RIP Jerry Robinson (1922 - 2011)

Jerry Robinson, an early Batman artist, the primary creator of The Joker, an acclaimed editorial cartoonist, and a champion of creators’ rights has died. Comic Book Resources has an obit up now and there will be an A.V. Club piece up later today. I met Robinson, briefly, at the San Diego Comic Con a few years back, just long enough to get a sketch, like many others. I don’t know how many times he drew Batman in his life, but the one he drew for me still has the spark of life to it and it’s creators like Robinson—to say nothing of Bill Finger and everyone else who labored in Bob Kane’s shadow—whose work made sure we’re still talking about Batman today.