Longtime Marvel Comics artist Joe Sinnott, who inked for Jack Kirby and John Romita Sr., has passed away at the age of 93. Sinnott’s inking work helped establish and define many of Marvel’s biggest characters, including the Fantastic Four series, which he worked on from 1965 to 1981.
“It with great sorrow that we must announce the passing of Joltin’ Joe Sinnott on 25 June at 8:40am at the age of 93,” Sinnott’s family shared on his Facebook page. “He went peacefully with the knowledge that his family, friends, and fans adored him. He enjoyed life and was drawing up until the end. He always loved hearing from all of you and having your comments read to him. Each and every one of you were special to him.”
Sinott’s first art job led his boss to offer side work doing freelance comics work, which led Sinnott to meet Stan Lee at Atlas Comics in 1951. He was working with Atlas, Charlton Comics and various other companies, before settling in with Marvel, where he forged a long partnership with Kirby.
He influenced various Marvel characters (Thor, Silver Surfer, The Avengers) until the 1980s, working sporadically thereafter until 1992. He would continue to ink the Amazing Spider-Man comic strip until 2019, at age 92. Sinott was also the winner of the 1995 Inkpot Award, three 2008 Inkwell Awards (including the Hall of Fame Award) and the 2013 Will Eisner Hall of Fame Award.