Comic book creators pay tribute to Denny O’Neil
Comic book creators pay tribute to Denny O’Neil
News of Denny O’Neil’s passing earlier this week continues to reverberate throughout the comic book industry. In a career that spanned five decades, O’Neil left an impact on the medium that cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to his work at DC Comics. Its running on Batman starring artist Neal Adams completely redefined the Dark Knight in the ’70s. However, O’Neil certainly didn’t play favorites. He’s also made his home in Marvel Comics’ bullpen and mentored Frank Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz, and countless others.
O’Neil’s demise also gave some of the most notable names in the comic book industry a chance to reflect on his artistry and influence. You can read what some of them had to say via Twitter below.
to greater respectability and acceptance as an art form. Through his work and mentorship, he has influenced generations of writers and artists. I was so amazed to meet Denny for the first time, but he was just the nicest. Our condolences to his family and to his many fans around the world. 2 /
– Jim Lee (@JimLee) June 12, 2020
Denny O’Neil made timeless comics by doing comics about his time. The revolutions of the 60s, the excesses of the 70s, the corruption of the 80s, the facades of the 90s, he used superhero tropes as brushstrokes to paint a picture of who we are and who we could. to be. TEAR. pic.twitter.com/eWwI6tfnrp
– Tom King (@TomKingTK) June 12, 2020
Later, I had the pleasure of working with Denny early in my career when he was my editor when I toured with Daredevil and then The Dark Knight. I have learned so much from him and he will be sorely missed.
– Frank Miller (@FrankMillerInk) June 12, 2020
Crushed to hear about Denny O’Neil. I first met him in 2012 filming this reel of extras for Batman Year One and couldn’t stop having a blast. He was so kind and supportive, and I feel lucky that I got to know him over the years. True giant. The lights go out in Gotham tonight https://t.co/OUFleKcNbL
– Scott Snyder (@ Ssnyder1835) June 12, 2020
We owe him more than you think.
Batman.
Green arrow.
And “During his editing time at Marvel, he was the one who hired then-newcomer Frank Miller to take over the title Daredevil.”
RIP Denny O’Neil#DennyOneil #ripdennyoneil pic.twitter.com/yeeWuo4K2i– Brad Meltzer (@bradmeltzer) June 12, 2020
When I started in the business, there were some editors who had my respect from the moment I walked into the room, just because of who they were, what they had accomplished. Denny O’Neil was one of those editors. How lucky I was to learn from one of the best. pic.twitter.com/N1PV1at0Wz
– JM DeMatteis (@JMDeMatteis) June 12, 2020
The Bat Bard passes, which makes for a tough traveling world without DENNY O’NEIL. He made us a Dark Knight Detective, asked an amazing question, and notched a classic green arrow. Talk to this legend about Fat Man on Batman & @ComicBookMenAMC were the fanboy highlights of my life. TEAR pic.twitter.com/fNGWGkCv2d
– KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) June 12, 2020
These comics are an indelible part of my childhood, my teenage years, and my adulthood. There is a short list of comic book creators who fueled my love for comics to the point that I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Denny O’Neil is one of those rare giants. pic.twitter.com/bnWcHgwVyr
– Please wear your mask (@DanSlott) June 12, 2020
RIP Denny O’Neil.
He gave me my first regular inking gig (Master of Kung Fu) long before I had a clue what I was doing. Sorry to see him go.– Mike Mignola (@artofmmignola) June 12, 2020
Words cannot express what Denny meant to me and to so many others. I have learned more in the short time I have had the good fortune to work with both He and Archie Goodwin, than perhaps all of my years in the business. https://t.co/ESbFVOBMBk
– JoeQuesada (@JoeQuesada) June 12, 2020
RIP Master Denny O’Neil. Thank you for everything you have given us. https://t.co/m9nZantGiZ
– Greg Capullo (@GregCapullo) June 12, 2020
RIP Denny O’Neil. I was such a fan of this guy that I still have his faxed handwritten notes for my Superman: Red Son proposal as a souvenir in my office. A true gentleman who pretty much reinvented what a comic book writer was capable of. https://t.co/3G0xCapaVI
– Mark Millar (@mrmarkmillar) June 12, 2020
The comics wouldn’t be the same without Denny O’Neil. As a writer, editor and mentor, he set the highest standards. Denny has left an indelible mark on our art form and his legacy will live on forever. He may have put down his quill, but the ink will never dry.
– CB Cebulski (@CBCebulski) June 12, 2020
You can continue to share your favorite Denny O’Neil memories in the comments section below.
Recommended reading: Batman by Neal Adams Volume 1
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