This is the part of running a news site I don’t like.
I just received an email with some very sad news. Dave Stevens,creator of The Rocketeer,died yesterday. Apparently he had been suffering from leukaemia.
In the 1980s Stevens’ work,whether in black and white or colour was a joy. The Rocketeer,of course,was what many will remember him for,as well as the movie it spawned. The comic artwork was still better and introduced many of us to rather nubile young lady resembling a certain Betty Page!
“Girly art” is what Stevens will also be remembered for -and some fantastic figure art at that!
Stevens was the first to win the Russ Manning Award in 1982. And his first professional work was to ink Manning’s pencils for the syndicated daily Tarzan strip. And there are many,many fans of his Johnny Quest comic covers produced for Comico.
It was,however,The Rocketeer,that he began in 1982 that really brought him fame around the world.
Fans will no doubt cherish Stevens’ work but at least we do have that to remember a true Master Of Comic Book Art.
