Jerry Robinson: 1922-2011

The enormously influential comic book artist Jerry Robinson passed away in his sleep at the age of 89 on Wednesday afternoon. Robinson is most widely known for creating one of the most famous villains of all time: The Joker. Robinson, who worked on the original Batman comics with co-creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger, was not originally credited with his original concept of the villain (this is still somewhat debated by the creators). Robinson was also an important player in the creation of reoccurring characters like Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth, and the villain Two-Face.

Having experienced not being credited personally, Robinson fought for comic book artist’s rights and was important in supporting Jerry Spiegel and Joe Shuster for gaining their recognition as the creators of Superman from DC in the ’70s.

According to IGN, an official statement from DC from co-Publisher Jim Lee sums up Robinson’s contribution this way:

“Jerry Robinson illustrated some of the defining images of pop culture’s greatest icons. As an artist myself, it’s impossible not to feel humbled by his body of work. Everyone who loves comics owes Jerry a debt of gratitude for the rich legacy that he leaves behind.”

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