Norm Breyfogle, one of the definitive Batman artists of the late 80s and early 90s, is in hospital as a result of a stroke, according to a Facebook post by his former partner Barbara De La Rue. De La Rue says that he is expected to make a full recovery, and has asked that people keep him in their thoughts and prayers. We at ComicsAlliance extend our best wishes for a full and speedy return to health.

Breyfogle, 54, is best known for his work on various Batman comics from 1987 to 1993, often alongside writer Alan Grant -- his work established and defined the Batman aesthetic of that era and revived interest in the Batman comics, and for many readers his arch and pulpy Batman remains the standard that other versions of the character are compared to. His other works include Prime, The Spectre, and Life With Archie for Archie Comics; he also works as a commercial illustrator and a children's book illustrator.

Breyfogle's creations for DC include Victor Zsasz and Anarky, both with Alan Grant, and the Ventriloquist, with Grant and John Wagner. He also illustrated many of Tim Drake's early solo adventures as Robin. In 2011 he and Grant were selected to drawn illustrate DC's DC Retroactive: Batman book for the 1990s -- a tacit acknowledgement of their enormous influence on the era. Breyfogle's recent work includes the Batman Beyond comic and Trinity Of Sin: The Phantom Stranger, and only this week he was announced as the artist on a 2000 AD Free Comic Book Day comic.

It's unknown at this point whether Breyfogle's health issues will place him in any financial distress. We'll keep our readers updated if that's the case. It's one of the great indignities of the superhero comic industry that this is inevitably one of the questions we have to ask when we hear news that someone from the industry has fallen ill.

Here's a small selection of Breyfogle's memorable Batman illustrations:

 

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