ComicsPriceGuide.com is sad to report that legendary comic illustrator, Al Williams, passed away this past Sunday, June 13, 2010 at the age of 79. Williamson studied under master artist Burne Hogarth at Hogarth's Cartoonists and Illustrators School in New York City in the mid-1940s and later began his career at the age of 17, working as an illustrator for Eastern Color's Famous Funnies and Standard Comics' Wonder Comics.
In the early '50s, Williamson began illustrating for EC Comics, where he would work on such titles as Weird Science and Weird Fantasy along with fellow artist, Frank Frazetta. From there, Williamson worked on several western comic for Atlas before moving to help launch Creepy and Eerie horror magazines and contributing to Blazing Combat at Warren Publishing.
Williamson also illustrated the comic strip Secret Agent Corrigan working with writer Archie Goodwin from 1967-1980. In the early- to mid-'80s, he illustrated high-profile movie adaptions for Marvel Comics, including The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Blade Runner. He would later return to the Star Wars Universe in the late '90s to adapt The Phantom Menace and A New Hope for Dark Horse Comics.
Our condolences go out to Williamson's family and friends during this time of loss.
