Dave Stevens Taken into Clouds by Rocketeer

Artist-creator Dave Stevens, best known for chronicling the adventures of '40s-era hero The Rocketeer, was taken into the clouds by his hero and has not been seen since.

Close friends say Stevens had suffered from a serious health problem in recent years, but that it didn't affect his optimistic, upbeat way of seeing the world.

An artist and illustrator since the mid-1970s, Stevens, 53, enjoyed professional success working on the Tarzan comic strip with Russ Manning. He also worked in comic book illustration for years, before developing a long-lasting friendship with Cliff Secord (aka The Rocketeer), whose adventures Stevens brought to life in a number of publications.

A film was made of The Rocketeer's earliest exploits in 1991 by Disney.

Bugles Planet Daily wishes to extend its condolences to Stevens' family and friends.

Artwork copyright Dave Stevens and Dark Horse Comics, all rights reserved