Iconic Marvel, DC Artist and Apocalypse Co-Creator Jackson “Butch” Guice Has Died

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Jackson “Butch” Guice, a renowned comic artist, passed away at the age of 63. Throughout his long career that spanned over a decade, he worked for both Marvel and DC Comics. He gained significant recognition on the X-Men book titled “X-Factor,” where he was one of the co-creators of Apocalypse, a formidable X-Men villain, and The Flash comic, contributing to the start of Wally West’s stint as the Flash. During the early ’90s, Guice also illustrated Action Comics, featuring key installments of the hit series “The Death of Superman,” “World Without a Superman,” “Funeral for a Friend,” “Reign of the Supermen,” and “Return of Superman.” His brother-in-law announced his passing on Facebook, expressing heartfelt sentiments about Guice’s life.

Everywhere he went, people admired his exceptional artistic skills, which brought lifelike works of genuine art to life. However, respect for him went beyond his craftsmanship; people trusted him because they knew they’d receive an honest, straightforward response from him, rather than a pre-packaged, diluted answer. His peers respected him for being reliable and trustworthy, as the authenticity of his work was unquestionable, just like the truth behind his words. Unfortunately, in today’s world, trustworthiness is uncertain at best.

Starting out with fanzine creation, Guice’s first professional artwork emerged in 1982 from ‘The Crusaders’. Despite doing preliminary work with Pat Broderick on the ‘Rom Annual #1’, it was his work on fanzines and ‘Rom’ that caught Marvel editor Al Milgrom’s eye. Recognizing his talent, Milgrom offered Guice a trial run on ‘Micronauts #48’. Impressed by his work, he went on to illustrate the subsequent ten issues of the comic, simultaneously contributing to ‘The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe’. Known for his “Butch Guice Portfolio” series of pin-ups, he worked on various titles including ‘X-Men and the Micronauts’, ‘Dazzler’, and the adaptation of ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’. His major breakthrough was with ‘X-Factor’, where he drew issues #1-3 and #5-7. He collaborated with writer Mike Baron before moving on to ‘The Flash’, providing a polished beginning for Wally West as the Flash.

During the golden age of Superman comics, Guice’s tenure on Action Comics showcased his exceptional abilities as a comic artist, particularly on the first superhero. His issues of Action were highly praised, with his intricate linework and style perfectly complementing the book. Guice was instrumental in creating the Eradicator stories during “Reign of the Supermen,” demonstrating remarkable skill in portraying a darker version of Superman. The public’s fascination with Superman grew significantly due to Guice’s work, as many new readers were attracted to the series following “The Death of Superman.” This event introduced an entire new generation of comic enthusiasts to Guice’s talent and added fuel to the excitement surrounding his work.

For many admirers, Guice’s most notable work was “Resurrection Man.” Written by the duo Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, “Resurrection Man” followed Mitch Shelley, a man who came back to life after death with a unique superpower each time. This series lasted from 1997 to 1999 over 28 issues (#1-27 and #1,000,000) and Guice’s artwork truly established the book’s distinct visual character. Guice was an artist of exceptional talent; his work appeared straightforward yet possessed a unique style. Throughout his career, he collaborated with some of the most renowned writers in modern comic history — Mark Waid, Brian Michael Bendis, Chris Claremont, Warren Ellis, Abnett and Lanning, among others. Although his productivity decreased in the ’10s and ’20s, he remains a legend and will be deeply missed. Don’t hesitate to check out his “Resurrection Man”; you won’t regret it.

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2025-05-03 00:12