The best comic book covers of the week – 14 January 2019

Posted on January 14, 2019

2 min read

Here’s a bit of sad news to start the week off with: Legendary Judge Dredd artist Ron Smith passed away last week. The artist had a heck of a good innings, lasting until the age of 95 before he put his pen down for good. Alongside the recently departed Carlos Ezquerra, Smith was one of a handful of artists who truly defined the style and visual design of 2000 AD’s premiere law enforcer of the future.

Beyond just ol’ Stoney Face himself, Smith was also an instrumental figure in creating other characters who helped define Dredd’s world. As 2000 AD tweeted:

We're very sorry to hear that Judge Dredd artist Ron Smith has passed away. From co-creating Chopper to the weird Otto Sump and the wonderful Mayor Dave, he was an incredible artist with a career spanning decades. Our deepest sympathies to his family.

Droid tribute by @PyeParr pic.twitter.com/sbLqGJHooa
— 2000 AD (@2000AD) January 10, 2019

You know what’s fascinating though? Smith’s entire life, which reads like the plot of an awesome action movie. Born in 1924, Smith originally intended to be an engineer but soon found himself enlisting in the army and eventually earning his wings as a Royal Airforce pilot who flew a Supermarine Spitfire. With the war over, Smith would kick off a career in illustration, working for the likes of Gaumont and DC Thompson Comics.

Going freelance in 1972, Smith’s fine art would eventually be featured in 2000 AD, where he drew some of the more memorable arcs of Judge Dredd: The Judge Child, The Day the Law Died and Hot Dog Run. Sad news then, of a legend passing. But at least his influence can be felt in the entire comic book industry, especially when you see what this week has to offer in comic book art!