Comics Legend Will Eisner Dies at 87

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CBR News has learned that comics legend Will Eisner died Monday evening due to complications following quadruple-bypass heart surgery performed December 22nd, 2004. He was 87.

Eisner was often referred to within the industry as a living legend, his body of work having influence over generations of creators and revered for his spirit and ingenuity. The Eisner Awards, considered by many to be the most prestigious award distributed in comics, are named in his honor and have been given out annually since 1987. Eisner was always in attendance at the awards, happily shaking the hand of every winner in attendance. In 2001, CBR News recorded the Eisner Awards and an audio welcome from Eisner is available for listening on this page. For more with Eisner, read our May, 2000 interview with the creator about his graphic novel "Last Day In Vietnam."

Bob Andelman, who maintains the "Will Eisner: A Spirited Life" E-Newsletter and author of the upcoming book of the same name, distributed the following text to media today:


"Legendary comics and graphic novel artist and writer Will Eisner died last night, Monday, January 3, 2005, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 87, following complications from quadruple heart bypass surgery. Will Eisner didn't create Superman, Batman, Spider-Man or even Archie and Jughead. Some comic book fans may scratch their heads when asked to describe his work. But every artist and writer in comic books, as well as graphic artists across the entire spectrum of modern illustration, television and film, owes a debt to him.

In 1941, Eisner created a goofball detective named Denny Colt who died (not really) and was reborn as "The Spirit," the cemetery-dwelling protector of the public - and pretty girls in particular. The Spirit possessed no superpowers. He couldn't see through his girlfriend's clothing the way a curious alien like the Man of Steel might scientifically investigate Lois Lane. And he wasn't a brilliant technologist like Batman, imagineering hokey gadgets and psychedelic compounds for all-night parties with the Joker. "

more at:
http://comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=4627