Joe Giella inks over Carmine Infantino pencils.
Joe Giella, long-time silver age comic book artist, known for Batman, as well as a 25 year stint on Mary Worth, passed away on Tuesday. He was 94.
A gracious and kind gentleman, I was fortunate to know him and have lunch with him for years as fellow Berndt Toast Gang members.
From the Giella family:
The Giella family wishes for all to celebrate the incredible life
of Joe Giella.
Joe passed peacefully on March 21st at the age of 94.
Joe was such a special person. His presence alone would put you
at ease. Even on the most difficult days, just being with him would make
everything OK again.
He was so honest and sincere, so kind and gentle and so loving and proud.
He was so proud of his service for his country in the US Navy.
He was so proud of his long prolific career in comic books and comic strips.
And
he was most proud of his family. To him, family was everything. Nothing
made him happier than sitting around the dinner table with family and
friends. Sundays and Holidays became sacred events full of laughter and
great food.
Joe’s legacy in comic books and comic
strips will live on. Our family wishes to thank all of his friends and
fans for their support. He truly was humbled by all the attention and
love he received. Thank you all and when you think of Joe please try to
smile. The world needs more superheroes like Joe.
Joe Giella
June 27, 1928 – March 21, 2023
From June Brigman's Facebook page:
Joe
Giella passed away, March 21st, at the age of 94. I met Joe in 2016,
when he handed me the reins of Mary Worth, a comic strip he had drawn
for 25 years. His lovely wife shook my hand told me a very heartfelt
"Thank you!" At the age of 87, Joe was finally retiring. But let me tell
you, he was a hard act to follow. Joe was a consummate professional and
an excellent draftsman. He did exciting, dynamic superheroes as well as
the endless repetition of a syndicated comic strip and always
maintained a high standard of quality. Joe told me he wanted to paint. I
hope he did. I know they must be lovely paintings.
From Berndt Toast Gang Chair Adrian Sinnott:
Incredibly sad news today, our beloved, Joe Giella, passed away last
night. As you all know, Joe was a giant in the cartooning world and
loved by all who knew him. His incredible work spanned decades and
admired by all who saw it. Especially by his thousands upon thousands of
fans. When Joe retired, he found himself busier than ever creating
pieces for those fans.
Those of us in the Berndt Toast Gang and the National Cartoonists Society had the extraordinary gift of knowing Joe as a friend and colleague.
Those of us in the Berndt Toast Gang and the National Cartoonists Society had the extraordinary gift of knowing Joe as a friend and colleague.
A wake will be held on Friday.
Don Orehek, Joe and me at Bunny Hoest's home in 2010.
Related:
Joe Giella: 'I feel that I haven't done my best work yet.' 93-year-old artist continues drawing after long career in comics
Joe Giella Interview: "Legendary Artist Stays Busy During Pandemic"
Karen Moy and Joe Giella Talk About Creating MARY WORTH
Video: The Joe Giella 1998 Shoot Interview by David Armstrong
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1 comment:
It occurs to me that one of the secrets of becoming a successful professional cartoonist was to reside in Connecticut.
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