Gene Colan has died. Gene had been ill for a long time, and his death came almost exactly one year after his wife Adrienne tragically took her own life. Gene Colan spent his entire life doing what he loved, drawing pictures and illustrating stories. He was one of the best ever at his craft, and he leaves behind thousands of pages of wonderful art for comics fans to enjoy now and forever. Thank you, Gene.
Dennis F. Rogers with Gene Colan, 2009
He had the guts to go for his passion in life, accepting the costs – usually in pay far below that of other industries. They aren’t called “starving artists” for nothing! The same can be said of many brilliant musicians who “suffer for their art,” another common phrase. Our society doesn’t value the visual arts, music, and creative writing all that much as a way to make a living. In school financial cutbacks, art and music programs are often the first to be scrapped. While I am not personally a comic book reader, I have great respect for artists of every kind who make a very hard choice in life, which is to sacrifice other things that would make an easier and more “normal” life for themselves, their spouses and children. It is because of those choices that the rest of us become more enriched, enjoying a world of more vivid colors, wonderful sounds, and inspiring literature… all things of the soul, which are priceless.
Another great artist gone. So sorry for your loss, Dougie, and of course, it’s a huge loss to comic fans everywhere.