SUPERHERO MISSING: ARTIST DAVE STEVENS R.I.P.

June 2008

To those who knew of him, he was one of the most talented artists/illustrators in the industry. To the masses, he was best known as the creator of “The Rocketeer,” which became a cult hit Disney film of the same name. Dave Stevens was also a man obsessed with the beauty and legend of Betty Page, both personally and artistically, and eventually found her alive and well. His contribution to her was getting her all the moneys due for her likeness used over the years. As Dave himself had stated, he had spent years wondering what had happened to her, only to end up taking her to deposit her social security checks. They had become good friends, and Dave was very influential in getting Betty’s name in the popular market once again.

Dave was a friend to many, and was always seen at the bigger comic book conventions. People would be able to see his latest works, along with the classics. The irony of Dave’s talent was that what made him great, also tortured him. He was a consummate perfectionist who was never truly happy with his output. As Dave had said once, he could count on one hand the amount of work he’s created that he truly felt lived up to his expectations. He would agonize for very long periods of time to get current works “just right.” This led to many in the industry joking that he was just slow. But the fact was that he wanted to create work that suited his personal goals and ideals, before that of the masses (who were much easier placated).

Aside from “The Rocketeer,” it was probably lesser known to most that Dave had worked as a storyboard artists, in the late 1970s, on such Hanna-Barbera animated TV shows as “Super Friends,” and “Godzilla Power Hour.” Dave had also done storyboarding for “Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark,” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video. “The Rocketeer” was a veritable “throw away” story as a backup to Pacific Comics’ “Starslayer,” and later moved to “Pacific Presents.” The title began to gain a following, and the female character reminiscent of Betty Page began to resurrect interest in the former 1950s pin-up queen.

Although Dave had wanted to keep his illness a secret from the public, it did become known that he had contracted Leukemia. At the time I found out, I myself had just beaten it recently, and wanted to “welcome him to the club,” and let him know it would be OK. Unfortunately, after all the years I’ve seen him and chatted with him, I was not able to find him his last year, never got to tell him it would be fine, and in the end, very unfortunately, it was not OK. Dave succumbed to the illness on March 11, 2008, at a fairly young age of 52. The comic book world, and artistic industry in general, will sorely miss his talent and personality. This was one of the good guys, who you felt would live forever. I myself expected to see him for many Cons to come, probably into our 80s.

And so, now we have his artistic legacy to look back upon. The works that he has created will be available to see forever more, and are a fitting tribute to a man who just wanted to create the perfect pieces of art. May his pen never run dry wherever he is.

Written by Philip Anderson