Eulogy: Will Eisner

Will Eisner has just passed away at 87, due to complications from heart surgery.

Non-comics readers will probably not recognize the name, but followers of the medium will immediately recognize the loss of a great man.

Eisner, in a sense, is credited with steering comics away from the direction of run-of-the-mill funnybooks, and more into the direction of a storytelling medium. He wrote and drew The Spirit, a comic mature enough for adults yet readable by kids, for twelve years. His efforts spurred the creation of 'graphic novels', proper character creation techniques, story pacing and other aspects of the modern comic.

Even at 87, he was still active in the community of writers and artists that he had himself inspired. For years he was the presenter for the Eisner Awards - the industry honors of quality, creativity and excellence that had been appropriately named after him. At the time of this writing, his latest work, "The Plot", should be landing in stores within the month.

The comics field has just lost one of its pioneers, a man well-respected by millions of writers, artists and readers across the world. He will be remembered in the many creations he inspired. His legacy lives on.