Earlier this week, Jim Lee announced that Tim Sale had been hospitalised with severe health issues, and on 16th June 2022, the iconic artist unfortunately passed away. News of his death was first shared on his twitter account. Sale's partner Susan Bailey had initially retweeted Jim Lee's tweet beforehand saying “I'll be reading your replies to him to brighten his day. He’s in good spirits, despite everything.”
Sale was an Eisner Award winning artist known for his collaborations with Jeph Loeb, creating tales such as Batman: The Long Halloween and its sequel Dark Victory, Catwoman: When in Rome, and Superman For All Seasons, the latter of which won Sale his Eisner award for Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team along with Grendel, Black, White and Red #1. Together, they would also create the "Color" series at Mavel with Daredevil: Yellow, Hulk: Gray, Spider-Man: Blue, and Captain America: White. Sale also collaborated with Darwyn Cooke on Superman Confidential in 2007-2008.
Sale's work would be highly influential, not just on other comic artists, but in film. Christopher Nolan has cited the artist as one of his inspirations for The Dark Knight. The Long Halloween itself would also later be adapted as a two part animated feature released in 2021.
Sale was born in Ithaca, New York and grew up in Seattle, Washington before moving back to New York to study at the School of the Visual Arts. He would also attend the comics workshop run by other legendary comic artist John Buscema.
Tim Sale will be greatly missed and fondly remembered as a legendary artist and talented storyteller. His work tested the boundaries of the comic book medium with stark page spreads, dynamic character portrayals, and beautiful colours.
News of Sale's passing has seen an outpouring of condolences from DC, Marvel, writers, artists and filmmakers.
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