Keith Giffen Passes Away at 70

Ambush Bug.
Jamie Reyes’ Blue Beetle.
Lobo.
Justice League Antarctica.
The Great Darkness Saga.

“BWAH HA HAAAA!”

All of these summon Keith Giffen to mind. From his time drawing & co-writing LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES with Paul Levitz – including the immortal “Great Darkness Saga” – to turning JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, into JUSTICE LEAGUE, and then to JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL. He co-created LOBO, meant to be a throw away villain for THE OMEGA MEN, but that Fraggin’ Bastich just wouldn’t stay down.

Giffen suffered a stroke on October 8th & then passed away on October 9th. On his Facebook page tonight, he actually had a last post put up – in his own inimitable style – as seen below:

He also co-created ROCKET RACCOON with Bill Mantlo & introduced us to the dynamic comedic teaming of Blue Beetle (Ted Kord’s) & Booster Gold, aka THE BLUE & THE GOLD.

But I think my favorite Giffen moment – and undoubtedly thousands of other fans’ – is Batman kayoing Guy Gardner with one punch in JUSTICE LEAGUE (1987) #1, as seen below:

Farewell, Mr. Giffen.

Thank you for ALL the laughter.

BWAH HA HAAAAAA, indeed.