It is with great regret that I announce the passing of yet another comics legend with the shocking news of Mr. Will Eisner's passing at the age of 87.

     Mr. Eisner died this past January 3rd due to complications after open heart surgery. Eisner,one of the founding fathers of modern era comics and the creator of the first graphic novelizations is probably best known for his creation of the guardian of Central City-"the SPIRIT" which had a popular following in the 1940's and 50's and to this day remains a cult classic of american comics.Will Eisner was the son of Jewish immigrants who came over to America in the early 1900's,Mr. Eisner is also a World War 2 veteran who witnessed firsthand some of the atrocities that the human race can inflict upon itself-this carried into his stories occasionally like in the novel "Last Days in Vietnam",he also was an innovator in comics construction or as he referred to it as "sequential art". His book "Will Einer's guide to Sequential Art" is still highly regarded as the ultimate book of choice in learning the business of comics art and publication. He also had an ironic sometimes quirky sense of humor which often reflected in his work like in such stories as "A Contract with God". Mr. Eisner's final graphic novel ,one he completed shortly before his death is entitled "The Plot" will be released later this year. Although I never had the honor of meeting Mr. Eisner I respected his work and am aware of the importance he represented to the medium of american and comics in general, as a small reflection of his value to the comics profession the highest award in comics today is named after him ,the Eisner awards represents the ultimate in excellence in the art of sequential storytelling and it's an honor just to be nominated , some past nominees and winners are Paul Chadwick(Concrete) , Mark Waid(Astro City), Frank Miller(Sin City,The Dark Knight Returns) ,and Alan Moore(Watchmen). If you love comics and American comics in particular pick up some of Eisner's work which is still available at all comics retail locations and on the internet -read up on how a true comics professional plied his trade and learn in the process how a true american art form was born.

Mr. Eisner , you will be sorely missed-peace be with you sir.

Will Eisner 1917-2005