The Four Color Media Monitor

Deadline Hollywood reports that Bellman, a veteran artist of the Golden Age and one of the last associated with Captain America, has died at 95 years old, about the same age as Stan Lee was when he passed away a year and a half ago:

Allen Bellman, one of the last links to the early days of Captain America in comic books, died March 9 after a short illness. He was 95 and lived in Florida, according to an announcement posted to Facebook by San Diego Comic Fest.

“Last year we hosted Allen as our Golden Age Guest of Honor. He was a kind man and forthcoming to all of the fans who came by his table. He told stories of his days at Timely Comics in the 1940s, working on Captain America, Young Allies, Human Torch and The Destroyer. He left his mark on the world of comics and he will be missed. He was a brilliant creator and a good friend. Rest in Peace, Allen Bellman.”

I wonder what Bellman ever thought of Marvel's destruction of the Star-Spangled Avenger when he was alive? Assuming of course, he paid any attention at his age. What Joe Quesada, Axel Alonso and now even C.B. Cebulski are doing was a slap in the face to all the hard work Bellman, Kirby, Simon and Lee put into Steve Rogers as a creation. It's a real shame all that Golden Age effort later came to such waste under the modern Marvel staff.

For now, Bellman will definitely be missed, and future generations who really care have to do something to help salvage Marvel and one of comicdom's most famous superhero figures.

Labels: Captain America, good artists, marvel comics