Veteran comic book artist Juan Giménez's death from coronavirus leaves industry members devastated
Renowned Argentine comic book artist Juan Giménez, famed for works including 'The Metabarons' and 'The Fourth Power' among others, has passed away aged 76 after contracting the COVID-19 virus. Giménez had recently returned from Spain to his native city of Mendoza before displaying symptoms.
The artist who achieved widespread acclaim within the industry for his attention to detail and innovative style was reportedly admitted to the Mendoza Central Hospital on March 22, where he passed away on April 2.
A number of writers, artists, and other individuals from within the comic book industry have taken to social media to offer their condolences and urge people to take necessary precautions to avoid a similar fate.
"Beautiful thing at the end of each day," Ron Marz, writer of 'Batman/Aliens', 'DC vs. Marvel', 'Green Lantern', and much more, wrote as a caption for a beautiful piece of artwork by Giménez that he shared on his Twitter. "Today, of course, the great Juan Giménez. RIP. Stay home. Wash your hands."
"COVID-19 has taken a master from us - but he leaves behind an imagination that impacted a generation," 'Green Arrow' and 'Gen: Lock' writer Jackson Lanzing tweeted. "RIP Juan Gimenez. Tonight, let us all be Tonto, telling tales of our master the Metabaron."
Hugo & World Fantasy Award-winning illustrator John Picacio wrote, "Word is circulating that the great Juan Gimenez has passed, due to #COVID19 complications. He was the co-creator of THE METABARONS with @alejodorowsky. What a tremendous loss. True art visionary."
"I suspect this won't be the last big artist we lose to COVID-19 in comics, but it still sucks," comics writer and artist Sarah Horrocks tweeted. "Juan Gimenez's work in metabarons was always mindblowing to me. I had put off reading more of his work for a while. Always tomorrow or the next day. No more. RIP"
"So sorry to hear comics Maestro Juan Giménez has passed away yesterday due to coronavirus," Eisner-winning writer and artist Francesco Francavilla wrote. "He was an early fave of mine (read his stories in Eternauta, LanciiStory, Comic Art etc) and def an inspiration for anything Fantasy and SciFi. Gonna miss him greatly."
R.I.P Juan Giménez, you will be missed!
