News of Denny O’Neil’s passing earlier this week continues to reverberate throughout the comic book industry. During a career that spanned five decades, O’Neil left an impact on the medium that cannot be overstated, particularly when it comes to his work at DC Comics. His run on Batman with artist Neal Adams completely redefined the Dark Knight in the ’70s. However, O’Neil certainly didn’t play favorites. He also took up residence in Marvel Comics’ bullpen and mentored Frank Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz, and countless others.
O’Neil’s demise has also given some of the comic industry’s most standout names the chance to reflect on his artistry and influence. You can read what a few of them had to say via Twitter below.
to wider respectability & acceptance as an artform. Through his work & mentorship, he influenced generations of writers & artists. I was so starstruck meeting Denny for the first time, but he was just the kindest. Our condolences to his family & many fans around the world. 2/
— Jim Lee (@JimLee) June 12, 2020
Denny O’Neil made timeless comics by making comics about his time. The revolutions of the 60s, the excesses of the 70s, the corruption of the 80s, the facades of the 90s—he used super hero tropes as brushstrokes to paint a picture of who we are and who we could be. RIP. pic.twitter.com/eWwI6tfnrp
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) June 12, 2020
I later had the pleasure of working with Denny from the very beginnings of my career when he was my editor on my run with Daredevil and then The Dark Knight. Learned so much from him and will miss him greatly.
— Frank Miller (@FrankMillerInk) June 12, 2020
RELATED: Iconic Batman Scribe, Denny O’Neil, Passes Away
Crushed to hear about Denny O’Neil. I met him for the 1st time in 2012 filming this extras reel for Batman Year One & I couldn’t stop geeking out. He was so kind and encouraging tho, &I feel lucky to have gotten to know him over the years. True giant. Lights dim in Gotham tonight https://t.co/OUFleKcNbL
— Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) June 12, 2020
We owe him for more than you think.
Batman.
Green Arrow.
And “During his time editing at Marvel, he was the one who hired then-newcomer Frank Miller to take over the Daredevil title.”
RIP Denny O’Neil#DennyOneil #ripdennyoneil pic.twitter.com/yeeWuo4K2i— Brad Meltzer (@bradmeltzer) June 12, 2020
When I started in the business, there were certain editors who had my respect the instant I walked in the room, simply because of who they were, what they’d accomplished. Denny O’Neil was one of those editors. How fortunate I was to learn from one of the very best. pic.twitter.com/N1PV1at0Wz
— J.M. DeMatteis (@JMDeMatteis) June 12, 2020
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The Bat Bard passes, making it a hard traveling world without DENNY O’NEIL. He gave us back a Dark Knight Detective, asked an amazing Question, and nocked a classic Green Arrow. Talking to this legend on Fat Man on Batman & @ComicBookMenAMC were fanboy highlights of my life. RIP pic.twitter.com/fNGWGkCv2d
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) June 12, 2020
These comics are indelible parts of my childhood, teen years, and adulthood. There’s a short list of comic creators who have fueled my love of comics to the point where I knew– this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Denny O’Neil is one of those rare giants. pic.twitter.com/bnWcHgwVyr
— Please Wear Your Mask (@DanSlott) June 12, 2020
RIP Denny O’Neil.
He gave me my first regular inking gig (Master of Kung Fu) way before I had any idea what I was doing. Sorry to see him go.— Mike Mignola (@artofmmignola) June 12, 2020
Words cannot express what Denny meant to me and so many others. I learned more in the short span of time that I was fortunate enough to work with both He, and Archie Goodwin, than perhaps the entirety of my years in the biz. https://t.co/ESbFVOBMBk
— JoeQuesada (@JoeQuesada) June 12, 2020
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R.I.P. Master Denny O’Neil. Thank you for everything that you gave us. https://t.co/m9nZAntGiZ
— Greg Capullo (@GregCapullo) June 12, 2020
RIP Denny O’Neil. I was such an enormous fan of this guy that I still have his faxed, hand-written notes for my Superman: Red Son proposal as a souvenir in my office. A true gent who pretty much reinvented what a comic-book writer was capable of. https://t.co/3G0xCapaVI
— Mark Millar (@mrmarkmillar) June 12, 2020
Comics would not be the same without Denny O’Neil. As a writer, editor and mentor, he set the highest of standards. Denny left an indelible mark on our artform and his legacy will live forever. He may have put down his pen, but the ink will never go dry.
— C.B. Cebulski (@CBCebulski) June 12, 2020
You can continue sharing your favorite memories of Denny O’Neil in the comment section below.
Recommended Reading: Batman by Neal Adams Book One
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