Happy Birthday George Pérez! He is a Titan of the comic book industry. Pérez’s first work was for Marvel Comics’ Astonishing Tales #25 (1974). This was a story written by Doug Moench about the character of Deathlok who made his first appearance in the issue. Pérez worked on The Sons of the Tiger beginning with Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #6 (1974) that covered martial arts heroes and also features on the martial arts. Pérez started his run with Avengers #141 (1975). The character of the Taskmaster was co-created by Pérez in Avengers #196 (1980). He worked on other titles like Fantastic Four. One of the finest creations of Pérez started with DC Comics Presents #26 (1980) introducing the New Teen Titans! There were characters like Robin, Wonder Girl, and Kid Flash from the previous Teen Titans, but the Marv Wolfman and George Pérez team added Cyborg, Raven, and Starfire.
George Perez sketching Starfire at Wizard World New Orleans, 2012, photo by the author.
The character of Beast Boy, renamed Changeling, had appeared in Doom Patrol #99 (1965). The fan favorite, Deathstroke first appeared in New Teen Titans #2 (1980). Pérez finally had his chance to provide artwork with Justice League of America #200 (1982). He worked with writer Ralph Macchio for a Black Widow storyline in Marvel Fanfare #10-13 (1983) that introduced Iron Maiden. In 1985 for the 50th anniversary of DC Comics, Pérez and Wolfman crafted one of the greatest comic book events beginning with Crisis on Infinite Earths #1. They followed it up the following year with the History of the DC Universe limited series. Wonder Woman had ended with the Crisis, but she was rebooted with Wonder Woman #1 (1987). It was a defining run for the character with Pérez writing and providing art for a good part and finished his run with Wonder Woman #62 (1992).
This is after his 1991 crossover series, War of the Gods. Pérez had another run on a classic character with Action Comics #643 (1989). He worked on the art for the first four issues of Infinity Gauntlet (1991). Pérez along with writer Kurt Busiek relaunched The Avengers in 1998. The team also created the ultimate company crossover with JLA/Avengers (2003-2004). Pérez had his own creation, Crimson Plague for Image Comics in 2000. Also, in 2000, Pérez was part of the Fund Disbursement Board for the charity, Hero Initiative. In 2006, the artbook, George Perez: Storyteller was published. In 2011, the Wolfman and Pérez created the long awaited New Teen Titans: Games graphic novel. Another Pérez creation arrived with Sirens #1 (2014) by Boom Studios. The Teen Titans Go! Episode, “Marv Wolfman and George Pérez” (2021) where both creators voiced themselves. George Pérez passed away on May 6, 2022. His comic book work, kindness at conventions, and smile will always be with us. Happy Birthday George Pérez!
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