Darwyn Cooke 1962-2016

We’ve lost a giant.

Darwyn Cooke passed away this morning, one day after it was announced he was receiving palliative care for an “aggressive” form of cancer. The news of his illness and subsequent passing shook the comics world to its very core, as Darwyn was considered one of the truly good people in the industry. He was 53.

Darwyn worked as a magazine art director and graphic designer in his native Canada for years before answering an ad placed by Bruce Timm, the famed Warner Brothers animator. Leaving his old career behind, Darwyn forged ahead in his new life, working on such series as Superman: The Animated Series, Men In Black: The Animated Series and the iconic Batman: The Animated Series.

He transitioned from animation to comic books, and his Batman: Ego was his breakout work. During his tenure at DC Comics, he worked on virtually every major character under the company’s umbrella. His redesign of Catwoman revitalized the character and the look Darwyn created for Selina Kyle is still used today, both in print and on the TV show Gotham.

It was a six issue miniseries released in 2004 that made the world sit up and take notice if this man’s immense talents, as both writer and artist. The New Frontier bridged the gap from the Golden Age of DC Comics to the Silver Age, where names like Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, Adam Strange and others took the spotlight from the first generation of heroes.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say The New Frontier was Darwyn’s magnum opus. It’s also not a stretch to say it belongs in the best of the best conversation with Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns and Maus. It really is that good.

Darwyn worked on The Spirit, the classic Will Eisner creation, on two occasions; first with Jeph Loeb on a Batman/Spirit crossover and again as the writer/artist of The Spirit’s ongoing series at DC. For my money, his work on the character is the best since Eisner himself.

His fellow creators have been universal in their praise for Darwyn. Whether it was someone he collaborated with or someone he had an all-too-brief conversation with, the impact the man left on everyone he met was indelible.

What I liked most about Darwyn’s art was that it was unlike any I’ve ever seen before. He was a master storyteller, the likes of which come around once or twice in a generation. To me, he was a modern day Jack Kirby, and as someone who considers “The King” the most important creator in the medium’s history, I don’t throw comparisons like that around lightly.

My thoughts, and the thoughts of the entire industry I’m sure, are with Darwyn’s wife Marsha and their family at this most difficult time. Darwyn may be gone, but his legacy will live on in his work.

When David Bowie died, my friend Cassandra said he’s not dead, he just went home. With that in mind, I like to think Darwyn’s exploring a new frontier.

Rest well, Darwyn…and thank you for everything.