Don Perlin, Legendary Comic Book Artist and Moon Knight Co-Creator, Has Passed Away
Longtime Marvel comic artist Don Perlin has passed away. He was 94.
While he would eventually be best known as the co-creator of Moon Knight and the man behind many of the best Werewolf by Night comics, Perlin began his comic book career in the late 1940s, taking whatever jobs he could get.
Photo: Comic Art Fans
After being drafted into the military in 1953, Perlin returned to find a drastically changed comic book industry. After struggling to get work as an animator, Perlin took work doing technical drawing.
Joining Marvel
While continuing to work his day job, Perlin would sneak in comic book work in the evening. Eventually, he got a call from Marvel’s Roy Thomas, who had seen some of the work that Perlin did for DC comics on a horror series.
Marvel, at the time, was looking for artists to work on Werewolf by Night and Morbius, the Living Vampire. Eventually, Perlin would also work on Ghost Rider, Defenders, and Transformers, among others.
Photo: Marvel
In an interview with Jon B. Cooke for TwoMorros’ Comic Book Artist #13, Perlin reflected on the creation of Moon Knight.
“Moon Knight was developed by Doug and I for Werewolf. I designed the first costume. Marvel wanted us to come up with a new costumed hero, to help sales of the title. Moon Knight was eventually featured in two issues of Marvel Spotlight,” he said.
Photo: CBR
“Then we never heard about the character again. Down the line, they revived him, but I never had a hand on it again. Never got anything out of it. Unfortunately, Moon Knight was created before the royalty system was established.”
Move to Valiant
Perlin would continue to work for Marvel throughout much of the 1980s, including a 6-year run on The Defenders. In the late 1980s, the animator made the jump to Valiant. There, he would create the character Bloodshot. In 1997, Perlin won the National Cartoonists Society Comic Books Award.
The news of Perlin’s death was broken on Facebook by the animator’s daughter, Elaine.
Photo: Nerd Team 30
“I am devastated to report the death of an amazing man,” Elaine’s post reads. “My father Don Perlin passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 94. He ws an amazing father husband grandfather and great grandfather. We will all miss him terribly. He was an amazing artist and considered a legend in the comic world. To me he was my best friend. I will miss him so much.”
Tributes Pour In
Following the news of Perlin’s passing, tributes poured in for the longtime animator on social media. Both Marvel and Valiant paid homage to Perlin’s legacy.
Marvel is saddened by the loss of Don Perlin, the co-creator of Moon Knight and iconic artist behind series like Werewolf by Night, Ghost Rider, Defenders, and more. Don’s legacy will be a creative aspiration for generations, and our hearts are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/RcyfNJCtWr
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) May 16, 2024
“Marvel is saddened by the loss of Don Perlin, the co-creator of Moon Knight and iconic artist behind series like Werewolf by Night, Ghost Rider, Defenders, and more. Don’s legacy will be a creative aspiration for generations, and our hearts are with his family and loved ones,” Marvel Entertainment wrote.
