Joe Kubert- 9/18-26 – 8/12/12

The comic book world is in mourning this week after the death of industry icon Joe Kubert at the age of 85. He is best known for his work with DC Comics on such notable characters as Sgt. Rock and Hawkman.

Born in Yzerin, Poland he emigrated to the US at barely 2-months-old along with his parents and older sister Ida. The Kuberts made their home in Brooklyn, NY. Growing up Kubert was encouraged by his parents to pursue his love of comics and art. He got his start in the industry at the age of 12 drawing pages for MLJ studios, the forerunner to Archie Comics.

He worked for many comic publishers through the years, including the forerunner to Marvel Comics, but by 1955 he made DC his permanent home. At DC he either pioneered or rejuvenated such characters as Sgt. Rock and G.I. Comics, Hawkman and Ragman, as well as adapting characters like Tarzan for the comics medium.

He opened his own art school in 1976 which has such notable graduates as Rags Morales and two of his sons Andy and Adam.

Kubert stayed busy right up until his death where he was collaborating with son Andy on Before Watchmen: Nite Owl. Kubert was a celebrated comic artist and was awarded the Alley Award three times, National Cartoonists Society award twice as well as the Eisner and Harvey Award.

He his survived by his four sons David, Danny, Adam and Andy as well as daughter Lisa. Kubert leaves behind a legacy that spans some 70 years in the comic book industry. He passed just three weeks shy of his 86th birthday. Thank you Joe for everything you’ve done, you will never be forgotten.