Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Dave Stevens RIP

Dave Stevens died March 12th, 2008 of leukemia at the age of 52. Dave created The Rocketeer which, before the movie ruined it, was one of the coolest comic books out there. His style, whether in The Rocketeer or his other work, was very 1940's pin-up poster art, and he did it better than anyone from that time or this. I met Dave in LA only briefly in 1987 or so. He took my friend Keith and I out for lunch and we talked about everything from comic books to movies to rock 'n' roll to pop culture in general. While we didn't stay in close contact we kept up with one another through our mutual friend Sam Park.

Call it what you want - pop art, derivative art, not "real" art at all - and you'd be full of shit. Dave's talent was overwhelming. You will literally find no one who ever met the man who has a single bad thing to say about him as an artist or a human being. His style, grace and charm at both endeavors is at least equal to anyone I've ever met in my life.

Adios, Dave, the world is emptier in so many ways for your passing.

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