Jonah Hex co-creator, Tony DeZuniga passes away on May 11, 2012

On May 11, 2012 Tony DeZuniga a Filipino comics artist and illustrator best known for his works for DC Comics, who co-created the fictional character, Jonah Hex and Black Orchid with John Albano died from complications from a stroke he suffered last April 2012.

By Kalabog - May 13, 2012 05:05 PM EST
Filed Under: DC Comics

Tony DeZuniga was the first Filipino comic book artist whose work was accepted by American publishers, paving the way for many other Filipino artists to do break into the international comic book industry (Wikipedia).

I really was intending to write an article about Tony the moment I learned about his stroke. I really admired his work on Conan and Arak comics not knowing that De Zuniga is a Filipino. For me his style reflects the old-school Filipino Komiks and cartoon which I really missed in today's generation. Sincere and dramatic his photo realistic style is very rare nowadays among Filipino artist since Filipino Komics nowadays are heavily influenced by anime.

According to wikipedia, DeZuniga went on to become a regular contributor at DC. With writer John Albano, he co-created the long-running western character Jonah Hex, and with Sheldon Mayer the first Black Orchid. DeZuniga also served as an introduction to what would be a 1970s influx of Filipino artists to American comics, prompting Orlando and DC publisher Carmine Infantino to visit the Philippines in 1971 to scout talent. Among the artists found there who would soon become mainstays of both DC and Marvel Comics were Alfredo Alcala, Alex Niño, Nestor Redondo, and Gerry Talaoc.

DeZuniga relocated back to New York from the Philippines in 1977. He worked for industry leaders Marvel and DC for 18 years, drawing such prominent Marvel characters as the X-Men and Spider-Man.

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marvel72
marvel72 - 5/13/2012, 7:12 PM
r.i.p tony dezuniga sorry you had to see that awful jonah hex movie before you died.
sadmamba
sadmamba - 5/13/2012, 7:46 PM
RIP sir.
wedontdie
wedontdie - 5/13/2012, 8:16 PM
I will honor him once I make a way better Jonah Hex movie!!!
thalidomide
thalidomide - 5/13/2012, 8:56 PM
Filipino Pride! RIP :(
Kalabog
Kalabog - 5/13/2012, 9:33 PM
@JackyTimish
This is actually just my second article. I'm really more of a reader than a contributor here in CBM because the demands of my day job doesn't allow me enough time to make extensive research. And as a fellow Filipino this news comes close to our hearts and I couldn't just let this news slip away especially since 2 days have passed and not a single article about Tony DeZuniga's demise has yet come up here in CBM.
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 5/14/2012, 5:50 AM
Marvel72@ Took the words right out of my mouth.

Jonah Hex needs another chance and this time in real western style.

Get someone like Nick Cave (The Proposition) or the Coen Brothers (True Grit) behind the script and the Coen Brothers, Quentin Tarantino, John Hillcoat, Walter Hill or maybe James Mangold in the director´s chair.
And i bet we get a great western movie.

Josh Holloway would be great Hex.
jazzman
jazzman - 5/14/2012, 11:54 AM
r.i.p Tony DeZuniga

@marvel72

u are right Jonah Hex was awful

@AlexDeLarge87

u are so right if they had them directors Jonah Hex would be a great movie.
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 5/14/2012, 12:57 PM
Too bad the screw it up first time. I dont think we are gonna see another Hex movie in a long long time.
wedontdie
wedontdie - 5/14/2012, 2:22 PM
@AlexDelarge Don't worry... I'll do my best to work hard and make a better Jonah Hex movie soon. Wish me Luck! HAHHAHAH I gotta dream big!
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