In light of the passing of Darwyn Cooke, let us celebrate his work...

[icon_uk]

It is now official that Darwyn Cooke passed away this morning from the cancer he was announced as being treated for just yesterday, and at the ridiculously, almost offensively young age of 53.

The genius behind New Frontier and noted for his work on Catwoman, The Spirit, Parker, The Twilight Children and many, many more lost his battle with cancer.

His style was unique and glorious. Retro, yet modern, it was instantly recognisable, and called up echoes of Will Eisner, Bruce Timm and Jack Kirby and was at the same time absolutely his own.

He was also known to be an utter professional and a good friend. Check out your favourite artists on Facebook and there's not a one of them who hasn't been hit by this.

I know I speak for the Mod Team and indeed everyone on Scans_Daily when i express my sympathies and thoughts for his family and many, many friends.

To honour his passing, may I suggest posting your favourite examples of his work, in this, or other threads if it seems appropriate. And if you wish to use the term, and donations to the Hero Initiative and The Candian Cancer Society

For my part, I will repost something i first put up in 2014, when the solicitations for an entire month of covers from DC had his work as wonderful variants... the only time I have actually considered buying a book for it's variant cover. I still hope these get collected.

I don't often swear on scans_daily, but as Mr Cooke put it yesterday when his condition was announced; "FUCK CANCER!"



Teen Titans


(So much to love in this one)

Batman and Robin


Batman


Grayson


Batman/Superman


Superman


The Flash


Harley Quinn


Wonder Woman


Justice League


Green Lantern Corps


Justice League United


Action Comics


Supergirl


Aquaman


Superman and Wonder Woman


Detective Comics


Batgirl


Catwoman


Green Lantern


Justice League Dark


He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Comments

[rainspirit]

Unbelievable how quick it was.

Fuck cancer. :(

[kamino_neko]

The man was a hell of an artist, right to the end.

[ghosty732]

I am so grateful for all of those variant covers. What a fantastic way to highlight the amazing talent of a man with such a prolific career.

My heart goes out to his family. They, along with the entire comic world, lost someone special today.

[mrstatham]

Definitely an absolutely tragic loss; he was incredibly supportive of the growing marking for independent and self-made comics, and he had such a classic style. The best design Catwoman's ever had speaks for itself, as do his incredible adaptations of the Parker novels. It's just really shocking because obviously we'd only heard about his illness yesterday.

Major, sincerest condolences to his family at this time.

[mesmiranda]

Seriously, fuck cancer. One of the best artists ever, and--by all accounts--a really funny, stand-up guy.

[informationgeek]

This really sucks, because he was one of my favorite artists in the comic book world. His work always looked so good.

With his recent death I've been thinking of finishing doing those posts on Before Watchmen: Minutemen. I know it's controversial around here, but his artwork was stunning in that comic.

[alicemacher]

I agree. Also, thank you for mentioning you're planning on posting some BW: Minutemen; I was planning to upon hearing the sad news, but I'll leave it to you so there won't be any duplication.

Also, thank you icon_uk for posting these wonderful Cooke variant covers. The Batman-and-Alfred one is poignant, and the Harley one made me laugh.

R.I.P., Mr. Cooke, and to "fuck cancer" I'd add, "Let's give thanks for (and, to the best of our collective ability, support) those who provide treatment to persons with cancer, those who provide palliative care to persons whose cancers are beyond treatment, those who provide emotional and spiritual comfort to persons with cancer and their loved ones, and those whose research works toward ever more effective cancer prevention and treatment strategies."

[joetuss]

One of my favorite artists of all time. His art always felt like it was in motion. My God rest his soul, he'll be missed

[amaniwolf]

Such a tragic loss, his work was expressive, creative and reminded us heroes could smile. The world is all the poorer for his passing.

[silicondream]

Fuck cancer, and hurray for palliative care. Cooke was awesome on every level I know about.

[zapbiffpow]

I'll say again what I said before: Good-bye, sir. Thank you for everything.

[bradygirl_12]

I always felt happy, charmed, or both viewing Darwyn Cooke art. The New Frontier was outstanding. He managed to capture the spirit of comics when they inspired entire generations for the better.

RIP, Mr. Cooke.

RIP Mr Cooke, Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.

[7dialsmystery]

Darwyn Cooke's art was always cheerful, fun and vibrant, animated and joyful. Comics and the world in general will be darker with his passing. My deepest sympathies go out to his family. May their deity of choice give them the comfort and peace that they seek in their time of loss.

[lyricalswagger]

Why do the awful people in comics seem to live forever and the good die young?

[laughing_tree]

The man was a simply stunning artist. May he rest in peace.

[thedocyoshi]

The greats seem to just be dropping like flies this year...

[shadur]

Aw, man, that Batgirl grinning...

[halloweenjack]

Goddamn. He was only one year older than me. And he even made that nu-Harley costume work.

[glprime]

GodDAMN that man knew how to draw. Look at the detail in some of those wide panel works: Superman leaving the Janitor's closet; Batman at rest in Wayne Manor; the Green Lantern Corps assembled (and JOHN STEWART in the front, instead of Hal Jordan!)

Graphic Ink: The Art of Darwyn Cook

[pyynk]

For those interested in the alternate covers, they've been collected in Graphic Ink: The DC Comics Art of Darwyn Cooke. It also includes his issue of Solo, an issue or two of Jonah Hex, and tons of other material.

http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Ink-Comics-Darwyn-Cooke/dp/1401258093/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463515780&sr=8-1&keywords=graphic+ink+the+dc+comics+art+of+darwyn+cooke