Gene D’Angelo, KFS and DC Colorist, Has Passed

Word is spreading on social media that Gene D’Angelo has passed away.

Anthony Tollin gives a nice profile of Gene’s career:

I just received the sad news that ace colorist GENE D’ANGELO recently passed away at age 97. Gene began his long comics career at King Features Syndicate shortly after completing his WWII military service, originally pasting down Ben-Day dot patterns on daily strips like THE PHANTOM, BLONDIE, MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN and FLASH GORDON. He soon became a KFS staff colorist, generally focusing his attentions on the big-gun humor strips like BLONDIE and BEETLE BAILEY. In 1977, following the departure of Liz Safian Berube, Jack Adler and I recruited Gene to join our DC Comics freelance coloring team. D’Angelo soon became Julius Schwartz’s favorite colorist, brightening the pages of ACTION COMICS, SUPERMAN FAMILY, NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA and WORLD’S FINEST COMICS, along with numerous series for other DC editors…

From Jim Keefe:

Just heard from Lisa Chillino-Pawlick that her Uncle, Gene D’Angelo, recently passed away. He was 97. He was the former King Features colorist that I took over from back in 1989. I worked with him briefly and he showed me the ropes before he retired…

From Paul Levitz:

Noting with sadness the passing of Gene D’Angelo, who brought color into the lives of millions of readers over the years as a colorist for King Features back to the post-war years, and DC Comics in the Bronze Age and afterwards. Gene was a meticulous worker, with a bright view of the world that came through in his choices.

The Phantom © King Features Syndicate; The Flash and The Monsters © DC Comics

We hope to have a proper obit once the family memorial is published.