In the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, it was normal for comic book geeks to argue socially or at local comic bookstores about their favorite characters and legendary comic creators. Fans knew the names of writers, artists, inkers, and editors. I was one of those comic book readers who wrote letters to the editor, hoping to see their letter at the back of the comic.
Legendary Comic Creators
A lot of the billion-dollar comic book films we take for granted now got their plot inspirations from the talents of legendary comic creators. Many of those creators have passed away and did not get enough credit for their talents when they were living. Here is a list of some of the most influential comic creators who died in recent years.
1. Jackson “Butch” Guice (June 27, 1961 – May 1, 2025)
Butch Guice is one of those legendary comic creators whose work I happily grew up reading. Guice’s work was known for its intense detail and expressiveness. He was known for delivering work on time and working diligently.
Guice worked on titles such as Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme, Supergirl, Flash, Amazing Spider-Man, Micronauts, Eternal Warrior, Ruse, Winter Soldier, and numerous other projects.
Guice was mainly active from 1982 through 2020 as an inker and artist, although he did draw sporadically in recent years. Butch Guice passed away from pneumonia at age 63.
Micronauts: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 3 is a 712-page hardcover. Marvel had the license to publish comics about The Micronauts, adventurers who live in the Microverse. The stories are based on a Japanese toy.
This hardcover collects all 20 issues of 1984’s Micronauts: The New Voyages, feauring Guice’s art, as well as several issues from 1979. Buy it now from Amazon for $112.
2. Peter David (September 23, 1956 – May 24, 2025)
Peter David was an ultra-prolific, opinionated, and fan-favorite writer and novelist. He is counted among the list of legendary comic creators because his output spans from 1988 until his passing. David’s writing would help shape the storylines of major characters at Marvel, DC, and independent publishers for decades to come.
David is infamous for retconning and re-popularizing the origin of the Hulk. He then built upon the work of writer Bill Mantlo from The Incredible Hulk #312 (1985), where Banner’s bottled-up anger at being an abused child became a trigger for his transformations as much as the gamma radiation. Additionally, David’s portfolio is insanely lengthy at the time, but he wrote X-Factor, She-Hulk, Aquaman, Spider-Man, Supergirl, Wolverine, and much more.
In 2010, David severely injured his back. In 2012, David had a debilitating stroke. He kept working even though his health was in steady decline. David died after dealing with numerous health issues, although his wife said it was a stroke.
Incredible Hulk by Peter David Omnibus Vol. 1 is a 1,003-page trade that collects the 130-issue run of David’s tenure on The Incredible Hulk. Buy it on Amazon for $36 at Amazon now.
3. John Cassaday (December 14, 1971 – September 9, 2024)
John Cassaday is one of the most legendary comic creators to ever draw comic books. Cassaday was well-known to comic book creators in the late 1990s and up until the current day. He was a superstar artist known for working with writer Joss Whedon on 2004’s Astonishing X-Men.
His work in 1999’s Planetary with writer Warren Ellis made him a cult favorite of comic fans. That series put out 27 issues over a decade and was notorious for years-long delays. I was one of those readers who bought every issue at the time and calmly waited for them.
Cassaday was a meticulous artist who took his time on projects, but fans were willing to wait. His work on 2015’s Star Wars for Marvel made the project a success. Cassaday died from a heart attack and was 52.
4. Jim Shooter (September 27, 1951 – June 30, 2025)
Jim Shooter began writing comic books at age 14 for DC Comics in the 1960s during the Silver Age of Comics. Shooter became Editor-in-Chief at Marvel Comics. Shooter wrote 1984’s Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars comic, the inspiration for 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars.
He was notorious for pushing the boundaries, trying to usher Marvel into the modern age, attracting new fans, and always thinking about business as much as art. He had a notorious reputation for being difficult and unfriendly; that has to be a topic for another day, I can only write as a fan.
I met Shooter in 1992 or 1993, and he autographed my copy of Secret Wars #1, which I still own today. Along with being a writer and editor, Shooter was a staunch businessman and entrepreneur who was never afraid to start over. From the late 1980s to the 1990s, Shooter would co-launch independent publishing ventures Valiant Comics, Defiant Comics, and Broadway Comics.
Shooter lost his battle with cancer at age 73.
5. Paul Neary (December 18, 1949 – February 10, 2024)
Paul Neary was an English editor, artist, writer, and inker who got his start in comic books back in the 1970s. Neary was mostly active from the 1970s until the late 2000s. Although he was a prolific writer and artist for Marvel U.K., Marvel, and DC, Neary was also known for his inking work in 1999’s The Authority and The Ultimates.
Neary died after an unknown illness at age 74.
6. Mark D. Bright (December 27, 1955 – March 27, 2024)
Mark D. Bright’s active comic book career spans from his first comic art gig, House of Mystery #257 from 1978 until the 2010s. He is one of those legendary comic creators because of his prolific penciling work and iconic comic book covers. While Bright still did comic artwork, he began a lucrative transition to becoming a storyboard artist for live-action films.
Bright was one of the signature Iron Man artists of the 1980s and 1990s. He drew the Armor Wars storyline of the era that was the partial inspiration for 2013’s Iron Man 3 and the aborted Armor Wars film starring Don Cheadle. Bright is the co-creator of Quantum and Woody for Valiant Comics. Additionally, Bright is also the co-creator of Icon and one of the creative architects for Milestone Media.
Bright was 68 at the time of his passing. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
7. Don Perlin (August 27, 1929 – May 14, 2024)
Don Perlin is one of those legendary comic creators who do not receive enough recognition for his contributions to the industry. Perlin got his start as an artist and inker in the late 1940s and was working consistently until 1999.
Perlin was a prolific artist and inker, but is known for co-creating Moon Knight for Marvel Comics and Bloodshot for Valiant Comics. He was a long-time artist for Werewolf by Night and The Defenders in the 1970s. Perlin was 94 at the time of passing; his cause of death is unknown.
8. Peter B. Gillis (December 19, 1952 – June 20, 2024)
Peter Gillis was a New York Times bestselling author, editor, and prolific comic book writer. He got his start writing for Marvel Comics in 1978. His first major writing work was Captain America #224 back in 1978. Gillis wrote The Defenders, Captain America, Black Panther, Micronauts, and much more throughout the 1980s.
He wrote and co-created the criminally underrated military space opera Strikeforce: Morituri in 1986. Gillis was active in comics until 2010, when his health began declining. Peter B. Gillis was 71 at the time of his passing, and his exact cause of death is unknown.
9. Keith Giffen (November 30, 1952 – October 9, 2023)
Keith Giffen is one of the most influential writers and artists to ever work in comic books. He was one of the most popular comic book artists working in the 1980s and 1990s. Giffen is the co-creator of Lobo, Rocket Raccoon, and the Jaime Reyes version of Blue Beetle.
It would be impossible to list all of Giffen’s accomplishments. He is well-known for his career-defining art run on titles like Legion of Super Heroes, Doom Patrol, Green Lantern, Justice League, and more.
Giffen died at age 70 from a stroke.
10. George Perez (June 9, 1954 – May 6, 2022)
George Perez is one of the most distinctive, influential, and popular comic book artists of his era. His first work as an artist was for Marvel with Astonishing Tales #25 in 1974. Perez is the creator or co-creator of Raven, the Nightwing persona for Dick Grayson, Deathstroke the Terminator, Starfire, Jericho, and Cyborg. It was Perez’s talents as a writer and artist that helped popularize the Teen Titans for a new generation in the 1980s.
Perez modernized Wonder Woman during his 1987 run and was co-creator of the Modern Age version of Cheetah. He was the artist on 1985’s Crisis on Infinite Earths. Perez also did a lot of work for Marvel for the Fantastic Four and the Avengers. His art bibliography is too extensive to list.
Perez would succumb to complications of pancreatic cancer at age 67.
Their Work Lives On
An artist can live forever through their work. Decades-old comic book stories will be the inspiration for comic book films yet to come. Because these creators were work-for-hire, we only know the brand logos, Marvel or DC, not their names.
I think you should read the source comics for your favorite films and learn the names of these legendary creators. They never got enough credit in life, especially with the new generation of fans who don’t read enough comics. These creators should certainly be given their due posthumously as the fruits of their creativity continue to make profits and entertain millions.
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