Comics
Farewell to another legend: Keith Giffen, father of Rocket, Lobo and Blue Beetle, dies at age 70
The comic book artist, illustrious Marvel and DC character, and father of the most foul-mouthed Guardian of the Galaxy ever has died of a stroke at the age of 70.
What a way to kick off New York Comic-Con 2023. Keith Giffen, the illustrious comic book artist for Marvel and DC who gave us characters like Rocket Racoon and Lobo, has died at the age of 70. However, he did it with a nice message on his social media, saying goodbye in the best way possible: leaving us with a smile instead of tears.
The cause of his death was a stroke, as confirmed by one of his regular collaborators, screenwriter Paul Levitz, who spoke about the loss of his partner:
“The sad news is now official: Keith Giffen has gone off to create new worlds that are beyond our living reach. Keith was probably the most fertile creative mind of our generation in comics. He had an infinite number of ideas, pouring constantly out. We did over 60 stories together. Many of them he made far better than they might have been with any other collaborator, because of his ideas and contributions to character moments and dramas.”
The Legacy of a Genius
We will always have Giffen to thank for introducing us to Rocket Raccoon in the mid 70′s, the most foul-mouthed Guardian of the Galaxy and certainly one of the most beloved. He created him with Bill Mantlo for an issue of Marvel Preview, and the character has become one of the great figures in the pantheon of Marvel heroes.
But Giffen’s career went far beyond the Stan Lee factory. In the 80′s and 90′s Giffen jumped to DC, where he also helped to create Lobo, the alien mercenary of the Omega Men, which he created together with Roger Slifer. He also drew and scripted Legion of Super-Heroes (with the XXX and XXXI century characters) and co-created Justice League Europe with JM DeMatteis.
And although he is not his ancestor, Blue Beetle would not have gotten a movie this year without Giffen’s involvement. It was he who reintroduced him into our lives under the name Jaime Reyes, gave him Latin roots, and in 2006 turned him into the character we all think of today.
So many reasons to be grateful. Rest in peace, Maestro.