As members of the comic book industry awoke today, they were confronted by the news that one of the greatest artists in comics history had died.

Gene Colan, 84, worked in the industry nearly 70 years and influenced countless artists with his legendary work on series like Daredevil, Doctor Strange and Tomb of Dracula.

 

 ENLARGE

“Gene Colan was like no other artist of his generation," said Jim Lee, artist and co-publisher at DC Entertainment. "His ability to create dramatic, multi-valued tonal illustrations using straight India ink and board was unparalleled. The comics industry has lost one of its true visionaries today."

"Gene is one of those rare breed of comic book artists that invent their own idiom," said Tom Brevoort, executive editor and senior VP of publishing for Marvel Comics. "Colan’s work never looked like anybody else’s—he was a true originator, a one-of-a-kind visionary. In terms of both tenure and quality of work, it would be hard to point to many peers who had a career the equal of Gene Colan’s. Beyond that, he was a gentle pixie of a man, sensitive and almost childlike in the glee he took in old black and white movie, and, of course, the work."

 

 ENLARGE

“Gene Colan is a one-of-a-kind artist whose style is as synonymous with my early comics-reading experience as that of Jack Kirby, Neal Adams or John Buscema," said Axel Alonso, editor-in-chief at Marvel. "When you read a comic book that Gene illustrated you are transported into his world.  When I think Dracula, the first image that pops into my mind is Gene’s rendition. I’m sure I’m not alone."

"Gene Colan was one of the great draftsmen in the industry and his work is a fond part of some of my best comic book memories," said Dan DiDio, co-publisher at DC Comics.

As so many creators are sharing their memories of the artist, we decided to let Gene's work do the talking for the vast number of people in the industry whom he influenced. So we asked comic creators the following question:

What is your favorite Gene Colan work and why?