UPDATE: Though we have yet to find a primary source on this, many comics professionals have tweeted this evening that Darwyn Cooke has passed away.
On his blog this morning, Marsha Cooke posted that her husband, writer, artist, animator, and terrific human being Darwyn Cooke has been battling cancer. The announcement reads as follows:
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce Darwyn is now receiving palliative care following a bout with aggressive cancer. His brother Dennis and I, along with our families appreciate the outpouring of support we have received. We ask for privacy as we go through this very difficult time. Urgent inquiries please contact David Hyde [email protected]
If he’s receiving palliative care, it’s likely he’s staying at somewhere like this Hospice Cincinnati, but his location has not been released in case his peace is affected by swarms of well-wishers. Cooke has been a tremendous influence on 21st Century comics. After working on Batman: The Animated Series (and really not getting enough attention for his influence there), Cooke created [amazon text=Justice League: The New Frontier&asin=1401203507] for DC Comics, an Elseworlds story set at the beginning of the space race. Later adapted into one of the best of the DC Universe animated movies, The New Frontier was a shot of energy to the Justice League, and to DC.
Cooke’s other major works have included his graphic novels based on Richard Starke’s [amazon text=Parker&asin=1600109802] novels, and being one of the architects of DC’s Before Watchmen. Just last week we talked about Parker on the podcast.
We respect the Cooke family’s privacy, and send good thoughts and prayers their way.
