Dave Stevens, R.I.P.

Dave Stevens, creator of the Rocketeer, passed away yesterday at the age of 53. As a coincidence, yesterday I was rereading an interview with Adam Hughes from the August 2002 issue of Comic Book Artist, in which Hughes speaks about Stevens' influence on him as an artist:

There was personality and there was craftsmanship in Dave's stuff. It is nostalgic and has a retro, classic quality. He is a guy whose work is really grounded in the Good Girl art in the 1930-50s tradition, and his take on the material is very honest. The women he drew were beautiful but never came across as crass.

Stevens and Hughes collaborated together on the "Pride" cover for DV8 #1, released in 1996.

Mark Evanier has written more on Stevens' passing here. He will be missed.