Comic book fans and pros alike are mourning the reported passing of José Delbo, the prolific Argentine artist who was probably best known for his long runs on the Wonder Woman comic book. We have no word on a cause of death but he was born in 1933 which would make him 90.
José was a comic artist in Argentina until 1963 when political unrest forced him to flee to Brazil. Two years later, he migrated to the United States where he secured work from Charlton, Dell and Western Publishing's Gold Key line. Among the many comics he illustrated were Billy the Kid, The Monkees, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, The Brady Bunch, Hogan's Heroes, Twilight Zone, The Mod Squad and Gold Key's adaptation of the movie Yellow Submarine. He began drawing for DC in 1969 and his first of many issues of Wonder Woman was in 1976.
He also taught. On Facebook, artist Steve Lieber wrote, "I met him in my first year at the Kubert school. A great teacher- funny, smart, and unwilling to accept any less than our best effort. ‘Mr. Lieber, your horse looks like a dog. Go home and work.' I will, José. Thank you."
José was a charming gentleman and a dedicated craftsman. We could use more like him.