Remembering Legendary GI Joe Artist Russ Heath!

Xerofall · 08-29-2018, 07:34 PM

It's been a few days, but legendary GI Joe artist Russ Heath has passed away. If you're not immediately familiar with his name, you'll certainly be familiar with his work, he was responsible for the basic look and feel for the Sunbow GI Joe characters, locations, animals, vehicles and storyboards.

He penciled issue #24, and inked issue #64. He also did a lot of work on titles like the Punisher and Punisher War Journal, etc...

Tim Finn has blogged a wonderful tribute on A Real American Book that I wanted to share with everyone here at Hiss Tank.

Formulazl1 · 08-29-2018, 09:49 PM

I do not recognize the name, but thank you for bringing this to light. May he Rest In Peace.

Trigue · 08-29-2018, 10:43 PM

Rest in peace, Mr Heath. Thank you for helping make our childhoods a little better and giving us wonderful memories we still hold on to today.

jlw515 · 08-30-2018, 06:28 AM

Man Issue 24 "The Commander Escapes" is one of my all-time favorite issues simply because of the art. As a kid, I didn't catch that the artist for that issue was also involved with the cartoon, which is probably why I liked the issue so much - because the characters looked more like what I saw on tv in the afternoon.

Russ Heath and Ron Wingham are probably my two favorite GIJoe Marvel artist.

Jason

Sean_C · 08-30-2018, 07:36 AM

RIP, Russ Heath. Classic old school illustrator.

Wish he'd done more comic issues, but his contributions to ARAH were great.

Wikipedia mentions he stayed at the Playboy mansion until he got kicked out. LOL.

Diablogunner · 08-30-2018, 08:30 AM

GI JOE 24 was one of my favorite issues. Sorry to hear he is gone, may his next adventure be exciting! Yo Joe!

Snakes · 08-30-2018, 09:03 AM

I liked his art style. I wish he would have done more issues.

Bubbavader · 08-30-2018, 11:34 PM

He will be missed. This is a relevant blog post from the ether. Note that someone compared his old work to Michael Golden (or is it the other way around?). Both Joe artists of note.

Was Russ ever involved in any JoeCons? If not, why not?

Dave Karlen Original Art Blog: Russ Heath: An Unknown Sergeant

edgecrusher · 08-31-2018, 12:21 AM

That Pythona sketch is beautiful!

backhawkdown · 08-31-2018, 10:20 PM

Great read! Wonderful sentiment to a worthy man.

08-29-2018, 07:34 PM	#1
Xerofall I just want foam gliders. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tooele (two-willa), Utah Posts: 18,728	It's been a few days, but legendary GI Joe artist Russ Heath has passed away. If you're not immediately familiar with his name, you'll certainly be familiar with his work, he was responsible for the basic look and feel for the Sunbow GI Joe characters, locations, animals, vehicles and storyboards. He penciled issue #24, and inked issue #64. He also did a lot of work on titles like the Punisher and Punisher War Journal, etc... Tim Finn has blogged a wonderful tribute on A Real American Book that I wanted to share with everyone here at Hiss Tank. __________________ Problems with the Club? Click me.... How to post pics to Hisstank? Click me.... BST Feedback

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08-31-2018, 10:20 PM	#10
backhawkdown Iron Grenadier Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA Posts: 760	Great read! Wonderful sentiment to a worthy man.