MAY 9, 2022 - Superman wielding both Thor’s Hammer and Captain America’s shield?! Yep, that happened along with much of what comic book fans remember of some of their favorite characters, including Wonder Woman, the Avengers, and even the crew of the USS Enterprise.

George Pérez, the artist who shared his “detailed, realistic renderings that captured both the power and the humanity” of his characters, died last Friday of pancreatic cancer at the age of 67, according to Variety.

Prior to retiring in 2019 due to health issues, Pérez, from a South Bronx Puerto Rican family, spent 45 years drawing and writing comics for DC, Marvel, and other comic publishers. While he is best known for his work on characters like those above as well as titles like The New Teen Titans, according to Memory Alpha he brought his artisanship to DC’s Who’s Who in Star Trek and to the covers of the first three issues of Star Trek, also from DC, which ran for 56 issues, from 1984-1988. He also contributed retailer incentive covers for 2014’s Star Trek/Planet of the Apes crossover comic series The Primate Directive.

Pérez’s close friend, Constance Eza, said of him as she announced his death, “Everyone knows George’s legacy as a creator. His art, characters and stories will be revered for years to come. But, as towering as that legacy is, it pales in comparison to the legacy of the man George was. George’s true legacy is his kindness. It’s the love he had for bringing others joy — and I hope you all carry that with you always.”

Pérez was recognized with several awards, including four Eagle Awards, two Jack Kirby Awards, an Inkpot Award and a lifetime achievement Inkwell Award for his work as an artist. His work also influenced Patty Jenkins, director of Wonder Woman (2017) and was an inspiration for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

In addition to his art, Pérez served The Hero Initiative, a provider of health and medical assistance to comic book professionals.

For more on the life and career of George Pérez, head over to Variety, and please join us in offering our condolences to his friends and family.