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

In Memoriam: Mike Wieringo (1963-2007)

The comic book industry mourns the loss of Mike Wieringo, comic book artist, who died of a heart attack on August 12.

Celebrated for his work on titles including Flash (with Mark Waid, in the course of which he co-created the character Impulse), Robin, Tellos (a series he co-created with Todd DeZago) and Fantastic Four, Wieringo had been working on the Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four miniseries for Marvel.

For more information on Wieringo and his career, visit his Wikipedia entry here. Devon Sanders also offers a wonderful, personal remembrance on the Seven Hells!

Bugle's Planet Daily extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, co-workers and colleagues of Mike Wieringo. He will be greatly missed.