Acclaimed comic book illustrator George Tuska has died of a heart attack, aged 93.
The influential artist officially retired last week after almost 70 years in the business. He is best known for his work with Marvel Comics, but also enjoyed stints with DC and several other publishers.
Beginning his comic book career in the 1940s, the artist has worked on several high-profile titles over the decades, including Iron Man, X-Men, Teen Titans and Justice League Of America.
Tuska is also credited with developing Marvel hero Luke Cage, being the first artist to draw the character. His work has often been compared to that of iconic illustrators such as Gene Colan and Jack Kirby.
In an interview with Two Morrows, Tuska discussed his entry into the world of comic books:
“I had filled out an application as an artist and cartoonist at a professional agency in New York City. Will Eisner and Jerry Iger called for me to submit some art samples. I was soon accepted and asked to work in their studio.
I soon left the Eisner & Iger studio to go work for Harry Chesler’s shop. Chesler was currently handling some comics for Fawcett Publications, who couldn’t keep up with the production of their successful and expanding line of comics. It was at this time I drew several early issues of Captain Marvel Adventures, as well as some other strips. We had a good group of artists at the Chesler shop: Ruben Moreira, Mac Raboy (who later worked for Fawcett), Ralph Astarita, and Charles Sultan, whom I had first met at Eisner & Iger’s studio.
I left Chesler and found myself working again for Will Eisner, who had just separated from Iger. Will had his group of artists, including Alex Kotzky and Tex Blaisdell. Will was busy with The Spirit and also handled comics for Busy Arnold [Quality Comics]. While with Eisner, I penciled some Spirit and Uncle Sam stories.
To make some additional income, I decided to freelance a bit on the side. I paid a visit to the Fawcett offices at the Paramount Building. I met briefly with Fawcett Publications art director Al Allard. I ended up drawing a few more Captain Marvel stories. Allard had asked me to draw as close as possible to the way Captain Marvel had first appeared in Whiz Comics. I also drew two or three Golden Arrow stories while freelancing for Fawcett. A girl named Judy, I believe, handled the scripts for me. I would complete the entire final page; I drew all the figures and backgrounds, and inked everything. I was about 24 or 25 at the time. After those freelance jobs, I never worked for Fawcett again.
In the ’60s I met Stan Lee and made Marvel Comics my comic book home. I illustrated Iron Man and probably just about every Marvel Comics super-hero there was!”
George is survived by wife Dorothy, three children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
