.I just heard the sad news that Tim Sale has died.
It’s with a heavy sadness that I must announce that Tim Sale passed away today. He passed with the love of his life beside him, and loves all of you very much. Please share photos and stories under this post, as we hope to share them with the community.
— Remembering Tim Sale (@ArtBySale) June 16, 2022
Not entirely unexpected – it sounded pretty final from Jim Lee’s comments the other day – but still very sad news.
He was always a favourite and I have a ton of his stuff, I’ll have to dig some out for a reread.
Superman For All Seasons in particular is wonderful and underrated I think.
RIP.
I loved his art, in particular his Batman-Halloween related work.
RIP.
I loved his art, in particular his Batman-Halloween related work.
He is one of a handful of creators that you can say has had a truly defining impact on the character. Long Halloween in particular has been a massive influence on a lot of Batman stories in various media that came afterwards.
I was also a big fan of his “colour” comics with Loeb at Marvel, particularly Daredevil: Yellow and Spider-Man: Blue, both of which feel effortlessly classic and timeless with an undercurrent of bittersweet nostalgia.
His art is beautiful throughout and somehow captures the essential appeal of the characters while translating them into his unique style.
I was delighted when his work found a wider audience with Heroes too.
Bill Sienkiewicz created this, which apparently Sale got to see before he died (and loved).
Sad news. He’ll be missed.
His Batman work is deservedly well known, but for me, it was Superman For All Seasons that is most special. A lovely exploration of Clark’s younger years, perfectly captured with gorgeous colouring. I think it deserves a re-read in his honour.
Spider-man Blue a close runner up for much the same reason.
As with Cooke and Weiringo and Breyfogle (and others), I have work in my collection of Tim’s that I haven’t yet read. I think they will remain that way for ever now. Because the thought of never having new material from him again is pretty heart breaking.
RIP.
Awful news; The Long Halloween was one of the first Batman stories I ever read. Love his work.
His name will always be synonymous will The Long Halloween for me, but Superman For All Seasons is a close second.
What a career!
66 years old is, while not surprising, still too young.
I hope the Big Two give him the credit he deserves (like with George Perez recently).
I reread this issue today. I still remember picking it up on a whim at my LCS (it was the first issue of Solo I think), reading it on the train home, and loving it.
It’s a great showcase for Tim Sale’s work – yes there’s a cool Batman/Catwoman story and a nostalgic and bittersweet Superman story, but there are also some more grounded and realistic tales in here, often with a sense of melancholy and a yearning for the past that hits even harder after his death. What a talent.
I’m going to embark on a wider reread of his stuff I think.
I opened this up to begin looking through it tonight and ended up staying up until almost midnight reading through the whole thing in one sitting.
It’s a lovely big hardcover retrospective of Sale’s life and career, largely recounted through a chatty and candid conversation with Richard Starkings (covering all sorts of comics-related topics, including some really interesting observations on other creators) that weaves throughout the book, accompanied by absolutely tons of great art, some published and some behind the scenes.
A worthy tribute and a really enjoyable read.
