Legendary artist Joe Kubert passed away this morning at the age of 85. His long association with DC Comics goes back to the early 1940s, where he had an extended run as the artist on the Golden-Age Hawkman, including the Hawkman-themed Flash Comics covers. (Flash and Hawkman shared the spotlight for the series, and alternated covers.) During this time, he also drew several Flash stories and Flash-themed covers, notably featuring the Thorn.
In 1969, he returned briefly to The Flash to draw a series of covers, shocking both in their themes and in their rugged contrast from the sleeker lines usually associated with the character.
In 1990, Kubert drew the cover to the Flash 50th Anniversary Special, and in 2006, he inked his son Andy Kubert’s cover for Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #1. I believe this makes him the only artist to professionally draw all four Flashes during the time they were active as the main Flash.
While most associated with Sgt. Rock and war comics, Kubert’s career spanned many characters and genres. He was active to the end, through the Kubert School and his own art. His most recent work was just published last week in Before Watchmen: Nite Owl, and DC recently announced a Joe Kubert Presents anthology miniseries.
Mark Evanier remembers Joe Kubert on his blog, News From Me. First Comics News has a retrospective on his career and is collecting remembrances from others in the industry. CSBG has a gallery of great Joe Kubert covers. Update: The Washington Post has a retrospective with remembrances from other comics professionals, and The Beat looks back on his “unparalleled life”. Update: More reactions at Progressive Ruin, Being Carter Hall, Fire and Water Podcast.
(Covers via comics.org.)
Great cover.
And may he rest in peace. Very kind man.
Flash Annual #3 had Who’s Who type profiles for each of the (then) three Flashes. Joe Kubert did the one for Jay Garrick, if I recall, and it looked amazing.
A very nice tribute. Honestly, I didn’t know he’d drawn all the Flashes during their stints as the Flash; it’s quite an accomplishment to have had such a long and storied career. May he rest in peace.
Thanks. Though it feels wholly inadequate.
A fantastic artist, my thoughts are with his family and friends.
@SpeedForceOrg truly a shame to see him go…. read a lot of those 🙂
Here’s the Jay Garrick piece from Flash Annual #3 I mentioned. http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120227012239/marvel_dc/images/9/9e/Flash_Jay_Garrick_0004.jpg
That is a nice one. Thanks for finding it.
he was a giant! I always forget that he inked Showcase #4, just remembered while browsing. a sad loss, all the celebrations of his work are wonderful.
I can’t believe I forgot that! It didn’t turn up in my search last night because I was narrowing the results by title.
[Goes to add Showcase #4 to gallery.]
God bless, Joe Kubert. You will be missed.