On Friday we were saddened to learn that artist Gene Colan passed away from complications with liver disease. Although most will remember him for his work on several Marvel titles including Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula, Howard the Duck, and Doctor Strange, (not to mention doing the art for Iron Man #1), I’ll remember Gene Colan most fondly for his work on a DC title in the early-to-mid 1980’s.
During my early years of reading comics Colan took over the artist duties of a title I never missed – Detective Comics. His run climaxed in his second to last issue (Detective Comics #566) in which he was given the opportunity to draw most of Batman’s current Rogues Gallery. Although the story itself was weak (Batman and Robin attempting to decipher a mysterious message by going through Bat-computer files of their most nefarious foes) it did offer Colan to go out on a high note.
Good Night Mr. Colan, and thanks for the memories!
