With interest in the late, great comic artist Dave Stevens still high, it’s great to learn (if a little belatedly) that an upcoming issue of Twomorrows Publishing’s Comic Book Creator will feature a full issue covering his life and work.
American comic creator Dave Stevens (29th July, 1955 – 11th March 2008) is perhaps best known as the creator of The Rocketeer, which debuted as a backup feature from Pacific Comics in April 1982,the art stunning comic fans. The character went on to star in his own comic book series, and hit the big screen in 1991 as a film, produced by Walt Disney Studios.
Dave’s career in comics began in 1975, assisting veteran artist Russ Manning on the syndicated Tarzan newspaper strip. He went on to work as a storyboard artist for Hanna-Barbara, DePatie-Freleng and Filmation animation studios, working on such programs as Super Friends and The Godzilla Power Hour.
Later, Stevens was asked by Steven Spielberg to create presentation boards for Raiders of the Lost Ark, and, during the same period, storyboarded the groundbreaking music video Thriller for Michael Jackson, and did production design for Jackson’s Victory Tour.
In 1982, Stevens debuted the feature for which he is best known, The Rocketeer, the pulp-inspired story of Cliff Secord, a daring stunt pilot who finds an experimental rocket pack, became an instant sensation.
Stevens’ lush figure work, particularly when rendering the female form, coupled with his elegant brush line, brought him much acclaim far beyond the confines of comic books. In particular, his breathy portrayals of Cliff’s girlfriend Betty, inspired by famed pin-up queen Bettie Page, helped revitalize interest in the 1950s icon, a fact openly acknowledged by Page, who became close friends with Stevens in her final years.
Sadly, on 11th March 2008, Dave lost a long battle against leukaemia. He is still missed to this day by friends, his distinctive art much admired by fellow comic creators, and fans.
Behind a previously unpublished cover, still available to preorder direct from Twomorrows Publishing, Comic Book Creator #40, on sale from Wednesday 22nd October, 2025, celebrates Dave’s life and art in a special double-sized 160 page issue completely devoted to the late artist. For this deluxe issue, friends, fans, and family share testimonials, photos, and fascinating artifacts, plus a gallery of amazing artwork by the Rocketeer creator, some never before seen.
There’s also three interviews with Dave conducted by CBC editor Jon B. Cooke, two Q+A’s with Dave by guest associate editor Steven C. Ringgenberg, and Jeff Gelb’s conversation with the artist recorded during the making of The Rocketeer motion picture. Dave’s sister Jennifer Bawcum shares about her brother in an exclusive chat, and the Twomorrows team also interview some of Dave’s closest friends, including Michael W. Kaluta, about their memories of the man.
Plus: a conversation with Kelvin Mao, the director of the 2022 film documentary, Dave Stevens: Drawn To Perfection, about making the movie and its recent success on streaming services, which has resulted in an entirely new generation of Dave Stevens fans.
• You can preorder Comic Book Creator #40 here direct from the Twomorrows Publishing Official Site | Wednesday 22nd October, 2025
• Don’t miss an issue! Subscribe to Comic Book Creator here
• Comic Book Creator is also available from your Local Comic Shop
This item was listed in the June 2025 issue of Lunar’s Next Phase catalogue (#42)| LUNAR Distributors Order Code: 0625TM694 | Download the Twomorrows Publishing Section Here (PDF Link)
• The Rocketeer Trust – the official Dave Stens website – is offering a limited-edition fine art print of “Angry Planet” by Dave Stevens, the cover for Comic Book Creator #40, with only 100 copies available from their Etsy shop. This piece features vibrant colouring by award-winning colorist Laura Martin.
• Dave Stevens’ The Rocketeer Artist’s Edition (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
In April of 1982, The Rocketeer debuted as a backup feature from Pacific Comics. From those humble beginnings the artistry of Dave Stevens caught the imaginations of countless readers and became a worldwide sensation. And in 2009 when IDW launched its award-winning Artist’s Edition series, The Rocketeer was the inaugural release, even winning a coveted Eisner Award that year. The book quickly sold out and went into a second printing. Now, more than 10 years later, The Rocketeer is soaring back with a new 40th anniversary printing.
As with all Artist’s Editions, the art reproduced in this book has been meticulously scanned from the original art. Readers will be able to peruse these pages and see all the quirks and nuances that make original art so unique – blue pencil notations, white out, gradients in the ink, and so much more. Unless you were looking over Dave’s shoulder as he painstakingly drew these pages, this is your best chance to see the art of The Rocketeer as close to the originals as possible.
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Art and Illustration, Comic Art, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Film, Other Worlds, US Comics
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