So long, Steve

The groundbreaking Steve Gerber, creator of Howard the Duck, Omega the Unknown and so much more, died Sunday due to complications stemming from pulmonary fibrosis. Personally, I thought his work on Hard Time, the longest lasting title from DC's fleeting Focus imprint, was one of the more interesting and intelligent things the company had put out for a long time.

Gerber's influence will be missed, but I'd like to think his work will endure and continue to inspire.

Mark Evanier and Tom Spurgeon have excellent write-ups on the life and often irreverent times of Steve Gerber, so give them a read, and then find some back-issues and treat yourself to some of Gerber's work itself. You — and I think Gerber — will be glad you did.