mrhan

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hea...-health-970242


Bernie Wrightson is "effectively retired," according to his wife.

Bernie Wrightson, the co-creator of DC Entertainment's Swamp Thing and collaborator with Stephen King on a number of projects, has been forced to retire at age 68 due to poor health.

The announcement was made Monday morning by Wrightson's wife Liz on his Facebook page. "Last November Bernie began falling again, and having obvious problems with perception," she wrote. "He had to undergo yet another brain surgery to relieve bleeding, and then spend several weeks undergoing in-patient rehabilitation. Unfortunately, it appears that he has lasting damage: he has extremely limited function on his left side, and is unable to walk or reliably use his left hand, among other limitations."

The Facebook statement continued by declaring the artist "effectively retired: he will produce no new art, and he is unable to attend conventions," although it added, "Should this situation change I will happily announce it here."

Wrightson's career stretches back to 1968's House of Mystery No. 168. A regular contributor to DC titles in his early career, he not only co-created Swamp Thing with writer Len Wein, but also co-created the character Destiny with Marv Wolfman in Weird Mystery Tales No. 1 in 1972; that character would go on to become a recurring presence in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman almost two decades later.

Post-DC, Wrightson would go on to work for National Lampoon and create illustrations for a number of prose projects, including editions of Frankenstein and Stephen King's Cycle of the Werewolf and The Stand. He also illustrated the comic book adaptation of King's big-screen collaboration with George A. Romero, Creepshow (1982).

Most recently, Wrightson teamed with 30 Days of Night creator Steve Niles for the three-issue comic book series Frankenstein Alive, Alive!

Why So Blu?

Yeah, this sucks. I read Steve Nile's FB post about it.

I actually own their Frankenstein work - it's damn good.

Josh-da-man

Getting old sucks.

Amazing artist. His work will be missed. Best wishes to him and his family.

Trevor

Possibly my favorite artist of all-time; prayers for improvement in his health and a happy retirement.

PhantomStranger

I had no idea he was still working in the business. Hopefully he recovers.

Bronkster

Damn, that sucks to have those kinda problems - and 68 isn't really that old (anymore). Always loved Bernie's work. I was in high school in the early '70s and every time a Wrightson cover came out my fellow comic nerd friends would get all excited. The first issue of Swamp Thing was like a fantasy come true! Here's hopin' Bernie's health improves.

PhantomStranger

It appears that DC canceled the announced Bronze Age Swamp Thing omnibus.

movieguru

Met him at a convention on the East Coast last year. He seemed like a nice guy and i never realized he had any health issues.

cultshock

Very sad to hear, I've been a big Wrightson fan since I was a kid. I met him at a convention back in the 80's, really nice guy. I currently have one of his Frankenstein illustrations as my wallpaper, it's insanely detailed, what a talent!

Paul_SD

R.I.P.

Didn't realize he was suffering from brain cancer. Brutal.

mrhan

sad news....rip.

The title of this page should be updated.

Greg MacGuffin

Very sad to hear. One of my favorite possessions is a signed print of one of his Frankenstein illustrations.

cultshock

Aw fuck, when I saw this was bumped I was afraid it would be bad news.
RIP Bernie, you were an amazing talent.


That's my computer wallpaper, I love that illustration!

Trevor

Crap. I probably wouldn't be here (this subforum) without Bernie. His Swamp Thing art was one of the first things that got me hooked on comics. Was always hoping to meet him at a con someday. F cancer.

Bronkster

Aw, damn. What a loss of an amazing talent. ... damn.

slop101

I got to meet him once - super nice guy, humble, kind, down to earth. CRAZY talented.

He could write a good story as well. If you haven't, check out Wrightson's Captain Sternn, he wrote and drew it - it's hilarious!

Trevor

Jealous that you got to meet him slop, and that you own that series. I think I found 3 or 4 of the issues as it was coming out and have been half-heartedly looking to complete it since. Own pretty much everything I ever saw by him, but need to find that series soon.

slop101

For some reason I thought Captain Sternn was available collected in a trade - I guess not.

Maybe now's the time to do so - for whoever owns the rights - maybe that's the issue.

Navinabob

My friend was good friends with him and posted this tribute. He still has a few things coming out so that'll help his family at least.

http://www.nakatomiinc.com/2017/03/2...son-1948-2017/