by Joshua H. Stulman

2018 saw the passing of several great comic book artists and writers. The most well known is, of course, the recent passing of Marvel Comics co-creator, Stan Lee. 2018 was unique in that it saw the passing of so many iconic creators, it is easy to forget some of the lesser known creators who have also contributed greatly to comic book culture. This list is dedicated to the memory of some truly great creators.

Norm Breyfogle (1960-2018)

If you grew up reading comics in the late 80’s-early 90’s, Norm Breyfogle was THE Batman artist. His stylized, dynamic take on the Dark Knight was DC’s answer to Todd McFarlane’s Spider-Man. He worked on both Detective Comics and Batman self title along with various other Bat-projects from 1987-1995. He created a number of modern Bat-villains including Scarface & the Ventriloquist, Vicktor Zsasz, Anarky, Amygdala. Breyfogle was also responsible for ushering in Tim Drake as Robin III, and drew many of his defining early adventures. During the 90’s, Breyfogle also co-created the superhero, Prime, for Malibu Comics- a modern take on Captain Marvel. In the new millennium, Breyfogle continued to work on various DC projects, as well as work on Archie Comics with the company’s revitalized “New Look.”

Mort Walker (1923-2018)

Mort Walker is best known as the creator of the newspaper comic strips, Beetle Bailey (1950-) and Hi & Lois (1954-). He began his career as a humor illustrator selling cartoons to various publications in his teens. Eventually distributed by King Features Syndicate, Walker’s Beetle Bailey continues to reach 1,800 newspapers in more than 50 countries for a combined readership of 200 million daily.

In 1954, Walker and Dik Browne teamed to launch Hi and Lois, a spin-off of Beetle Bailey (Lois was Beetle’s sister). Walker created several additional comic strips through the years including Boner’s Ark (1968-2000), Gamin and Patches (1987-1988), Mrs. Fitz’s Flats (1957-1972), The Evermores (1982-1986), Sam’s Strip (1961-1963), and Sam and Silo (1971-).

In 1974, Walker opened the Museum of Cartoon Art, the first museum devoted to the art of comics. Nowadays Beetle Bailey continues with Walker’s granddaughter, Janie Walker-Yates. Walker’s sons, Brian and Greg Walker, continue to produce the Hi and Lois strip with Chance Browne.

Gary Friedrich (1943-2018)

Gary Friedrich is one of a handful of writers that helped expand Marvel Comics in the late 1960’s. Hired by his longtime friend, Roy Thomas, Friedrich helped relieve both Thomas and Stan Lee from much of the regular monthly writing. Friedrich worked on various superhero titles including early Hulk stories before settling on Sgt. Fury.

Friedrich’s big contribution to comics came in the early 1970’s when he created the supernatural characters, Ghost Rider and Son of Satan. Ghost Rider was a fresh take on the western predecessor and helped usher in the anti-hero themes of the 1970’s. Ghost Rider was later adapted to film twice played by actor Nicholas Cage and recently for television in Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Marie Severin (1929-2018)

One of the staples of the Marvel bullpin, Marie Severin could do it all. She worked as colorist, penciller, inker. She began her career in comic working at EC Comics in the 1950’s along side her brother John Severin. In the 1960’s, Severin drew Doctor Strange and co-created the Living Tribunal. She also illustrated early Iron Man and Submariner stories. Severin was a major artist on the Hulk and transitioned the character from back-up feature in Tales to Astonish to his solo premiere in Incredible Hulk.

During the 1970’s Marie Severin worked on Daredevil, The Cat, Conan The Barbarian and Kull The Conqueror. Severin co-created the satirical character, Howard The Duck. She also co-created Spider-Woman and designed her costume. Severin was a versatile artist and creator and also enjoyed working on Marvel’s humor ventures beginning with Not Brand Echh as well as their Crazy Magazine. In the 1980’s, Severin worked on Marvel’s child friendly licensed comics including Fraggle Rock and Muppet Babies. Marie Severin continued to work into the early 2000’s on various projects.

Russ Heath (1926-2018)

Russ Heath is probably as famous for his detailed and realistic comic book illustrations as he is famous for being plagiarized by Pop Art Icon, Roy Lichtenstein. He leaves behind a long career as one of the greatest war illustrators in comics.

Heath found work at all the major comic companies including Marvel, DC and EC comics. He occasionally worked on superhero stories including some of the last Marvel Boy and Human Torch stories of the 1950’s. However, Heath is best remembered for his long association with DC ‘s war comics including G.I. Combat and All-American Men Of War. It was his artwork on All-American that failed comic book artist turned Pop Art icon, Roy Lichtenstein, looked to for some of his most famous paintings.

Roy Lichtenstein used Russ Heath’s artwork on All-American Men Of War as the basis for his most famous Pop Art oil paintings including Blam, Okay Hot-Shot, Okay!, Brattata and perhaps his best known painting, Whaam! The pop art paintings sold for millions without Russ Heath receiving any recognition, compensation or royalties on merchandise still being sold by institutions like the Tate and the Museum Of Modern Art to this day.

Harlan Ellison (1934-2018)

Harlan Ellison is best known as a writer of over 1,700 short stories, screen plays and comic scripts. He was regarded by Stan Lee as one of the best writers in the science fiction genre. Ellison’s major contributions to pop culture were as a screen writer for 1960’s television including Star Trek, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, The Outer Limits, and later on for the Twiglight Zone revival series as well as Babylon 5.

He was an avid comic collector from youth and continued throughout his life. Ellison was rumored to waive convention appearance fees in lieu of payment in the form of comics. He was a passionate writer and thinker and highly protective of his creative concepts. Ellison sued James Cameron over the concept of “The Terminator” for its similarities to his work on Outer Limits, and received recognition credit in the film. Ellison wrote occasionally for Marvel and DC including Avengers, Daredevil and Batman (Detective Comics). His last comic credit was the adaption from his original un-filmed plot for the 1960’s Batman TV Series featuring Two-Face in 2013.

Stan Lee (1922-2018)

Stan Lee is perhaps the best known comic creator of all time and helped to usher the comic industry into the mainstream. Stan Lee held the unique position of acting as editor, art director and ultimately publisher of Marvel Comics in a career spanning from 1941-1998. Lee lead the company from near bankruptcy to media giant.

Most famously, Lee teamed with veteran artist Jack Kirby to debut their science fiction/super-hero drama, The Fantastic Four, in 1961. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby continued to expand Marvel’s super-heroes including: The Hulk, Iron Man, Ant-Man, the Avengers, the X-Men, the Silver Surfer and their many villains. Lee re-hired Submariner creator Bill Everett with whom Lee created Daredevil, and newcomer Steve Ditko which lead to the creation of Doctor Strange and Marvel’s mascot, The Amazing Spider-Man.

Lee’s writing style was a unique blend of science fiction themes merged with the drama of the Romance genre and humor. His super-heroes suffered the same problems and worries of everyday people. No other comic creation symbolized this more than Spider-Man. Stan Lee embraced the changing tone of society during the 1960’s. With Jack Kirby, he created the Black Panther (the first black super-hero) and introduced African-American supporting cast members to many of his comics. Amidst the Hippie counter culture of the late 1960’s, Stan Lee reflected the anti-war movement in comics. Lee fearlessly embraced the civil rights movement and raised awareness of racism in his Soapbox letter column. He also defied the Comic Code Authority censors by penning a pivotal Spider-Man story centered on drug addiction.

In later years, Stan Lee attained iconic status in pop culture through his many cameo appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe of movies.

Steve Ditko (1927-2018)

Steve Ditko was one of the last great comic book thinkers of our time. Quiet, strong-willed, stubborn, principled, eccentric, independent, and recluse are all words that come to mind when describing the 90 year old comic legend.

Steve Ditko was part of the second generation of comic book artists. Ditko’s most famous work for Marvel came in the final issue of Amazing Fantasy # 15, which debuted Spider-Man. For Spider-Man, Ditko created many of the early rogue gallery including: Dr. Octopus, Sandman, Vulture, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, the Lizard, Electro, Scorpion and most famously the Green Goblin. As co-creator of Doctor Strange, Ditko also developed Baron Mordo, Eternity, and Dormammu.

After leaving Marvel in the late 1960’s, Ditko returned to Charlton where re-designed Captain Atom and Blue Beetle, as well as creating The Question. At DC Comics, Ditko created The Creeper and Hawk & Dove. Ditko’s characters often were critical of the larger society and explored morals and ethics. His independent creation, Mr. A, best exemplifies his commentary on the changing society.

Ditko continued to work for DC and Marvel into the late 1990’s, creating Speedball and Squirrel Girl. To the lament of comic fans, Ditko never returned to his two great creations, Doctor Strange or Spider-Man.

Joshua H. Stulman

Owner, BrooklynComicShop.com