Comic book creators are like painters and artists who only sometimes get the recognition they deserve after they pass. They work for relatively less money as work-for-hire freelancers for corporations with now multi-billion-dollar IPs. Some of these creators create characters they don’t own, which become household names. While a contract is a contract, these creators deserve more recognition for their talents and crafts.
Here are 10 more comic book creators who deserve more recognition after their passing.
1. Neal Adams
Neal Adams is a legendary comic book artist who helped to usher in more detail and precision in comic book art. Adams got his start drawing the Ben Casey cartoon strip, based on the TV medical drama, in the early 1960s. Adams then began working for DC and Marvel as an artist, letterer, colorist, and plotter. He was notorious for his professionalism, being a workaholic, and always aspiring to improve the medium of comic books.
Adams would pass away in April 2022 from sepsis at age 80.
Green Lantern Green Arrow, Hard-Traveling Heroes Omnibus is a 1,376-page hardcover. “Hard-Traveling Heroes” is a legendary story where Green Arrow and Green Lantern enter the Bronze Age and deal with serious social issues. The omnibus also features other Neal Adams comics from the era. Buy it now at Amazon for $69.
2. Dennis O’Neil
Dennis O’Neil is one of many comic book creators who do not get enough recognition, even after his passing. He was a legendary writer and editor. O’Neil did a lot of work with Neal Adams in the 1970s, reimagining Batman as a darker, compulsive, and gritty hero for the Bronze Age. O’Neil was the writer on “Hard Traveling Heroes.” Adams and O’Neil are the creators of John Stewart’s Green Lantern.
O’Neil would pass away at age 81 in June 2020 from natural causes at his home.
3. Morris “Mort” Drucker
Mort Drucker is one of the greatest comic book artists and satirists of the 20th century. Born in 1929, he got his first comic book work in 1947. Drucker began working for Mad Magazine in 1956 and became a full-time hire later. From 1962 until his retirement in 2011, Drucker’s art in Mad was a part of the cultural zeitgeist. He was the top caricaturist and satirist comic book artist of his generation.
Drucker would pass away at age 91 in April 2020. The cause of death is unknown.
4. Martin Pasko
Comic book creators like Martin Pasko brought a lot to the medium, but never got their full recognition. Pasko is a Canadian comic book writer and screenwriter. He was known for his late 1970s work on Superman, but he also wrote for Marvel. Pasko was a prolific TV and cartoon screenwriter.
Pasko would pass away in May 2020 from natural causes at age 65.
5. Richard Corben
Richard Corben was one of the greatest comic book creators of his era. He was a prolific comic book artist, animator, writer, editor, and publisher. Corben was a jack of all trades and a master of all. He is mostly known for his legendary work at Heavy Metal magazine. Corben was the cover artist for Meatloaf’s 1977 album Bat Out of Hell.
In December 2020, Corben would succumb to complications following heart surgery.
6. Michael Zulli
Michael Zulli is one of those comic book creators that most people didn’t know about or appreciate enough when he was active. Zulli was known for working on comics with groundbreaking environmentalist themes, like 1986’s The Puma Blues. He was a master when it came to drawing wildlife. He was also known for his work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Sandman for DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint.
Zulli died in July 2024. His cause of death is unknown.
7. Joe Sinnott
Joe Sinnott was an award-winning artist and colorist who was partially responsible for developing the Marvel Comics art style of the 20th century. Although he was a great artist, Sinnott is mostly known for his inking work. Sinnott would provide the inks on The Fantastic Four from 1965 to 1981. He was the inker on some of the best artwork by Jack Kirby.
Sinnott would pass away at age 93 in June 2020. His cause of death is unknown.
8. Mark Gruenwald
Although Mark Gruenwald would tragically pass away from a heart attack in 1996 at age 43, he was one of the best-known comic book creators of his era. He did most of his work at Marvel. Gruenwald was also a comic book artist and editor, but was primarily known as a writer.
He was a prolific writer but is well known for his work in the 1980s on series like Quasar, Squadron Supreme, and Captain America. Gruenwald is the co-creator of U.S.Agent, Diamondback, and Crossbones.
9. Ed Piskor
Ed Piskor was one of those modern comic book creators with an incredible work ethic. Piskor made a name for himself with his own independent comics, like 2008’s Wizzywig. His 2012 comic, Hip Hop Family Tree, detailing the rise of rap music in America, put him on the industry map.
In 2017, Marvel would hire Piskor to write and draw X-Men: Grand Design, which would detail the history of the X-Men. Piskor would take his own life in April 2024 after enduring accusations of grooming and sexual misconduct.
10. Allen Bellman
Allen Bellman is one of those comic book creators who are virtually unknown for being one of the trailblazers of the genre. Bellman was one of the early artists at Timely Comics, which became Atlas Comics, and then Marvel Comics in the 1960s. Also, Bellman was one of the first Captain America artists in the 1940s.
Bellman would die in March 2020 at age 95. His cause of death is unknown.
Give Comic Book Creators The Recognition They Deserve Today
Comic book art was seen as a child-like genre for a very long time, but now it is appreciated as the art form that it is. Unfortunately, it is usually the corporations and logos that most people recognize today. Appreciate the comic book creators you enjoy while they are here. Learn about their past work now while you can.
Homage and praise are usually not given to the creators and artists who create the ideas that benefit these corporations.
This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase anything through these affiliated links, the author/website may earn a commission.
You May Also Like…
- Comic Book Sleeves For Large Collections
- 6 Best BCW Comic Book Supplies
- 8 Best Comic Book Top Loaders
- 10 Greatest Comics Featuring Galactus
- 10 New Comic Book Characters Who Didn’t Take Off
The post 10 More Comic Book Creators Who Passed Away and Need More Recognition appeared first on Personal Finance Advice.
