Gene Colan 1st September 1926 - 23rd June 2011
Gene Colan had a seven-decade career as comic book artist. New Yorker Colan began in 1944 drawing for Wings Comics. In the Army Air Forces, stationed in the Philippines at the end of World War II, when discharged, joining Timely Comics, the precursor to Marvel Comics and then National Comics, now DC. He was a major figure in comics ‘Silver Age’ working with Marvel in the ‘60s on the reinvigoration of ‘40s classic heroes Superman, Batman and Green Lantern at DC, and with Marvel having a hand in the creation of the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, Captain America, Dr Strange, Dracula and Daredevil. And Howard the Duck.
His fluid and original drawing style was exuberant, individual and immediately identifiable. One of my personal favourites for his line and use of black and white.
More at http://www.genecolan.com/
Sources
Washington Post.com
Guardian June 30th