The Devastating Death Of George Perez

Perez began his career with Marvel, working from assistant to actual artist and eventually drawing “The Avengers” and “Fantastic Four” in the 1970s. His most influential work, however, arguably came in the 1980s when Perez brought his style to DC’s biggest superheroes by drawing “Justice League of America,” and he would go on to make comics history with “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” a run that shocked fans by folding multiple universes together, featuring nearly every DC character ever invented — often on the same page — and killing off major characters such as Barry Allen aka the Flash. The story provided the sort of cosmic landscape and big emotional beats that Perez could milk for everything they are worth.

Working on “New Teen Titans” in the 1980s with writer Marv Wolfman, Perez also helped introduce numerous characters still around today in multiple mediums, like Cyborg and Starfire. Perez would continue working for DC and Marvel over the years, though his last regular series was “Siren” for Boom! Studios in 2014. Some of the other notable comics he worked on include 2004’s mega-Marvel and DC crossover “JLA/Avengers,” the post-apocalyptic Hulk story “Future Imperfect,” and Marvel’s “Infinity Gauntlet” in 1991.

Perez announced an official retirement in 2019 due to failing health (per SyFy). Only two years earlier, he was inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame (per Bleeding Cool). At a surprise part held by colleagues to give him the award, Perez was his usual humble self. “I have been blessed beyond my worth,” he said. “I have gotten a lot of love and respect from my peers, and I get to do what I have wanted to do since I was a child. How many people can say that?” 

Perez began his career with Marvel, working from assistant to actual artist and eventually drawing “The Avengers” and “Fantastic Four” in the 1970s. His most influential work, however, arguably came in the 1980s when Perez brought his style to DC’s biggest superheroes by drawing “Justice League of America,” and he would go on to make comics history with “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” a run that shocked fans by folding multiple universes together, featuring nearly every DC character ever invented — often on the same page — and killing off major characters such as Barry Allen aka the Flash. The story provided the sort of cosmic landscape and big emotional beats that Perez could milk for everything they are worth.

Working on “New Teen Titans” in the 1980s with writer Marv Wolfman, Perez also helped introduce numerous characters still around today in multiple mediums, like Cyborg and Starfire. Perez would continue working for DC and Marvel over the years, though his last regular series was “Siren” for Boom! Studios in 2014. Some of the other notable comics he worked on include 2004’s mega-Marvel and DC crossover “JLA/Avengers,” the post-apocalyptic Hulk story “Future Imperfect,” and Marvel’s “Infinity Gauntlet” in 1991.

Perez announced an official retirement in 2019 due to failing health (per SyFy). Only two years earlier, he was inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame (per Bleeding Cool). At a surprise part held by colleagues to give him the award, Perez was his usual humble self. “I have been blessed beyond my worth,” he said. “I have gotten a lot of love and respect from my peers, and I get to do what I have wanted to do since I was a child. How many people can say that?”