“Keith Giffen, Comic Legend, Remembered and Mourned Across the Industry.”
Renowned comics author and artist Keith Giffen, who co-created iconic characters like DC’s Lobo, Blue Beetle (Jamie Reyes version), and Marvel’s Rocket Raccoon, has passed away at the age of 70. The news was shared by Giffen’s family in a pre-written, sardonic Facebook post, where he humorously mentioned his reluctance to attend the New York Comic Con. His death was attributed to a stroke.
Giffen is most celebrated for his work on the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 1980s and 1990s, which propelled the title to one of DC’s top-selling series. He also played a crucial role in the creation of Lobo, who evolved from a brutal villain to a beloved anti-hero. Additionally, he contributed to the Justice League International in 1987, showcasing his subversive and sarcastic sense of humor alongside writers J.M. DeMatteis and artist Kevin Maguire.
Giffen’s tenure at Marvel in the 1970s resulted in the introduction of Rocket Raccoon in Marvel Preview, later becoming a part of the Guardians of the Galaxy, popularized by James Gunn’s film trilogy. In 2006, he collaborated with TV writer John Rogers and artist Cully Hamner to create the character of Jaime Reyes, a Latino high school student who bonds with an alien-powered suit, redefining Blue Beetle. The character even headlined his Warner Bros. movie, making him a prominent Latino-centric character. Giffen’s contributions to the world of comics left an enduring legacy.
