readers would connect with a Gene Colan character instantly."

Tributes poured in from across the artist and comic book industry Friday as news of Colan's death reached those who knew him.

"His ability to create dramatic, multi-valued tonal illustrations using straight India ink and board was unparalleled," said DC Comics publisher Jim Lee, who worked with Colan.

'The comics industry has lost one of its true visionaries today.'" - quote source from the NY Daily News.com

See more of his work at Gene Colan's Virtual Studio. Learn more about his body of work at his Wikpedia page.

I'll be doing a larger post on Gene's comic covers in the future but for now, enjoy these fantastic cover paintings for Tomb Of Dracula.