Today saw the passing of the great Frank Frazetta at the age of 82 from a stroke.  According to one of his business managers, Rob Pistella, Frazetta fell ill after a Mother’s Day dinner.  Emergency medical services were called and Mr. Frazetta was rushed to the hospital, where he died.

Frazetta broke into the industry draw for comic strips like Al Capp’s Lil’ Abner and comic books like Famous Funnies in the 1940’s and 50’s.  He famously contributed a series of covers depicting Buck Rogers.  In 1952 and 53 he produced his own newspaper strip called Johnny Comet.  In 1964 he drew the poster for the movie What’s New Pussycat? and then went on to depict such characters as Conan and Death Dealer.

His style was unmistakable and there’s many a vans that depict his style on their sides.  His painted covers reach to such heavy metal albums like Molly Hatchet’s Flirtin’ With Disaster and Nazareth’s Expect No Mercy.

Most recently his family was in a dispute over his art legacy and November the cover artwork for Conan the Conqueror went to an unnamed collector for $1 million.

His impact was huge and many of today’s artists were inspired by him.  There was only one Frank Frazetta and he will be missed.