DREW HAYES DIES

**MattBrady** · 03-24-2007, 07:32 AM

Received from Sirius Entertainment, Inc

Sirius Entertainment is saddened to report that Drew Hayes, the maverick creator of POISON ELVES, has died in his hometown of Bellingham, Washington. Drew had a heart attack while suffering from pneumonia. He is survived by his daughter, Mary and his mother, Sharon.

Drew had been hospitalized more than once over the last several years, but his return to good health had been anticipated, so the suddenness of his passing was an unexpected shock to those that knew him. Drew was 37 years old.

Drew Hayes entered the comic book field in 1991 by self-publishing his cult-hit series, I, LUSIPHUR. Over the next four years, he published twenty issues (collected in POISON ELVES: THE MULEHIDE YEARS trade paperback), changed the series title to POISON ELVES, and became known as one of the most singular and respected voices in the self-publishing world. In a bold transition, Hayes brought POISON ELVES under the Sirius Entertainment banner, where his creative freedom remained wholly intact. The last completed issue of the on-going series was issue #79, published by Sirius in September of 2004. Hayes’ total output has surpassed 100 issues, many of which are collected in the ten POISON ELVES trade paperbacks.

FIG · 03-24-2007, 08:18 AM

That sucks, sorry to hear. At least he left a body of work behind, not that I was a big fan of Poison Elves but I have heard of it.

jza1218 · 03-24-2007, 08:24 AM

Damn. That's sad news.

Lord Ruthven · 03-24-2007, 08:44 AM

Damn, that sucks beyond words.
Gutted for his family, he was so young.
He'll definitely be missed.

little kon-el · 03-24-2007, 08:54 AM

Damn. I remember collecting his work because of Brian Bendis calling him out and started an indy feud with him. It was all done in jest, but I loved the aspect that they would tear into each other in the letter column as fan boys ate it all up. It made me pick up Poisoned Elves even more. .

This is a shame and I wish his family well.

- little kon-el
(PS: If someone has a Wikipedia account, I would like for them to go to his Wiki entry, using the material from this column, to REPLACE what is written about him in Wikipedia. Will someone please do that as soon as possible)

Anders Wolleck · 03-24-2007, 08:54 AM

one of the great modern creators. sorry to see him pass so young. luckily he has completed enough work for his legacy to continue

weaselwelch · 03-24-2007, 08:56 AM

Sad news. Condolences to his family.

Don Mega · 03-24-2007, 08:58 AM

Oh my god. So young?

condolences to the family.

DBoy77 · 03-24-2007, 09:08 AM

Its allways sad when we lose anyone, but to lose someone that is a great in this field of dreams we love and live in called comic books is truly a great lose for all.

Here´s to Drew. May his imagination fly him to great new heights

badmarru · 03-24-2007, 09:17 AM

What a sad news

I was a reader of Poison Elves since the first day and I must say it was a fantastic read.If you love Ellis or Ennis' angryness,wit and mean attitudes, this title is perfect for you.Don't be put off by the Elves thing or the goth look, this so different thn what has been done with the same kind of characters(Elfquest or LOTR), it needs to be experienced.Great stories intelligently written, great art (much more when it became bimonthly so Drew could take his time with that aspect of the book).
Though the book's hiatus had been long and it was common knowledge Drew's health was not perfect, I really hoped he would eventually come to produce more great work.
Drew, your art and skills will be missed, your body of work his an amazing one and stands for itself

My condolences to his family and friends.

Blackbeard · 03-24-2007, 09:27 AM

Same age I am...

My sincerest condolences go out to Drew's daughter and mother.

Lord Ruthven · 03-24-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little kon-el

(PS: If someone has a Wikipedia account, I would like for them to go to his Wiki entry, using the material from this column, to REPLACE what is written about him in Wikipedia. Will someone please do that as soon as possible)

It's just been updated (not by me though, someone beat me to it).

Rest in Peace, Drew.

amlah6 · 03-24-2007, 09:34 AM

____.

Though I didn't know him, through his Starting Notes I kind of felt like I did. Drew was a unique and amazing talent and he will be missed. My condolences to his family.

Jason A. Quest · 03-24-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by little kon-el

(PS: If someone has a Wikipedia account, I would like for them to go to his Wiki entry, using the material from this column, to REPLACE what is written about him in Wikipedia. Will someone please do that as soon as possible)

The article there is kinda short - he certainly deserves more - but there isn't a lot of relevant factual info to add from this report. If you have more information to add, go right ahead and add it yourself.

PoisonElf · 03-24-2007, 09:47 AM

Wow, that really sucks.

c_andrew_s · 03-24-2007, 09:48 AM

that is really sad news

ljamal · 03-24-2007, 10:01 AM

WOW! Even with his health problems, this is not something I ever expected.
RIP Drew.

Egg · 03-24-2007, 10:36 AM

This is very sad. I had a fondness for Poison Elves and Drew's Starting Note at the opening of each issue. He will be missed.

edhopper · 03-24-2007, 11:05 AM

I met Drew at a Convention about 10 years ago, we talked a few times about doing some work together.
I remember him as a very cool, upbeat guy who loved being in the comic business.

mrhelm · 03-24-2007, 11:09 AM

This is really depressing. I've been waiting months for the return of Drew's Poison Elves. I guess that's never going to happen.

I for one will miss him.

Doctor_Chronos · 03-24-2007, 11:14 AM

Wow, that's awful. I was and still am a big fan of his work and was really looking forward to he getting better and putting new stuff out there.

This was posted on the PE live journal site, with a little bit more info

http://community.livejournal.com/poisonelves/

I am saddened to report that Drew Hayes, the maverick creator of POISON ELVES, has died in his hometown of Bellingham, Washington. Drew had a heart attack while suffering from pneumonia. He is survived by his daughter, Mary and his mother, Sharon.

Drew had been hospitalized more than once over the last several years, but his return to good health had seemed imminent, so the suddenness of his passing was an unexpected shock to myself and others that knew him. Drew was 37 years old.

I last spoke to Drew in January, when he was arranging to submit his original cover for POISON ELVES Volume 11. Drew remained sincerely comitted to creating his best work ever in the years ahead. He had proposed re-launching the series with issue #80 and returning to a quarterly schedule in 2007. He was clear that that was his goal and his intention.

He was a loyal and genuine friend to me, my family and the family of creators at Sirius Entertainment. He is sorely missed.

If you would like to share your thoughts with Drew's family, please send your e-mails to info@CosmicTherapy.com

Robb Horan, publisher
Sirius Entertainment
&
Sales Director
Cosmic Therapy.com[/i]

CaptainTemerity · 03-24-2007, 11:22 AM

Drew's work had a style and energy unlike anything else I've ever read. He was so distinct, I could never picture him doing a Batman or Spiderman book, but I really considered him a fantastic artist.

I used to see the ads for I, Lusiphur in the back of Dragon magazine. Then my best friend shoved the book in my hands one day, forcing me to read it, saying what a genius this guy was. Drew was his hero, artistically, on a pedestal higher than even Jim Lee at the time (and this was the early 90's, mind you). Hell, I just bought him the Lusiphur statue for his birthday last year.

I'm truly saddened by Drew's passing. I also wonder, since they've had all these spin-offs and minis of Poison Elves lately (I think mostly to Drew's health issues) if someone is going to continue the series. On the one hand, it wouldn't really ever be the same without him, but on the other, I think the characters and world he's created deserve to live on.

Either way, my best to his family and loved ones.

Zig Zag Wanderer · 03-24-2007, 12:22 PM

My condolences to his family.

RIP Drew.

Kody · 03-24-2007, 12:33 PM

Sad news. I used to chat online with Drew back in the early 90's and he was always willing to answer questions about tools and techniques when I was just starting to find my way. He'll be missed.

grabbingsand · 03-24-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason A. Quest

The article there is kinda short - he certainly deserves more - but there isn't a lot of relevant factual info to add from this report. If you have more information to add, go right ahead and add it yourself.

I added a few more details from this article and cleaned it up a bit.