DC Comics creator and executive Dick Giordano died Saturday at age 77. Giordano joined Charlton Comics as a freelance penciler and inker in the early 50s, and by 1965 had become the company’s Editor-in-Chief, leading a resurgence of the publisher’s “Action Heroes” like the Blue Beetle and Captain Atom under the pen of legendary Steve Ditko.

Giordano went to work for DC Comics in the late ’60s, where he performed editorial duties, and also served as an inker.

Current DC co-publisher Jim Lee on Giordano:

“When I was just trying to break into comics back in 1986, I received a lot of form rejection letters, including a very gracious one from Dick at DC Comics. On the DC letterhead, he took the time to pen an additional personal note which I still cherish today. ‘Looking good – keep working at it.’ Those few words kept this often dejected young artist hanging in there as it took many many more submissions before I finally broke into comics.

“Thank you, Dick, for your words of encouragement, all the years of amazing art and editorial leadership at DC. And finally, for showing us artists how a great inker gets it done.”

Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment on Giordano:

“Dick Giordano has left a lasting legacy as a comic book artist and as a DC Comics executive, I join the industry in recognizing his tremendous contribution to DC Comics and send my sympathy to his family and friends.”

[Source] CBR

[Note]

On behalf of everyone here at SciFi Mafia (contributors and readers alike), I would like to extend our sympathies to all of Dick’s family and friends.