Al Williamson. March 21st 1931 - June 12th 2010.
^{Biographys and tributes to the highly respected Al Williamson are on many websites since his recent death. There are places to find details of the many titles he drew for, his industry awards and great images from his long career. This is just to give my personal appreciation.  
For me he was the single most influential comic book artist. This due not just to his creativity and draughtsmanship but that I found his work at a time when I was searching for my artistic identity and Al Williamson inspired the idea that one did not need a 'style' but to simply draw as came naturally as well as one could. His work for me was inspiring and
freeing.}