[[File:Ernie Colón (cropped).jpg|thumb|Ernie Colón in 2015.]]
Ernesto "Ernie" Colón (July 13, 1931 – August 8, 2019) was an American comic book artist, illustrator, and writer. He was known for his prolific career spanning over six decades, working for numerous publishers across a wide range of genres, from horror and fantasy to superhero and children's comics, and later, critically acclaimed graphic adaptations of non-fiction works.
Early Life and Career
Colón was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and moved to New York City at a young age. He began his career in the early 1960s, initially working on various assignments for companies like Harvey Comics, where he contributed to popular titles such as Richie Rich and Casper the Friendly Ghost. His early work often showcased a clean, expressive style that could adapt to both humorous and more dramatic narratives.Work for Warren Publishing and DC Comics
In the 1970s, Colón became a prominent artist for Warren Publishing, illustrating stories for their black-and-white horror magazines Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella. His detailed and atmospheric artwork was well-suited for the macabre and gothic themes of these publications.He joined [[DC Comics]] in the late 1970s and became a key artist for the publisher throughout the 1980s. Some of his most notable works at DC include:
- [[Arak, Son of Thunder]] (1981–1985), co-created with Roy Thomas.
- [[Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld]] (1983–1984), co-created with Dan Mishkin and Gary Cohn.
- [[Doom Patrol]]
- [[Wonder Woman]]
- [[Damage]]
- [[El Diablo]]
His work for DC often featured imaginative designs and dynamic layouts, contributing significantly to the visual identity of these characters and series.
Marvel Comics and Other Projects
Colón also worked for [[Marvel Comics]] during his career, contributing to titles such as Power Man and Iron Fist, Thor, and various Secret Wars tie-ins. He maintained a versatile freelance career, illustrating for companies like Gold Key Comics (on titles like Doctor Solar) and providing artwork for various magazines and independent projects.Later Career and Graphic Adaptations
In the 2000s, Colón gained renewed recognition for his work on several graphic adaptations of non-fiction books, collaborating frequently with writer [[Sid Jacobson]]. These projects were praised for making complex subjects accessible through the comic book medium. Key collaborations with Jacobson include:- ''[[The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation]]'' (2006) – A graphic novel adaptation of the 9/11 Commission Report, which became a New York Times bestseller.
- ''Che: A Graphic Biography'' (2007)
- ''[[Anne Frank: The Graphic Biography]]'' (2010)
- ''A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel'' (2011–2012) – Colón illustrated the first several issues of the adaptation of George R.R. Martin's novel.
His later work demonstrated a continued mastery of storytelling and an ability to convey emotional depth and historical detail with clarity and impact.
Death
Ernie Colón died on August 8, 2019, at the age of 88, following a battle with cancer. His passing was widely mourned by the comic book community, which remembered him as a prolific, versatile, and influential artist whose career spanned multiple eras and genres of the medium.Selected Bibliography
- ''Richie Rich'' (Harvey Comics)
- ''Casper the Friendly Ghost'' (Harvey Comics)
- ''Creepy'' (Warren Publishing)
- ''Eerie'' (Warren Publishing)
- ''Vampirella'' (Warren Publishing)
- ''Doctor Solar'' (Gold Key Comics)
- ''Arak, Son of Thunder'' (DC Comics)
- ''Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld'' (DC Comics)
- ''Doom Patrol'' (DC Comics)
- ''Wonder Woman'' (DC Comics)
- ''Power Man and Iron Fist'' (Marvel Comics)
- ''Thor'' (Marvel Comics)
- ''The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation'' (Hill & Wang)
- ''Anne Frank: The Graphic Biography'' (Hill & Wang)
- ''A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel'' (Dynamite Entertainment)
[[Category:American comic book artists]] [[Category:Puerto Rican comics artists]] [[Category:1931 births]] [[Category:2019 deaths]] [[Category:DC Comics artists]] [[Category:Marvel Comics artists]] [[Category:Harvey Comics artists]] [[Category:Warren Publishing artists]]