Comics legend Irv Novik died this morning (friday) following a long illness. He was 88 years old.
Novick began his career in comics in 1939 at MLJ (now Archie), drawing many of the company’s superhero characters. Novick’s art graced the debut of Pep Comics #1, which also served as the first appearance of The Shield. Years after, Novick moved to DC thanks to Robert Kanigher, and illustrated several of the publisher’s war comics.
Novick moved in and out of comics throughout the years, but eventually returned to DC, where he worked freelance. Novick became known for his distinctive style on nearly all of DC’s superheroes, only stopping work – reluctantly – in the late ‘90s as his eyesight deteriorated.
Most recently, Novick had suffered a fall in 2001 and had been confined to a wheelchjair. Despite this, Novick and his wife Sylvia attended the 2002 San Diego Comic Con. In 2003, Novick entered a physical rehabilitation facility.
― Huk-L, Monday, 18 October 2004 15:21 (twenty-one years ago)