This man right here is George Perez.

He is a comic book artist, one of, if not THE, best comic artist out there.

I first encountered his work back right around 1980 when he took over the art for the Justice League after the longtime artist Dick Dillon died suddenly of a heart attack.  He did a few other things, and later I saw his work in some back issues of the Avengers from the late 70s.

And then, in 1981, he did the art to Marv Wolfman's story in a new version of the Teen Titans, called, surprisingly enough, The New Teen Titans.  And that titan became THE best selling title at DC.  It was neck and neck with Marvel's Uncanny X-Men!

In 1985, he left to draw the Crisis On Infinite Earths, a mini-series totally remaking the DC Universe.  While the story, and the outcome, was a bit questionable, the art was not!  It was spectacular.

And afterwards, DC game Perez carte blanche.  He wanted Wonder Woman.  The title had been languishing for a few years, just kinda hangning on.  DC canceled it, gave it to Perez, both artist and writer, and let him have at it!  And it was jaw droppingly good.

After he left that title, he did work on and off, going back to the Avengers right about 2000, among other things.

Well, a few years ago, Perez announced that he had complications from diabetes (which was already common knowledge), and was leaving the comic book industry.  He'd still do commissions and go to conventions, as his health allowed (although COVID put the kibash on that).

Well, today, Perez announced he had stage 3 pancreatic cancer and has been given 6 months to a year to live.  He said after talking it over with his family and doctor, he's not going to do chemo or radiation, and just enjoy whatever time he has left with his family and friends and being outside.

He has also said he's going to refund the money people have already given him for commissions.  And they he still wanted to do a few appearances so he could do one last book signing and he wanted to have one last chance to get with fans to take a picture with him. 

The man's close to death and he's still worried about the fans.  What a guy.....

I am quite upset about this.  I love his work, and he's been a part of my whole comic book collecting career.  It's so sad.  

SO in his honor, tonight, I'll just showing a bunch of his work.  And there is no one, and I mean NO ONE who does a group shot like George Perez.

This is the Avengers...with every single member who has EVER been an Avenger.

This is the Avengers in battle with the Justice League of America.

In the early 80s, there was talk of an Avengers/JLA crossover.  Perez was slated to do the art, before it all fell apart.  But his is the Avengers lining up against the JLA memberships at that time.

JLA #100 featured the original seven members being mind controlled and battling the subsequent members, minus, for whatever reason, Hawkwoman.  This is the wrap around cover done by Perez.

And this is the Legion Of Super-Heroes, near then end of their run, with every member at that point.

Man, can he draw!

God Bless you, George Perez.

POLT