Stargirl Co-Creator Lee Moder Passed Away At The Age Of 53: Lee Moder, the co-creator of the popular comic book series, Stargirl. Lee was a talented artist and writer, known for his dynamic style and ability to create vivid and captivating characters. He was just 53 years old at the time of his passing, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and innovation in the world of comics. Lee’s contributions to the Stargirl franchise, as well as to the wider comic book industry, will never be forgotten. In this blog, we will take a moment to honor Lee’s memory and celebrate his life and work.
Lee Moder, an iconic comic book artist who co-created the character of Courtney Whitmore (better known as Stargirl) has passed away at the age of 53. According to ComicBook.com, Moder passed away on or around January 15th, 2023, and the cause of his death is not yet known.
Moder’s Creative Contributions
Moder’s most prominent contribution to the world of comics was co-creating Courtney Whitmore, a character that has become a beloved and recognizable figure in the DC Comics universe. Whitmore first appeared in 1999’s Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #0, a comic book series that Moder co-created with writer Geoff Johns. The character of Courtney Whitmore was based on Johns’ sister, who died in a plane crash, and became a way for him to honor her memory through his work. Moder’s dynamic and expressive art style helped bring Courtney to life on the page and made her a character that readers could immediately connect with.
In addition to Stargirl, Moder worked on many other comic book titles, both for DC and other publishers. He was known for his work on Wonder Woman, Batman: The Last Angel, and Legion of Superheroes for DC, as well as X-Force for Marvel and Dragon Prince for Top Cow Productions. Moder’s work was praised for its lively energy, expressive character designs, and ability to capture the essence of each story he worked on.
Moder’s work extended beyond mainstream comic book titles as well. In 2011, he co-created Shinku, a Japanese vampire epic, with writer Ron Marz. The comic was published by Image Comics and received critical acclaim for its stunning artwork and engaging story. Moder’s work on Shinku demonstrated his versatility as an artist and his ability to adapt his style to fit different genres and storytelling formats.
Moder’s Legacy
Moder’s passing has been felt deeply by his colleagues and fans in the comic book industry. Johns, who worked closely with Moder on the creation of Stargirl, spoke about the loss, saying, “The industry lost a wonderful talent with the passing of Lee Moder. He was the first artist I ever collaborated with on my first comic book, Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E., which introduced Courtney Whitmore, AKA Stargirl. Lee co-created Courtney and her world with me, along with re-imagining the old 1940’s Pat Dugan Stripesy into S.T.R.I.P.E. He embodied the warmth, power, beauty, and comedy he put into all his art. We had so much fun. I’ll miss Lee very much.”
Ron Marz, who collaborated with Moder on Shinku and Dragon Prince, echoed Johns’ sentiments, saying, “Lee wasn’t just someone I collaborated with, he was a friend, he was almost a part of my family. His work had such life and joy to it. Every project we did together was a blessing, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg. Lee had stacks of sketchbooks filled with original characters and concepts and designs, full story arcs. There are entire issues that he drew and then set aside because he wasn’t quite satisfied, but I can absolutely tell you they’re amazing. I hope the world gets to see all that stuff as part of Lee’s legacy. It’s too beautiful to remain hidden. Lee was an inexhaustible source of creation. My imagination is not capable of understanding that he’s gone.”
Although Moder may be gone, his work and legacy will live on through the many characters he helped bring to life, including Stargirl, who remains a beloved member of the DC universe. In many ways, the characters Moder created and the stories he helped tell will be his greatest legacy. They will continue to inspire generations of comic book fans, artists, and creators for years to come.
As the comics world mourns the loss of Moder, it’s clear that his impact on the industry will be felt for years to come. His work has left an indelible mark on the medium, and his contributions will never be forgotten. While it’s difficult to say goodbye to such a talented artist, it’s clear that Moder’s work will continue to inspire, entertain, and move people for years to come.
Rest in peace, Lee Moder. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will live on.
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