Darwyn Cooke was born on November 16, 1962, and died on May 14, 2016.

He was an Eisner award winning Canadian comic book writer, artist, cartoonist and animator.

He was known for his work on the comic books Catwoman, DC: The New Frontier, The Spirit and Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter.

During 1985, Darwyn Cooke published his first comic book work as a professional artist in a short story in New Talent Showcase #19, but economic pressure made him leave the comic book industry, and he worked in Canada as a magazine art director, graphic and product designer for the next 15 years.

During the early 1990s, Darwyn decided to return to comics, but found little interest for his work at the major publishers.

However, he was hired by Warner Bros. Animation after replying to an ad placed by animator Bruce Timm.

Darwyn Cooke toiled as a storyboard artist for Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series, and in 1999 he animated the main title design for Batman Beyond.

Then, Darwyn Cooke worked as a director for Sony Animation’s Men in Black: The Series for a year.

Himself and writer Ed Brubaker revamped the Catwoman character, in 2001.

During November 2006, Cooke and writer Jeph Loeb produced a Batman/The Spirit intercompany crossover.

Darwyn Cooke also wrote the first six-issue story arc of the Superman monthly series, Superman Confidential.

He was the writer/artist of Before Watchmen: Minutemen and the writer of Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre in 2012–2013.

During April 2014, he released a Batman Beyond animated short celebrating the 75th anniversary of Batman.

Cooke’s wife announced on his official blog that he was battling an “aggressive” form of cancer, stating, on May 13, 2016.

Darwyn Cooke passed away at 54 yrs old.