Marie Severin and Gary Friedrich

I just learned that this week has seen the passing of two relatively unheralded but nevertheless greats of the comics industry. Each deserves their own due respect, so no slight is intended by this pairing.

Marie Severin [d. August 29, 2018] began as a colourist at EC in 1949, later going on to ink and pencil several very notable titles for the 'big two' publishers. She is remembered most notably perhaps as the co-creater of Spider-Woman, and has credit for the her original costume design. As a pioneer for female artists in the industry, she made her name based on her sheer talent and determination, in a heavily male-dominated area.

A couple of personal favourites from her incredible body of work:

A bit more on her career.

Gary Friedrich [d. August 28, 2018] was well known for his work on Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos and especially as the co-creator of Ghost Rider. An oft collaborator with Roy Thomas, with whom he had developed a friendship as a teen, Friedrich's work, especially his 'The' series, is remembered for offering a critique on war in at a time when most populist sentiment was still pro-Vietnam. I fondly recall reading some of the excellent Frankenstein run.



Two wonderful artists in their own right, who, while perhaps not immediately recognisable household names, nevertheless left an indelible mark on the industry and the minds of many silver and bronze age readers. May they rest in peace.