R.I.P. Hulk Artist Herb Trimpe

I was devastated when I heard that Herb Trimpe had passed away. He was one of my favorite Hulk artists. The first issue of The Incredible Hulk I remember having was #191 (Sept. 1975).

I really wish I could have met him at one of his convention appearances. Rest in peace Mr. Trimpe.

See a complete list of his work on ComicBookDB.

From New York Post --

Prominent comic-book artist and Wolverine co-creator Herb Trimpe died at his home in upstate Hurley, N.Y., on Monday. He was 75.

Trimpe is credited as being the first comic-book artist to sketch the Wolverine character for publication back in 1974, when the clawed crusader made his debut in an issue of The Incredible Hulk.

During his time as an artist for Marvel Comics, Trimpe drew for other titles like Spider-Man, G.I. Joe, Godzilla, Captain America and Iron Man.

Before he started earning a living at his trade, Trimpe served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He enrolled at Manhattan’s School of Visual Arts upon returning home.

“He loved drawing but his real passion was airplanes,” said his wife of seven years, Patricia Velasquez-Trimpe. “He loved writing fiction, and had actually been writing just before he died.”

In the weeks and months after the 9/11 terror attacks, Trimpe, an Episcopalian deacon, worked at the World Trade Center site, serving as a chaplain. He also worked to clear away rubble.

“That was just his nature,” said Trimpe’s step-daughter, Natalia, 25. “He just wanted to help out, so when 9/11 happened, he just felt like he had to do whatever he could.”

His work after 9/11 earned him the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, an award given to artists in comics and animators who work tirelessly in their private lives to serve society.

After leaving monthly comics, Trimpe continued producing art and making public appearances at comic book conventions around the world.

He had just been meeting and greeting fans in New Jersey over the weekend at the East Coast Comicon at the Meadowlands Expo Center.

“He enjoyed people recognizing his work and seeing his fans,” his wife said. “We had a wonderful life together.”