Goodbye Jim Aparo

Fred Hembeck has reported that Jim Aparo has passed away at the age of 72. (Via Spatula)

For me, Aparo drew the definitive version of Batman. While other artists like Neal Adams and Norm Breyfogle have done brilliant work with the character, it was Aparo's art that first made me check out the adventures of the Dark Knight. I believe his long association with Batman is the closest equivalent to Curt Swan's run on Superman or Jack Kirby's with the Fantastic Four. He didn't create the character, but he did help recruit a generation of new fans.

He was a solid artist and I hope his work will be appreciated by future generations.

Goodbye Jim Aparo, Gotham will never be the same.