George Pérez, whose long career included important stints writing and drawing for Marvel and DC comics, died Saturday due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
The news of the artists death at age 67 was announced the same day on his official Facebook page.
Although Pérez took on many roles in the comics industry, he was primarily known as a penciller, and his most high-profile work was on the iconic DC limited series Crisis On Infinite Earths.
Comics legend: George Pérez, whose long career included important stints writing and drawing for Marvel and DC, died Saturday at 67 due to complications from pancreatic cancer; seen in 2019 in Las Vegas
Pérez had his wife Carol Flynn and other family members with him on Saturday when he died at home, according to the Facebook post.
‘He was not in pain and knew he was very, very loved,’ the statement said. ‘We are all very much grieving but, at the same time, we are so incredibly grateful for the joy he brought to our lives. To know George was to love him; and he loved back. Fiercely and with his whole heart. The world is a lot less vibrant today without him in it.’
It continued: ‘He loved all of you. He loved hearing your posts and seeing the drawings you sent and the tributes you made. He was deeply proud to have brought so much joy to so many.’
Pérez announced in December of last year that he had stage-three pancreatic cancer, though he had opted not to be treated for it. At the time, he said doctors expected him to only live another six to 12 months.
Saying goodbye: Pérez announced in December that he had stage-three pancreatic cancer, though he had opted not to be treated for it. At the time, he said doctors expected him to only live another six to 12 months
Revived series: In the 1980s, Pérez helped relaunch DC’s Teen Titans series with writer Marv Wolfman, while he worked on penciling
In the 1980s, Pérez helped relaunch DC’s Teen Titans series with writer Marv Wolfman, while he worked on penciling.
The two created several important characters through their collaboration, including Cyborg, Raven and Starfire.
The team also instigated Dick Grayson’s transformation from the original Batman sidekick Robin to Nightwing.
Later in the decade, he collaborated on Crisis On Infinite Earths, a landmark limited series for DC that killed off several major characters and attempted to simplify the complicated DC timelines.
Later, he also helped reboot the long-running Wonder Woman series in 1987, on which he also wrote.
Although his biggest successes were with DC, Pérez also worked extensively with Marvel, particularly on the Avengers comics, though the series didn’t have the prestige then that it has subsequently acquired thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s focus on the group.
Iconic: Later in the decade, he collaborated on Crisis On Infinite Earths, a landmark limited series for DC that killed off several major characters and attempted to simplify the complicated DC timelines
The future artist was born in 1954 in the South Bronx to a Puerto Rican family.
He began working as a studio assistant for Marvel in the 1970s, while he was still a teenager, and he made his debut on Astonishing Tales #25 in 1974.
While with the company, he co-created White Tiger, the first Puerto Rican superhero, with Bill Mantlo.
He began working on The Avengers in 1975, followed by a stint on the Fantastic Four, but in the 1980s he moved to DC and began doing artwork for the Justice League Of America.
While at the rival comics giant, he collaborated on some of the biggest characters, including Batman and Superman.
Rising star: The future artist was born in 1954 in the South Bronx to a Puerto Rican family. He began working as a studio assistant for Marvel in the 1970s, while he was still a teenager, and he made his debut on Astonishing Tales #25 in 1974
