Founder Of Aircel Comics, Barry Blair, Dies

[AlexH]

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/01/03/founder-of-aircel-comics-barry-blair-dies/

 

"I’m told by close friends that Barry Blair, founder of Aircel Comics, died today from a brain aneurism.

 

He complained to friends of an ear ache previously and was on medication as a result. However he felt so ill, he was eventually taken to hospital, but it was too late. His website currently hosts an brief eulogy.

 

Aircel was famously an insulation company that lost its contract with the government and, under the guidance of comic fan and employee Barry Blair, decided to publish comic books instead. Popularising manga style artwork with titles such as Elflord and Samurai, Blair would write Warlock 5 to much acclaim, before moving into erotic comics.

 

Aircel would become part of Malibu and created the hit Men In Black for the company, before Blair left the company when Marvel bought Malibu.

 

Blair worked on a number of Elfquest titles and of late specialised in selling original artwork, especially erotic elf illustrations."

 

 

[supapimp]

R.I.P.

[Bosco685]

I thought Elflord and Samurai were fantastic.

 

[dupont2005]

That sucks. I Have been a Barry Blair fan for a long time.

[NewWorldOrder]

How old was he?

[Evil Uncle]

[bronzilla]

Great artist and storyteller! He will be missed!

[seanfingh]

How old was he?

 

Comicvine says circa 1959, so he was right around 50. He was one of the peripheral Copper guys whose stuff i really enjoyed. RIP, Barry.

[juggernaut]

Sad news. He was truly one of the best Canadian artists. He will be missed.

[dupont2005]

Sad news. He was truly one of the best Canadian artists. He will be missed.

I have never seen those comics in your sig. Do those pre-date Aircel?

[seanfingh]

Sad news. He was truly one of the best Canadian artists. He will be missed.

I have never seen those comics in your sig. Do those pre-date Aircel?

 

They were published in 1980.

[dupont2005]

Cool. I have a thing for black & white covers

[ivegotneatstuff]

That is sad indeed

[Smokinghawk]

I appreciate Samurai for the many hidden references to first-wave punk/goth bands, which actually helped guide me to music I hadn't discovered. After all, the artist actually traced photos of Bauhaus for the comic!

[juggernaut]

Sad news. He was truly one of the best Canadian artists. He will be missed.

I have never seen those comics in your sig. Do those pre-date Aircel?

 

Yes, it pre-dates Aircel by a few years. Barry Blair first produced Elflord in a B&W self-published series (Nightwynd Productions) in the early 80s.

[supapimp]

I appreciate Samurai for the many hidden references to first-wave punk/goth bands, which actually helped guide me to music I hadn't discovered. After all, the artist actually traced photos of Bauhaus for the comic!

 

+1 same thing with shatter from first comics.

[Smokinghawk]

I bought 5 copies of Shatter, hoping it would be "hot."

 

I also got sucked into the Aircel-fueled "glut" of b/w comics...I was only 13.

[toro]

That is very sad I did enjoy those Aircel tirles. R.I.P.

[supapimp]

I bought 5 copies of Shatter, hoping it would be "hot."

 

I also got sucked into the Aircel-fueled "glut" of b/w comics...I was only 13.

 

i just have the TPB. worst speculation ever though was 100 copies of x-force #1.