Marvel Comic Artist Neal Adams Dies at 80

Iconic comic book artist Neal Adams passed away on Thursday in New York at the age of 80, his son, Josh, announced in a Facebook post.

"His career was defined by unparalleled artistic talent and an unwavering character that drove him to constantly fight for his peers and those in need," Josh Adams said in the post. "He would become known in the comics industry as one of the most influential creators of all time and champion social and creator's rights."

In a statement, DC Comics called Adams "one of the most acclaimed artists to have contributed to the comic book industry."

He worked with both DC and Marvel comics in the 1960s and 1970s, drawing characters like Batman, Superman, the Avengers, and the X-Men. The artist was also one of the creative forces behind the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series of the early 1970s.

Jim Lee, DC Publisher and chief creative officer, hailed Adams' illustrations of the Dark Knight.

"Neal Adams was an amazing illustrator, he changed comics. I loved his take on Batman. It was lithe, acrobatic, and dynamic. Neal's work continues to inspire me. This is a huge loss for the entire industry," Lee said in a statement.