We’re sorry to report the passing of acclaimed American illustrator and graphic novelist Michael Hague, best known for his work for children’s fantasy books. He was extremely popular for illustrating classics such as The Hobbit, The Reluctant Dragon and The Wind in the Willows, bringing intricate and realistic detail to his work, complemented by rich colours.
His death was announced by his wife and frequent collaborator, author Kathleen Hague, earlier this week.
Paying tribute, columnist and editor David Scroggy, formerly head of new product development at Dark Horse, told downthetubes “Michael Hague never lost his sense of wonder, and better yet he had the ability to rekindle ours. He was able to capture the emotional essence of his subject matter, along with its details and characters.
“Michael’s rendition of Wind in the Willows is an all-time classic, and his best-known work,” he continued, “but he also rendered his own unique interpretation of many others, notably The Hobbit, The Wizard of Oz, and The Reluctant Dragon. In all, he illustrated nearly one hundred books.
“Michael cited comics and newspaper strips, particularly ‘Prince Valiant’, as early influences. He was not only a fan, but interested in giving the graphic story genre a go. He said his agents had discouraged him from this type of work, poo-poohing comics, but Michael understood that the field had widened a lot, and that graphic story could convey any kind of story or art. He came up with an original graphic story, Eye of Newt, for Dark Horse. Publisher Mike Richardson explained that since he started business with a book shop in Bend, Oregon that was half comics and half children’s books, he knew and loved Hague’s work.
“I guess Michael has now met the piper at the gates of dawn, and we say farewell. RIP.”
Michael Hague was born in Southern California, after his mother, Marie, emigrated from England just after World War Two and met and married Riley Hague. The eldest of three children, his mother introduced him to the stories and art in the fairytale books she enjoyed herself as a child.
His profile on Comic Art Fans notes he attributed this and his mother’s encouragement to pursue drawing while growing up, to his interest in becoming an illustrator. His study of classical fine art contributed to his skills in drawing, painting and composition.
Michael, who lived with Karen in Colorado Springs, trained at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, and, as David Scroggy mentions, included “Prince Valiant” artist Hal Foster and “Little Nemo” creator Windsor McKay as early influences; even though his mother banned comics from the house as a child, which, of course, made them all the more attractive to the young artist.
The art of the animated Disney films too, proved influential, along with that of Japanese printmakers Hiroshige and Hokusai, and turn of several 20th century illustrators, including Arthur Rackham, W. Heath Robinson, N. C. Wyeth and Howard Pyle, and Dulac. He was an avid collector of their books and art.
His first published book work a pop-up book, was released in 1975 by Hallmark, who he was working for creating greeting cards. It was not the best of experiences, as he related to Betsy Bird in an interview for the School Library Journal in 2009. Michael noted it took five years of knock backs and dismissive editors before his first big break came through Trina Schart Hyman.
As one of two art directors for New York-based Cricket Magazine, charmed by his exquisite watercolours, she initially commissioned him to illustrate his first work for children, the fairy tale “The Porcelain Cat” by Michael Patrick Hearn. His new career was launched when he story appeared in the February 1977 issue of Cricket, followed by cover work, his first featured on the April issue of the same year.
His beautifully crafted work caught the eye of a children’s book editor in New York, and Hague received his first full-colour book to illustrate, Jane Yolen’s collection of original fairy tales, Dream Weaver, published in 1978.
Everyone falls the first time they stand up. That is how an artist or anyone for that matter, learns and grows.
“In 1980, the classic novel, Wind in the Willows with illustrations by Michael Hague, ushered in a new era in children’s books,” notes Comic Art Fans. “During the following decades his artistic talents brought attention to this magnificent tale and other classics in children’s literature. Millions of children and adults re-discovered these wonderful stories and delighted in the visions Michael created.”
Across several decades, he illustrated several classics, among them The The Reluctant Dragon, The Wizard of Oz, The Hobbit, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Secret Garden, and Peter Pan.
Interviewed by Chris Powling for Books for Keeps back in 1988, asked to explain why he had worked on so many classic adaptations, Michael told him, amiably, but frankly: “Because the classics are there… and because once I’d done one, the publishers went on wanting more.”
Well, maybe, noted Chris. An alternative possibility comes from his own afterword to Peter Pan: “As an artist I have not only the pleasure but the duty to daydream. It is part of my work. I have been a contented daydreamer all my life, often to the exasperation of those around me. I strive to create something from an empty canvas that becomes a whole ‘other world’ that people can visit for a while and totally believe in.”
Michael and his wife, author Kathleen Hague, collaborated on several books together, and he and his son, graphic designer Devon Hague, produced the graphic novel In the Small, published by Little, Brown Books in 2008.
“There are two reasons for delving into graphic novels,” he said of his move into graphic novels in 2009. “One would be the indifference of today’s publishers to my work. And the other is my creative need to do something of my own and expand to new horizons.
“The graphic novel, In the Small, was a first in many ways for me,” he continued. “It was a true learning experience. It was the first time I explored a different format; it was the first time I had attempted to write a complex story, and it was the first time I painted my illustrations using the computer.
“To be honest, the book displays all the awkwardness of a novice writer and illustrator. I think the idea was grand but the execution leaves something to be improved upon. I do not have any regrets for any shortcomings in the book and I am proud of certain parts. Everyone falls the first time they stand up. That is how an artist or anyone for that matter, learns and grows.”
“I count myself as one of the most fortunate of beings,” he also once said, a quote unearthed by his son, Devon Hague. “As an artist I have not only the pleasure, but also the duty to daydream. It is a part of my work. I have been a contented daydreamer all of my life, often to the exasperation of those around me.”
“He was an incredible man that I was fortunate enough to call my father,” says Devon Hague. “My daughter and I plan to build out a website as a memorial to him tracking his entire career and his beautiful artwork (and share some of the thousands of drawings and paintings that have never been published).
“When he did book signings he would often stay hours late or bring books home so he could make a personalized drawing or sometimes even paintings in people’s books for them. Growing up our “tv/family room” was his art studio where he’d spend hours on end painting behind us as we watched movies as a family. Sometimes he’d let us paint sections. I vividly remember painting a star in a sky and finding my star months later in the published book.
“He was just a genuinely kind and gentle soul who will be deeply missed.”
He most certainly will. Our condolences to his family, friends, and fans at this time.
Michael Hague, 8th September 1948 – 10th March 2026
“A brilliant, kind, remarkable artist” – Tributes to Michael Hague
Paying tribute to Michael, the owners of Hooked on Books in Colorado Springs, where he lived, paid tribute to Michael on their Facebook page describing him as a “brilliant, kind, remarkable artist and illustrator of a stunning collection of books, including fairy tales, fantasy, science fiction, poetry and stories written by his beautiful wife, Kathleen.
“Michael supported schools, bookstores, libraries and organisations throughout our community by sharing his talent.”
His community work included creating an annual poster for the nonprofit arts organisation, Imagination Celebration.
“I once saw a friend/librarian ask for his autograph,” notes the Hooked on Books owner. “With no paper or his books available, he grabbed a cocktail napkin and drew one of his charming illustrations. My friend had the napkin framed and hanging on the wall for all to see.
“Over the years he signed many, many times at our various store locations, and I can still see the smiles of excited children as they watched him illustrate their own very special copy with bears, dragons, pirates, lions, unicorns, and so many more. He often wrote, ‘This book is just for you!’”
His imagination, artistry, generosity, and kindness shaped our world
“It is so hard to absorb that beloved Michael Hague has passed,” commented the team at Imagination Celebration. “Heartbreaking. Heartbreaking. Heartbreaking. For beautiful Kathleen. For their amazing family. For all of us. Michael was a gentle, powerful, deeply loved, and admired force. His imagination, artistry, generosity, and kindness shaped our world: expanded our own imaginations; enlivened our understanding of story; inhabited our fondest experiences of childhood and adulthood; inspired us to stand in long lines to savour the chance of gaining his illustrated autograph, lingering as long as possible, cherishing our small piece of his immense creativity…Sending love to Kathleen and the amazing Hague family.”
His art was indeed inspiring to many, across the globe, including to British American illustrator and writer of children’s books and comics, Sarah McIntyre. “When I was little, my parents had his version of The Wind in the Willows, and way before I ever wanted to read it, I spent hours poring over his lavish illustrations,” she says. “As a child, I couldn’t imagine anything more lovely, I wanted to be in that world, and perhaps it’s a little bit why I live in England now (which is ironic, as he was based in LA and Colorado Springs), and why I work as an illustrator.
“I recall scrutinising the carved initials on the tree, on the front cover, and wondering what ‘KH’ stood for. That was way before Wikipedia, but now I know they stood for Kathleen Hague. I brought the book over from America and still treasure it.”
“This is tough for me,” commented children’s author, illustrator and film producer Tony DiTerlizzi, perhaps best known for his work in the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering and as co-creator of The Spiderwick Chronicles. “I’ve looked up to Michael and his work since I first purchased his books in high school. I met him in the early 1990s at a signing in Florida, where I waited in line with a list of questions to ask him about the kid’s lit industry but forgot everything as I watched him draw in my cherished copies of his books, while he spoke in his casual, The Dude-like, voice…encouraging me to follow my dream.
“Many years later, I spent a weekend at The Faerieworlds Festival signing alongside Michael (and Gris Grimly) and was over-the-moon to be spending so much time with him and his amazing wife, Kathleen. From then on, we kept in touch but he totally blew my mind by sending Ang and I a portrait of Sophia when she was born. I pass that painting every day when I walk down to the studio and think of him.
“I know the old adage is, ‘never meet your heroes.’ But Michael was and is an inspiration to this kid. Godspeed you legend.”
Artist Rosemary Daugherty was similarly inspired by Michael, “ the artist who made me want to become an artist,” she wrote. I started collecting his illustrated books when i was around eight years old. I still remember standing in line at the old Yorktown Alley Books in Uitca Square, to have him sign me and my brothers books. He was dressed like an old time gentleman from the 1800s and signed books with a feathered pen. His watercolour style was completley unique and trasported me to another world as a kid.
“Rest under a large Willow tree somewhere, Michael Hague, your work here is finished and remains alive in books.”
Books illustrated by Michael Hague
This is NOT a full list of Michael’s works: just a guide to those curious to find out more. Do note that many of Michael’s older works may also be available from your local secondhand bookshops
Dream Weaver
By Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0529055170 (1979)
The Wind in the Willows
By Kenneth Graham, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0416206203 (1980) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
Michael Hague’s Favourite Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales
By Hans Christian Andersen, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0805006599 (1981) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
The Man Who Kept House
By Kathleen Hague, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0153329678 (1981)
The Hobbit
By JRR Tolkien and Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0048232731 (1984) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
Mother Goose: A Collection of Classic Nursery Rhymes
Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0416494303 (1984) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
Aesop’s Fables
By Aesop, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0416529500 (1985)
• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0416596304 (1985) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
An omnibus edition of two stories featuring Alice and her companions in new worlds where nothing is in the least bit ordinary
Numbears
By Kathleen Hague and Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0416956900 (1986)
Out of the Nursery, into the Night
By Kathleen Hague and Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0416008524 (1987) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
The Secret Garden
By Frances Hodgson Burnett, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0416027822 (1987) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
Peter Pan
By Sir J. M. Barrie, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0416093926 (1988) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
The Reluctant Dragon
By I.M. Richardson, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0805008029 (1988) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
The Book of Pirates
Selected and Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-0688140038 (2001, Eos) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
The Velveteen Rabbit
By Margery Williams, Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978 0312377502 (2008, Square Fish)
When a young boy gets a beautiful velveteen rabbit for a gift, he plays with his new toy for a while, but in all the excitement of opening presents, he forgets about it. But only temporarily. How the rabbit comes to be loved by the boy and finally comes to life is a classic story that has been read and cherished by many generations of children and their parents.
In The Small
By Michael Hague and Devon Hague | ISBN: 978-0316013239 (2008, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
When Mother Nature seeks her revenge after a disastrous event causes the population of earth to shrink to six inches in height, two determined siblings go on a dangerous quest to undo the wrong humans have done and restore peace in the world once more
Eye of Newt
By Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-1616555160 (2015, Dark Horse) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
Michael Hague takes readers on a strange and fantastic journey in Eye of Newt. As a young wizard’s apprentice, Newt, embarks on a wonderful and perilous quest through the mysterious Netherworld and beyond, he learns a dark secret that could shape his entire destiny…
Mammon
Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-1506707136 (2018, Dark Horse)
A horrifyingly beautiful vampire story, this lavishly illustrated adventure starts on the streets of 1920s London and ends at the gates of Hell. Writer Jonathan Meeks is captivated by the story of Dracula. On a quest for immortality, to discover if there is truth at the heart of the vampire myth, Meeks discovers there is far more truth in fiction.
Everyone Except Everett
By Marilyn Owen and Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-1945136283 (2021, Sheffield Publications)
Everett is a slightly inept, but ever-so-polite Elf in Santa’s workshop, who messes up everything. When Everett finds himself left behind on Christmas morning, he meets Sam. Sam helps Everett get back to the North Pole and Everett learns that being “different” is a wonderful way to be.
Michael Hague’s Treasury of Christmas Carols
Illustrated by Michael Hague | ISBN: 978-1454943952 (2021, Sterling Children’s Books) | AmazonUK Affiliate Link
Michael Hague captures the magic of Christmas in this beautifully illustrated treasury of classic Christmas carols. Relive the spirit, wonder and joy of holidays gone by in a winter wonderland filled with adorable animals and seasonal traditions.
Head downthetubes for…
• Comic Art Fans: The Art of Michael Hague
INTERVIEWS
• “Off to Illustrate the Wizard: An Interview with Michael Hague” by Dan Smith
Via The Oz Club, an interview originally published in The Baum Bugle, vol. 27, no. 1 (Spring 1983), pgs. 22–24
• Books for Keeps: Introducing Michael Hague (1988)
• School Library Journal: WBBT: Michael Hague Interview (2009)
COLORADO SPRINGS LINKS
The Colorado Springs community project Michael supported and provided “Dragon” posters for
Colorado Springs bookshop
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
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, Features, Obituaries, Other Worlds, US Comics
Leave a Reply