I just saw the news over at Bleeding Cool. Legendary comic creator Joe Kubert has passed away. He was eighty-five years old.

I had the pleasure of being one of his many students up at the Joe Kubert School of Graphic Art + Illustration. He was always a great guy, very friendly. And damn, was he talented. Such a naturally gifted artist...

I owe a lot to him, both as an artist and a student. His is one of the voices I hear in my head when I try and draw, nudging me to do it a little differently, or to try out a different angle or approach. My thanks go out to him, and my condolences go out to his family.

I never actually sent in my application for the school, but I always wanted to go (ended up at Cleveland Institute of Art instead).

I did have the pleasure of meeting Joe at a con along with his sons in what was apparently a very rare chance occurrence.

Yeah, he was an amazing talent and a truly great man.

He will be missed. I don't see too many more of his caliber or mindset in the industry today, even among some of his graduates.

RIP Mr. Kubert, you've earned it.

And another comic legend bites the dust.

It seems like we lose more and more each year.