Keith Giffen, the creator of Rocket Raccoon, has died at the age of 70
The comic community has lost one of its greats. Keith Giffen, whose work ranges from DC’s “Lobo”, Jamie Reyes’ version of “Blue Beetle” (74%) to Marvel’s “Rocket Raccoon”, has died at the age of 70. His former employee Paul Levitz confirmed the heartbreaking news on Facebook:
“The sad news is now official: Keith Giffen has set out to create new worlds beyond our reach (..) Keith was probably the most fertile creative mind of our generation in comics. He had endless ideas that were constantly being developed further.” Bladder formation The cause of death was given as a stroke.
Giffen was a pillar of the comics world, known for his innate talent as a writer and illustrator. Throughout his career, he left an indelible mark with his quirky, humorous and unorthodox style, which has been described as both challenging and innovative. Although he has worked on several iconic titles such as Legion of Super-Heroes, it was in series such as Justice League International that his sense of humor came to the fore. This ability to inject often absurd and sarcastic humor into superhero plots has earned her a special place in comic book history and made Giffen’s works easily recognizable and always memorable.
Wolf (Image: DC Comics)
Following her unmatched sense of humor, Giffen’s family announced her departure on Facebook with the words of Keith himself:
I told them I was sick… All I can do is avoid going to New York Comic Con, thanks.
Keith Ian Giffen was born on November 30, 1952 in Queens, New York. His talent for comics was evident from his earliest days, debuting with “The Sword and The Star” in Marvel Preview #4 in 1976. It wasn’t long before he and Bill Mantlo created a Rocket Raccoon in 1976, further cementing their status in the industry. It’s impossible to talk about Giffen’s career without mentioning her contributions to DC Comics. His work on “Legion of Super-Heroes” and “Justice League” is a testament to his skill as a creator. Additionally, he was instrumental in creating iconic characters such as Lobo and Rocket Raccoon. Paul Levitz paid tribute to his long-time colleague and friend with the words:
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We have done more than 60 stories together. Many of them made it much better than they could have been with any other collaborator because of their ideas and contributions to the character moments and drama.
Despite his fame, Keith was known away from the public eye as a “voter miser” and a loving family man.
Over the years, Giffen has influenced many facets of the comics world. From his illustrations and scripts on Legion of Super-Heroes in the 1980s and 1990s to his work on Omega Men, where he introduced Lobo to the world. His influence was felt at various publishers, from Marvel and DC to Dark Horse and Valiant Comics.
As the comic book world mourns the loss of one of its biggest stars, it is comforting to know that his legacy lives on in the pages he created and in the hearts of the fans who loved him. Although details of the commemorations are not yet available, Giffen’s impact on the industry is undeniable and her legacy will live on.
In Levitz’s words:
Keith was a miser by choice, an act he perfected and enjoyed. He was a family man when he was not seen in public and his tender moments came to light. And a hug to your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Oh, and Anna, now that you have him back, take care of him like you always have; He was never the same after you left.