Yesterday, visionary sci-fi fantasy author Ray Bradbury, who penned such classics as The Martian Chronicles, Dimension X, Fahrenheit 451, X Minus One, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Dandelion Wine, and The Illustrated Man (to name a few), passed away at the age of 91.

Bradbury, who is credited with writing 27 novels and over 600 short stories, published in over 36 languages prompted several creators inspired by his works to release statements upon his passing.

Writer-Director Steven Spielberg stated:

“He was my muse for the better part of my sci-fi career. He lives on through his legion of fans. In the world of science fiction and fantasy and imagination he is immortal.”

Author Neil Gaiman said,

“He was kind, and gentle, and always filled with enthusiasm, and that the landscape of the world we live in would have been diminished if we had not had him in our world.”

Writer-Director Brad Bird said,

“RIP Ray Bradbury. See you in the future.”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWyNTw7h-r0[/youtube]

On behalf of the writers and Mob of readers here at SciFiMafia, our hearts go out to Ray Bradbury’s family, friends and fans – he will be sorely missed, but his stories will live on throughout time and space.