Michael Turner (37), break-out pencilling talent and founder of Aspen Comics, passed away last night at Santa Monica Hospital in California, after a long battle with cancer. Turner’s dynamic style was seen on comic book covers from both Marvel and DC, as well as in the pages of such titles as Fathom, Superman/Batman, and Witchblade.

Turner was more than just a comic book artist. He was an award-winning skiier, a skilled martial artist, and a big-time video game fan. He was first discovered by Marc Silvestri at a comic book convention, and he soon moved on to work on various creator-owned projects, such as Fathom and Soulfire.

 Joe Quesada, the current Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, released this statement:

In this all access world, very little remains that one could consider truly “rare.” Mike Turner was one of those things. One of those rare individuals who come around once, maybe twice in a lifetime, a cut above the rest of us, special in every way, undeniably touched by god or whatever higher power you believe in.

I had the good fortune of knowing and working with Mike and because of this, I consider myself incredibly privileged as it allowed me the opportunity to have been touched by his talent and grace. And for that, I will always be thankful.

 Mike, it was a rare pleasure, Godspeed!

 JQ

A rare and skilled craftsman with a special talent for composition, Michael Turner will be missed greatly by the comic book community.

To read a remembrance of Michael Turner by his friend and colleague, Vince Hernandez (current Editor-in-Chief of Aspen Comics), click here.

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