Originally Posted By DlandDug I am sad to report that Dave Stevens, the creator of the comic book The Rocketeer, used as the basis of the Disney film, has died. He had been fighting leukemia for several years. He was just 52. Dave Stevens and I used to frequent the same comic shop in Portland, where he grew up. I always knew he was a good artist, and was very excited when he achieved mainstream success. We got together in LA a couple of times when mutual friends would visit from Portland. (Dave once took us to one of his favorite Italian restaurants in the Valley, saying that Robert Blake often could be found in a back booth. Sure enough, Blake was there. It was the same restaurant, outside of which, Blake's wife was later shot and killed.) Dave Stevens had become a virtual recluse in recent years. It is now presumed it was because of his illness. It's quite a shock-- he was so young. There is a memorial book on the official site: <a href="http://www.davestevens.com/" target="_blank">http://www.davestevens.com/</a> (Please note that this site contains Dave's art, which includes many images of a "cheesecake" variety. Dave had a life long fascination with Bettie Page.)
Originally Posted By DlandDug Here is Dave's obituary from today's LA Times. <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-stevens13mar13" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/news/ob ituaries/la-me-stevens13mar13</a>,1,4444056.story
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Sad news. A talented guy. Thanks for letting us know, DlandDug.
