Yesterday, Ernie Colón passed away less than a month after celebrating his eighty-eighth birthday. Another artistic great from the Silver & Bronze Ages of comics who leaves behind a fantastic legacy of work. When I think of Ernie, one word springs to mind: versatility. He excelled in nearly every comics genre there was—kiddy comics, humor, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, superheroes… he could (and did) do it all.

He got his big break in comics doing Richie Rich at Harvey in the 60s. This is likely the work for which he remains best known.

 

Colón also did a lot for the short-lived Atlas line in the mid-70s, which is probably what I, personally, remember him for most fondly. (Grim Ghost was probably the high point of his work from this period.)

But he also did a lot of memorable work on Warren’s B&W horror mags around this same time. Again, the man was just extraordinarily versatile.

When the 80s rolled around, he did some absolutely beautiful work on Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld.

And he also did a lot of wonderful work on DC’s sci-fi graphic novel adaptations.

A brilliant comics artist who remained active as an illustrator through the end of his life, he will be greatly missed.

R.I.P., Ernie Colón.