Richard Corben–a Hall of Fame illustrator with a one-of-a-kind horror portfolio–passed away Dec. 2 following heart surgery. Corben was 80 years old.
Corben’s passing was announced by his wife of 55 years, Dona, according to cbr.com. “Richard was very appreciative of the love for his art that was shown by his fans,” she wrote. “Although Richard has left us, his work will live on and his memory will live always in our hearts.”
Perhaps best known for his incredible illustrations gracing the pages of Heavy Metal, Corben was Horror News Network’s 2013 Horror Comic Award Honoree. Back then, we wrote that Corben had always delivered “striking black-and-white illustrations. Much of his decades-long career has been spent drawing distinctive horror pieces.” Corben’s “elegant depictions of horrific monsters continue to intrigue and terrify us.”
Corben–a 2012 inductee into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame–began his career as an animator before taking his talents to the underground comics scene in the late 1960s. That background served him well when he moved on to Warren Publishing and its Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella titles in the 1970s. From there, he began working for Heavy Metal before starting his own publishing company, Fantagor Press, in 1986.
Along the way, Corben produced what may be his most familiar work–at least to the world at large. He illustrated the famous cover for the legendary rock album Bat Out of Hell, with songs by Jim Steinman and vocals, of course, by Meat Loaf. Bat Out of Hell went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, with more than 43 million copies sold at last count.
Moving into the 21st Century, Corben continued to build on his horror and fantasy legacy, working at Marvel Comics on such standout titles as Ghost Rider, The Punisher and Luke Cage. Corben also illustrated the famed Hellboy series The Crooked Man in 2008, working with Hellboy creator Mike Mignola.
Corben–survived by his wife Dona–will be greatly missed by his legions of fans. The staff of Horror News Network extends its condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
