Newsarama has learned via a close friend of the artist's that Dave Stevens died last evening of complications due to leukemia, with which he had battled for many years. He was 52 years old.
Born in Lynwood, CA on July 29th, 1955, Stevens is best known for his work on his creator-owned The Rocketeer, which was first published in as a backup in Mike Grell's Starslayer in 1982. Stevens' style, which was wholly his own, but owed much to pulp artists of the earlier part of the 20th century was loved by his many fans, while his story merged the pulp sensibility with a modern sensibility.
Stevens' first professional comic work was inking Russ Manning's pencils for the daily Tarzan comic strip starting in 1975. Dave always kept at least one finger in comics while he was working on storyboards or animation, providing covers for Comico's Jonny Quest series or other work.
The Rocketeer appeared in small installments throughout 1982 to 1995, and was turned into a film in 1991 by Walt Disney Pictures. The comic book version, in its way, helped usher in the re-popularization of Bettie Page.
There are no plans for a public service.
He was a great artist and a really nice guy.. He will be missed..
Tom
I'm very saddened by this news. Dave was a great artist and storyteller. The Rocketeer is a classic creation that touched the inner hero in everyone who read it. Dave and his work will be dearly missed.
I recall being mesmerized by the Rocketeer when it first hit the bookshelves. I've always loved Stevens' work since then, and got a chance to meet him briefly at a comic con in the late 80's (I want to say San Diego but my memory betrays me). I knew he had been ill, but even so, his death at 52 comes as a bit of a shock.
God bless you Dave. Rocket on home now.
Mike C.
Very sad, even more so that he was still so young. He did a lot of great cheesecake style covers for a bunch of early independent comics.
Rob
Here is my favorite peice of Dave Stevens art..
(http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/vol/4000/3533/3533-25760-1-doc-stearn--mr-mons_400.jpg)
This one is great too..
(http://www.davestevens.com/img/art/zoom/airboy_print.jpg)
http://www.davestevens.com/html/main.html
Tom
How truly sad...
What a great talent...and what a terrible loss. I mourn him and my sympathies to his family.
I also mourn the loss of more great artwork that we won't get from him anymore.
Rest in Peace Dave Stevens...and thank you.
Sincerely,
Joseph Fotinos
I have to add my condolences. I don't have any issues of The Rocketeer, but I have the Disney DVD of the movie and it's one of my top 10 favorite films. My sympathies and prayers go out to his family.
Tom, thanks for posting that Mr Monster poster. It hung in my studio for many years. The Our Gang touch only sweetened the deal! He was an amazing artist, with a beautiful brush inking technique. Just wonderful. I have a bunch of stuff he did, and never tire of looking at it.
Rest in peace Dave!
Mike
I've always loved Dave Stevens' work....such magnificent talent...gone at such a young age.
Thats really bad news - He was an amazing artist I admired. My sympathies to his family. His art will be missed.
Guess I put "The Rocketeer" into the DVD tonight in his honor.....
Rainer E.
Wow, that's really sad. I've had the pleasure of meeting him several years ago.
BK
Dear UMA FANG-MILY,
... CHARLES DICKENS once told his son: "My boy, this life is half made up of partings."
So much talent, granted to DAVE STEVENS, and, by all accounts, he so bravely battled his adversity... a heroic life, to realize one's talents, and, live them to the fullest... brilliant work!
May he LIVE, EVERNOW, in THE TRUE ARTIST'S VISION, Where LIGHT, FORM & COLOUR Merge into LOVE'S IMPERISHABLE ONENESS!
... As ST. FRANCIS Of ASSISI wrote, eight centuries ago:
"A man who works with his hands is a labourer;
a man who works with his hands and head is a craftsman,
but, a man who works with his hands, his head, and, his Heart, is an ARTIST."
Thank you, DAVE, for your stunningly unforgettable contributions, to Art, and, more, to The True Art of Living.
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMOTHY HERRON, B.G.G.
Wow...this is BAD BAD news. I'd gotten to know him, somewhat since the early 90's up thru not very long ago at various Chiller Theatre cons over the years. First time was in 1992 when i had brought a bunch of my Mr. Monster and Rocketeer comics for him to sign. Soon found out he was a major Zacherley fan [eventually doing the BEAUTIFUL cover for the Zacherley Scrapbook] I gave him tapes and cd's of my music projects with The Cool Ghoul and to my delight, he really enjoyed them. It felt good to think ,even in a small way that i gave some kind of pleasure back to someone who had given me SO much. He even said he was going to make me an original portrait of Zach which sadly never materialized, but i was honored that he even OFFERED. He never mentioned his illness to me, but then again these were busy conventions and our encounters were always brief, but memorable. So young and SO talented. His Bettie Page stuff was MIND BLOWING! I understand he was good friends with her and was totally respectful of her wish to stay out of the public eye. Jeez, it really hits me in the gut to think he's gone....WAY too soon.
God bless you Dave,
Mike G
Stevens created box art for one of my early video features, Dark Romances. Marvelously talented artist. I'm very sad to hear this news.
This is very sad news. I worked part time in a comics store six years. Dave Stevens had such great style and flair and drew upon a strong feel and history of the genre. Someone like him doesn't come along often.
Michael