Comics superstar Carlos Pacheco has passed away at age 60, according to several Spanish newspapers. He recently revealed that he was suffering from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) on his social media accounts.
Pacheco was a popular with his peers as a person as he was with editors for his always sparkling and precise work. Born in San Roque, Spain in 1962, he started his career working for Planeta-DeAgostini Comics, before being discovered by the American comics industry, where he became one of the first Spanish born artists to make a major impact. He rose through the ranks at Marvel and DC in the 90s with work on Bishop, the X-verse and The Flash as he gradually become a fan favorite, working with writers like Mark Waid, Kurt Busiek and Rafael Marin.
In the ’00’s he and Busiek teamed up on Arrowsmith, a creator owned book for Wildstorm set in a World War I with magic, that showed off his classic sense of design and figure drawing. He continued to be an elite artist with notable runs on Superman/Batman, Green Lantern, Avengers, Captain America and everything else.
Earlier this year, he reunited with Busiek for Arrowsmith: Behind Enemy Lines at Image. It would be among his last work, but after revealing his ALS diagnosis on social media. Pacheco posted what he said was his final work, a cover for Damage Control.
He also tweeted some more elegiac thoughts which could stand as his own obituary, from “And When I Die” from the band Blood, Sweat and Tears:
Other cartoonists tweeted their admiration for his work – and the man himself, a kind, gentle man.
https://twitter.com/thatpetewoods/status/1590379967799382017
Pacheco was famed in his native land, and his hometown of San Roque named a street after him.
Our condolences to Carlos’ family and many friends across the industry.
