Joe Kubert Dead at 85

Joe Kubert is dead at 85. He is best known as the Sgt. Rock and Hawkman artist. In his later years he started in New Jersey, the Joe Kubert art school. Many talented people came out of The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art.

Joe was an artist since the early days of DC Comics and like his counterparts in the industry, it was a shame to be a comic book artist back then. The money and the hours were lousy and many battles were fought and still are over ownership of characters by his peers. Respect and money have made Joe Kubert a recognized artist in many circles. His two sons Andy and Adam Kubert followed dad in his footsteps are well known artists too in the same milieu.

“It’s become dramatically more accessible to make a livelihood with this business than it ever has been,” said Kubert. Back when he started, for many artists, comics were seen as a shameful way to work. He said successful movies starring comic book heroes upped the cachet of comics.

“We’ve gained a respectability that nobody who started in my business ever dreamed,” said Kubert. “… It’s amazing how money changes things.”