The comics industry has lost another one of its own to the COVID-19 virus. Artist Robson Rocha, who became famous for their work with DC Comics lived in whose works included Aquaman, the Rebirth series Green Lanterns with writer Sam Humphries and many others has passed at the age of 41.
News of Rocha’s passing comes less than two weeks after friend and fellow artist Fabi Marques posted on Twitter that Rocha was hospitalized with COVID-19 and was in dire need of blood donations.
Robson broke into comics as an artist in 2010, signing an exclusive art deal with DC Comics in 2016, getting his biggest break when he took over interior artwork for Aquaman, working with writer Kelly Sue DeConnick with issue #43.
By Robson Rocha,
Daniel Henriques
Other credits include both interiors and covers for books such as Lobo, Sinestro, Birds of Prey, Superboy, Batman/Superman, and the recent Future State: Justice League.
Following his exclusive signing with DC Comics, Rocha said about the opportunity:
“I’ve been a fan of comic books since I was a child. To have the opportunity to work with the DC characters I admire and love so much is a dream come true. These heroes have helped me believe in a better and much more fantastic world. I hope that my contributions to these characters will help to inspire others.”
Sunday, Fabi Marques confirmed Rocha’s passing in a post to Twitter:
I’m really sorry to inform that we lost Robson. One of the greatest artists of our generation. Rest in power.
Eu sinto informar que perdemos o Robson, infelizmente ele não resistiu ao covid, uma doença para qual há uma vacina. Um dos maiores artistas da nossa geração. pic.twitter.com/RaL2btf9ms
— oi linda belas tatu (@porrafabizinha) July 11, 2021
The outpouring of condolences on Twitter included Yildiray Cinar, who tweeted:
So sorry to learn that Robson Rocha left us today. RIP Robson. So young and early… My condolences to his family, his loved ones and all his fans… ?? pic.twitter.com/pbyDUrX8aW
— Yildiray Cinar (@ycinar) July 11, 2021
Kelly Sue DeConnick also tweeted about the loss of Rocha:
We lost Robson Rocha. He's been ill with Covid complications for a while, but things were starting to look better for a bit. And then… no. I'm still processing all this, I guess, so I don't have much to say. Trying to figure out what to do, how best to support his family.
— Kelly Sue DeConnick (@kellysue) July 11, 2021
Jim Lee, DC Comics Chief Creative Officer-Publisher:
…the grace of his lines and the power of his compositions. My condolences first and foremost to his widowed wife and daughter, his many peers who admired and respected his talent, and the countless fans around the world who loved and cherished his art. #RIP #robsonrocha
— Jim Lee (@JimLee) July 11, 2021
Rocha and his artwork will be greatly missed by family, friends, and his many fans.
REST IN POWER