Friday, October 16, 2009

George Tuska, RIP

"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

It's interesting that so few of the significant comic book creators have passed on. I mean, Joe Simon, Stan Lee, Gene Colan, Jerry Robinson, Steve Ditko and so many other earlier creators are still with us. It's strange, then, that the industry was hit by two deaths this week - one being letterer Joe Rosen, the other artist George Tuska, each of them veterans since the 1940s.

It's sad that Tuska's art hasn't been more widely appreciated. Perhaps he wasn't suited to the super hero work most associate him with. After all, back in the 1950s he worked in all types of genres for Atlas. He did westerns...

...He did war comics...

...And he did horror comics.

But he must be best remembered for his work on Iron Man, which ranged ten years of his career. It included drawing the Archie Goodwin run of the late 60s which for many was a highlight of the series. My favorite Goodwin-Tuska story was the one where an LMD (android) usurps Tony Stark's life.

That same story was also the debut of Madame Masque, one of the best villains in Iron Man's rogues gallery.

If nothing else, George Tuska will be fondly remembered by Iron Man fandom. I know that I won't soon forget him. Rest in peace, Mr. Tuska.

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