RIP Comics Legendary Inker Tom Palmer

Farewell To Another Huge Comics Talent

This year continues to be a very tough one for losing big comic talent. Yesterday the very sad news reached us that legendary inker Tom Palmer (Tomb Of Dracula, The Avengers) has just died at the age of 81. Here’s a few tributes from online and a little bit of a potted biography…

Tom Palmer, who has just died, was an inker who was best known for his collaborations with legend Gene Colan on Marvel’s acclaimed Tomb of Dracula (seventy issues) and The Avengers where he worked with the likes of Neal Adams, John Buscema and many other great artists, returning to the series on several occasions. He also worked on Marvel’s Howard The Duck, Daredevil and Doctor Strange, reuniting with his regular penciller Colan.

His ability as an inker was unsurpassed as he was able to really compliment the work of the artists he worked with. He was part of Marvel’s artistic firmament for many years.

Here’s a tribute to him from comics writer and editor Pete Tomasi from Twitter

#RIPTomPalmer. Embellisher Extraordinnaire! A fraction of his beautiful inking to check out. A true legend. My condolences to Tom Jr. and his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/xVlCkIPsfl

— Peter J. Tomasi (@PeterJTomasi) August 19, 2022

Here’s another one from modern comics writer Frank Tieri also on Twitter

The definition of a true gentleman & as nice a guy in comics as there ever was. I had the pleasure & honor to work with him during my WOLVERINE run & of course he hit it out of the ballpark every damned time. You’ll be missed, my friend. #RIP to a legend #RIPTomPalmer pic.twitter.com/W21OwAuRYU

— Frank Tieri (@FrankTieri) August 19, 2022

Former comics writer and now TV writer and producer Benjamin Raab paid his tribute to the artist

#TomPalmer‘s inks graced a significant number of my all-time favorite comics growing up. To have had the chance to work with him as a @Marvel Ass’t Editor was a real privilege made all the more special because of the class act he was as a person and a professional. #RIPTomPalmer https://t.co/FrkmlflmMk

— Benjamin Raab (@Wondermasons) August 19, 2022

Mad Cave’s Mark Irwin and a talented inker in his own right also offered his own succinct tribute to Palmer

Noooo… dammit. In addition to Tom’s inking and painting, he was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Just a complete gent. #RIPTomPalmer

— Mark Irwin (@1JackSecret) August 19, 2022

Comics designer and AWA staffer Chris Ferguson had this to say

FROM THE LONG BOX: “The Tomb of Dracula” #64 (1978), by @marvwolfman, Gene Colan, Tom Palmer, Denise Wohl, and Francoise Mouly. Published by Marvel Comics. #tombofdracula #horror #supernatural #comics #marvelcomics #RIPTomPalmer pic.twitter.com/dbBXoRiVx4

— Chris Ferguson (@cfergie1972) August 19, 2022

From indie comics veteran Dean Haspiel:

Sad to learn of the passing of one of the greatest comic book inkers of all time. RIP Tom Palmer.

— Dean Haspiel (@deanhaspiel) August 19, 2022

Comics artist and illustrator Bill Sienkiewicz had this to say on Facebook

Legendary comic artist and writer Walter Simonson offered his own tribute on Facebook

DC’s former publisher and veteran writer Paul Levitz gave his tribute on his Facebook page

Writer and artist Jimmy Palmiotti had this to say on his Twitter feed

Tom Palmer.
I told him more than a dozen times how I admired his work & he was one of my favorite artists. I also told him he made everyone he worked over look so much better. Man, he had major skills.
He was sweet, generous, and kind to everyone.

I will miss him.

R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/rSl7md27qm

— Jimmy Palmiotti (@jpalmiotti) August 19, 2022

Here’s a small selection of the covers he worked on and a few interiors as a tribute to him. Everyone at Tripwire offers his family and friends our sincere condolences.