We are saddened to note the passing of Dick Giordano, who was noted both as an artist and as an editor in the comic book field. He was 77 and apparently succumbed to complications from the treatment of leukemia, which he had battled for some time.

“It's difficult, if not impossible, to imagine a comic-book industry not graced and fostered by Dick Giordano,” wrote Michael Cavna on The Washington Post’s comic blog. “Giordano touched the field, the business and the craft in so many ways, so profoundly, that tracking his influence can quickly become Six Degrees of Dick Giordano. Whether at the drafting table or the editor's desk, he brought a keen eye to the development and betterment of many a superhero -- be it Charlton Comics or DC Comics or a Marvel gig.”

Giordano started his career with Charlton, eventually becoming the company’s Editor-in-Chief in the mid 1960s. He moved to DC, then left to launch Continuity Associates with Neal Adams. He returned to DC as an editor in 1980, and became Executive Editor in 1983. He stayed in the position until 1993, when he returned to the freelance world. He also co-founded the short-lived Future Comics.

"Dick Giordano was an inspiration for me when I first joined DC Comics,” said Dan DiDio, Co-Publisher, DC Comics. "He was an innovator and an industry leader as both a creator and a creative executive. He was truly one of the greats in the business."

“When I was just trying to break into comics back in 1986, I received a lot of form rejection letters, including a very gracious one from Dick at DC Comics. On the DC letterhead, he took the time to pen an additional personal note which I still cherish today. ‘Looking good–keep working at it.’ Those few words kept this often dejected young artist hanging in there as it took many many more submissions before I finally broke into comics,” said Jim Lee, Co-Publisher, DC Comics. “Thank you, Dick, for your words of encouragement, all the years of amazing art and editorial leadership at DC. And finally, for showing us artists how a great inker gets it done.”