Comic book artist George Pérez dead from pancreatic cancer at 67
ByKelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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Legendary comic book artist George Pérez dies from pancreatic cancer at 67 George Pérez worked for DC Comics and created "The New Teen Titans," one of the company's top-selling series. (NCD)
ByKelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Celebrated comic book artist George Pérez, whose creations spanned five decades and who illustrated some of Marvel and DC’s most beloved characters, died Friday at the age of 67 de to complications from pancreatic cancer, his family confirmed.
“George passed away yesterday, peacefully at home with his wife of 490 months and family by his side. He was not in pain and knew he was very, very loved,” a statement posted on Pérez’ Facebook page Saturday read.
See the full statement below:
“We are all very much grieving but, at the same time, we are so incredibly grateful for the joy he brought to our lives. To know George was to love him, and he loved back. Fiercely and with his whole heart. The world is a lot less vibrant today without him in it,” the statement continued.
Pérez revealed in late 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 pancreatic cancer, writing a December post that he was given six months to a year to live, NBC News reported.
Most recognized for his contributions to “The Avengers,” “Teen Titans” and the 1987 relaunch of “Wonder Woman,” Pérez was also the driving force behind fan-favorite “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” which DC Comics described in a statement as a “maxiseries,” celebrating the comic book house’s 50th anniversary.
Pérez also designed the look for Lex Luthor’s battle suit in Action Comics, NBC News reported.
“As a writer, co-plotter, penciller, and inker, George Pérez left an indelible mark on the world of comics, bringing pleasure to a legion of fans and influencing a whole generation of creative talent,” DC stated.
George Pérez made everything look effortless. His contributions were pivotal in both driving and reinventing DC’s long and rich history. George’s stories were a joy to read, and his work resonated with everyone he met. He will be missed by those here at DC and fans worldwide. pic.twitter.com/g8lMC62tK5
DC Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee called Pérez’ style “both dynamic and incredibly expressive,” adding, “His art was the perfect storytelling canvas for some of the most important events in DC history. While he will be sorely missed, his work will live on with a countless number of fans, as well as all the talent he’s influenced over the years.”
Meanwhile, DC Editor-in-Chief Marie Javins remembered Pérez as a “one-of-a-kind person that brought so much joy to the world.”
Marvel Entertainment said in a tweet that Pérez’ “work paved seminal stories across comics, and his legacy of kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.”
George Pérez was an artist, a writer, a role model, and a friend. His work paved seminal stories across comics, and his legacy of kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. Our family at Marvel mourns his loss today, and our hearts are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/Z61gXE1zk4
George Pérez PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 03: Comic book artist George Perez attends Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con 2012 at Pennsylvania Convention Center on June 3, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images) (Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
George Pérez LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 21: Comic book writer and illustrator George Perez draws a comic book cover at the Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con at the South Point Hotel & Casino on June 21, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic) (Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
George Pérez LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 21: Norma Fregoso (L) and Comic book writer and illustrator George Perez attend the Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con at the South Point Hotel & Casino on June 21, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic) (Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
George Pérez LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 16: Comic book writer and illustrator George Perez (L) and Collider's Coy Jandreau speak at the "George Perez : Farewell to a Legend" panel during the Seventh Annual Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con at the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions) (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions)
George Pérez HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 30: Writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez arrive for Excelsior! A Celebration Of The Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible And Uncanny Life Of Stan Lee held at TCL Chinese Theatre on January 30, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images,) (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
George Pérez LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 16: Producer Jimmy Jay (L) and comic book writer and illustrator George Perez pose backstage before the "George Perez : Farewell to a Legend" panel during the Seventh Annual Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con at the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions) (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions)
George Pérez HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 30: George Perez arrives for Excelsior! A Celebration of The Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible and Uncanny Life Of Stan Lee at TCL Chinese Theatre on January 30, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images) (Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images)
George Pérez LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 15: (L-R) Joe Rubenstein, George Perez, Ron Lim, and Jim Starlin speak at the 'Architects Of Pop Culture: Avengers Infinity' during the Seventh Annual Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con at the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Paul Butterfield/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions) (Paul Butterfield/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions)
George Pérez LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 14: George Perez signs autographs during the Seventh Annual Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con at the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Paul Butterfield/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions) (Paul Butterfield/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions)
George Pérez LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 14: George Perez signs autographs during the Seventh Annual Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con at the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 14, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Paul Butterfield/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions) (Paul Butterfield/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions)
George Pérez HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 30: Marv Wolfman and George Perez arrive at Excelsior! A Celebration Of The Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible And Uncanny Life Of Stan Lee at TCL Chinese Theatre on January 30, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images) (Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)
George Pérez LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 15: George Perez signs autographs during the Seventh Annual Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con at the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Paul Butterfield/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions) (Paul Butterfield/Getty Images for Amazing Comic Conventions)