DAVE STEVENS PASSES AWAY

**MattBrady** · 03-11-2008, 03:51 PM

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.

Mark Evanier has written a short obituary which can be found here.

There are no plans for a public service.

Frank Cho · 03-11-2008, 03:56 PM

Rest in peace Dave.

Thank you for the Rocketeer and introducing Bettie Page into my life.

You will be sorely missed.

Bfujioka · 03-11-2008, 03:59 PM

Horrible, horrible news.

musclebound · 03-11-2008, 04:00 PM

Totally sad. Condolences to family & friends. He signed my copy of the first Rocketeer comic in San Diego. What a bummer. Great guy.

R A Renteria · 03-11-2008, 04:01 PM

Such sad news. Rest in Peace.

R-

Supreme Convoy · 03-11-2008, 04:01 PM

I absolutely love The Rocketeer movie. I've been meaning to find the comics.

He'll be missed

Billy Tucci · 03-11-2008, 04:03 PM

This is just terrible news. Rest in Peace my friend...

BEC · 03-11-2008, 04:03 PM

Years ago I saw Dave Stevens at a local electronics store and recognized him from convention appearances. He was flipping through stacks of DVDs on the rack and after I noticed which alphabet section he was in, I walked over and said "Please tell me you're not looking for what I think you're looking for." He replied that the studio hadn't sent him a copy. For that matter he didn't own a DVD player yet, but was thinking about getting one.

The movie was of course The Rocketeer.

I helped him look, but the store didn't have a copy (I have a similar story about Mark Hammil, but maybe another time). He was nice about the whole thing and I wished him good luck on finding one andI went on my way. I grew up in LA and am quite blase about celebs, so no autographs or anything, just a few ironic moments with an artist whose worked I had followed and greatly admired.

Thanks for everything Dave. I was and am a huge fan of your work.

BoosterGold- · 03-11-2008, 04:06 PM

There are way too many of these lately.

Dave you'll be missed.
I'll miss the chats we used to have.

-Michael C

nietoperz · 03-11-2008, 04:07 PM

This is really sad. RIP Mr Stevens, and thank you.

wishlish · 03-11-2008, 04:08 PM

Total gut punch. Fantastic artist, with a beautiful style. I'm genuinely sorry to hear this today. My sincere condolensces to his friends and family.

Evanier's tribute is very touching. It's a horrible shame that Mark has to do so many of them, but I wish someone of his talent and grace does mine when I go.

Statham · 03-11-2008, 04:08 PM

This is a damn shame. Condolences, rest in peace, and many thanks for the great comics.

PatrioticKid · 03-11-2008, 04:10 PM

Damn. I just got through writing a bio on him for an art class.

Rest in peace.

Sparro · 03-11-2008, 04:13 PM

Rest in Peace Dave. Thank you for sharing your great talent and imagination with us.

Stéphane G · 03-11-2008, 04:14 PM

Too young, too soon.
I liked his work.
Rip.

BEC · 03-11-2008, 04:15 PM

I almost forgot; I do have Dave Steven's autograph after all. I bought a print from him at a con, the only artist I've ever bought one from, and he signed it. It hung in my home office for years, but has been put away since I moved.

Time to hang it back up I think.

holeycrullers · 03-11-2008, 04:16 PM

I was lucky enough to have a table next to Dave's at a convention some 15 years ago. He was as gracious and encouraging as anyone I've met. My condolences to his friends and family. His presence and talent will definitely be missed.

Lupek · 03-11-2008, 04:16 PM

My condolences to his family and friends.

DanLTaylor · 03-11-2008, 04:16 PM

Sad news. I've enjoyed his work for years.

griff311 · 03-11-2008, 04:16 PM

My jaw dropped when I saw this headline. I was always impressed with his art and the Rocketeer was an iconic character. The era the Rocketeer was set in always apealed to me and made me long for simpler times when I read the comic and saw it brought to the big screen. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

Doc Nero · 03-11-2008, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoosterGold-

There are way too many of these lately.

Dave you'll be missed.
I'll miss the chats we used to have.

-Michael C

Totally agree that there has been too many.

R.I.P. Dave.

Alan Coil · 03-11-2008, 04:18 PM

A minor correction. He was born in 1955 and would not have been 53 until July.

Jamal Y. Igle · 03-11-2008, 04:18 PM

I posted this on my blog today:

It seems like All I've done lately is become the bearer of bad news. Dave Stevens, an amazing illustrator, and creator of one of my all time favorite characters, Cliff Secord: The Rocketeer passed away recently from complications from Luekemia.Dave was literally one of my alltime favorite artist.His line as an inker was so incredibly lush yhat I drooled when ever I saw his work. I only got to meet him once at the San Diego Comic Con, we talked briefly as I showed him my work and I gushed over him. He was humble, and complimentary about my work and I will remember him as a gentleman.

I'm heartbroken as I look at my Rocketeer figure that stands over my computer.I can't imagine not seeing a new Dave Stevens work.

ssava · 03-11-2008, 04:21 PM

Wow!
Very sad news.
Condolences to the family.

Steve Bryant · 03-11-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamal Y. Igle

I posted this on my blog today:

It seems like All I've done lately is become the bearer of bad news. Dave Stevens, an amazing illustrator, and creator of one of my all time favorite characters, Cliff Secord: The Rocketeer passed away recently from complications from Luekemia.Dave was literally one of my alltime favorite artist.His line as an inker was so incredibly lush yhat I drooled when ever I saw his work. I only got to meet him once at the San Diego Comic Con, we talked briefly as I showed him my work and I gushed over him. He was humble, and complimentary about my work and I will remember him as a gentleman.

I'm heartbroken as I look at my Rocketeer figure that stands over my computer.I can't imagine not seeing a new Dave Stevens work.

Well said, Jamal.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Stevens. Your work has had a profound impact on mine. Thank you for sharing.

--Steve