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Newsarama has a nice roundup of comics people sharing their remembrances of Michael Turner.  It’s a little bit heartbreaking, but it’s also nice to see so many people whose lives were touched by the man and his work.

Often people get lionized when they pass, but Turner genuinely was that nice.  Fighting cancer for the majority of his career, and still, what people remember is how genuine and grateful the man was to his fans.  That’s a nice tribute.

The entire article is worth reading, but I’ll excerpt a bit here from Aspen Comics’ JT Krul:

Michael Turner had an aura about him. I know, it might sound corny, but those of you who had the pleasure to meet him know it’s the absolute truth. His positive energy shined a bright light onto anyone and everyone he came into contact with. He was smart; he was funny. And, when he got really excited about comics or a story we were working on, he’d get this big grin, his eyes would light up, and he’d say, “Dude…sweet.” He loved life and never let the darkness creeping around inside his body get the better of him. With all that admiration and success, it was also remarkable what a “regular” guy he was. Down-to-earth and humble, he never suffered from an excessive ego and truly appreciated each and every kind comment he received regarding his work.

– Matt Price

Michael Turner, popular comic-book artist and creator of “Fathom” and “Soulfire,” died last night, June 27, according to Aspen Comics’ Vince Hernandez.

Turner, 37, was widely considered one of the nicest people in comics, was always upbeat at convention appearances, even after his 2000 diagnosis with cancer.

The few times I met Turner personally, he fit the conventional wisdom about him — nicer than he had to be, more positive than anyone would expect.

Turner got his big break in 1997, as the initial artist on “Witchblade.” In 1998, he followed that up with his creator-owned title “Fathom,” which he moved to his own company, Aspen Comics, in 2002. He drew a multitude of covers and variant covers for Marvel and DC Comics, on projects including “Identity Crisis,” “Superman” and “Wolverine.” He and Jeph Loeb reintroduced Supergirl to the DC Universe in “Superman/Batman.”

“Fathom” was my favorite Michael Turner project, and it held a special place for me as the first “big book” we ordered at my comic-book store after I bought the place in 1998. The excitement of the fans for Turner’s “Fathom” — a brand new creation — is something I wish the industry could recapture.

Hernandez said those wishing to send condolences to Turner’s family can do so at this address:

Aspen MLT, Inc.
C/O Michael Turner
5855 Green Valley Circle, Suite 111
Culver City, CA, 90230

Aspen also encouraged donations to Turner’s requested charities, The American Cancer Society or The Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Newsarama and CBR also have reports on Turner’s death.

– Matt Price 

Matt Fraction joins Ed Brubaker as a co-writer on “Uncanny X-Men,” and I may not have been this potentially excited about the X-Men since Grant Morrison left.  (Well, I liked “Astonishing” an awful lot, too.)  Greg Land begins his run as the artist on “Uncanny,” and Marvel sent out four preview pages from “Uncanny X-Men” #500.  Also included — the Alex Ross, Greg Land and Michael Turner covers for “Uncanny X-Men” #500.   “Uncanny X-Men” #500 goes on sale July 23.

– Matt Price