Legendary Comic Artist Marshall Rogers Dies at 57

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgMarshall Rogers, who was instrumental in revitalizing BATMAN in the 1970s, died unexpectedly at his home in Fremont, California, on March 25, 2007, reports various news outlets. He was 57 years old. His family is still waiting for the official cause of death.

Rogers was a relatively inexperienced outsider when he took over the plum assignment of penciling Batman's adventures in "Detective Comics" in 1977. Paul Levitz, president of DC Comics now and a writer then, recalled that Rogers became "one of the radical young stylists bringing new looks to DC in the '70s."

Though Rogers only worked with writer Steve Englehart on six issues of DETECTIVE COMICS, their work influenced a new generation of comic artists.

Rogers other comic works included character such as Silver Surfer, Mister Miracle, Dr. Strange, Iron Fist and G.I. Joe. For independent publisher Eclipse Comics, Rogers drew the 1980 graphic novel, DETECTIVES INC.: A REMEMBRANCE OF THREATENING GREEN, and wrote and drew 1984's CAP'N QUICK AND A FOOZLE.

During the 1990s, Rogers worked in the videogame business. He returned to comics in 2005, teaming with Englehart and inker Terry Austin for the BATMAN series, DARK DETECTIVE. At the time of Rogers' death, the trio was working on a new BATMAN project.

Rogers was born Jan. 22, 1950, in Flushing, New York, but grew up in Ardsley, New York. He studied to be an architect at Kent State.

He is survived by his mother, Ann White Rogers, sister, Suzanne Schmachtenberger, and his stepson, Russell Young.

Memorial services have not been announced yet.