Cody White
Russ Heath is being fondly remembered all across the comics industry today after losing his battle with cancer Thursday night in Long Beach, California.
Heath started with Timely Comics (now Marvel) in 1948, providing pencils for a number of Western comics, including Two-Gun Kid and Kid Colt, but it was in the 1950s that he began work on a variety of War comics that would leave an indelible mark on the industry. Known for his accuracy and realism, Heath was known to actually buy military memorabilia and uniforms to ensure the authenticity of his work. Perhaps his greatest entry into the war genre was the creation of The Haunted Tank in GI Combat #87 (May 1961).
Among other work, Heath is also remembered for his work on Playboy’s comic strip, Little Annie Fanny in the 1960s, and even is said to have lived at the Playboy Mansion for a time.
In 2009, Russ Heath was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame, ensuring his ever-lasting presence in the hearts of comics fandom. Rest in Power, Russ, and thanks for all the stories.
