Rocketeer creator dies

 

Dave Stevens, creator of “The Rocketeer,” has died.

Born in Lynwood, CA on July 29th, 1955, Stevens is best known for his work on his creator-owned The Rocketeer, which was first published in as a backup in Mike Grell’s Starslayer in 1982. Stevens’ style, which was wholly his own, but owed much to pulp artists of the earlier part of the 20th century was loved by his many fans, while his story merged the pulp sensibility with a modern sensibility.

Stevens’ first professional comic work was inking Russ Manning’s pencils for the daily Tarzan comic strip starting in 1975. Dave always kept at least one finger in comics while he was working on storyboards or animation, providing covers for Comico’s Jonny Quest series or other work.

The Rocketeer appeared in small installments throughout 1982 to 1995, and was turned into a film in 1991 by Walt Disney Pictures. The comic book version, in its way, helped usher in the re-popularization of Bettie Page.

I always loved Stevens’ beautiful retro artwork. His work on “The Rocketeer” was at the very bleeding forefront of the rebirth of pulp, and he influenced so many other artists. Hats off, folks.

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