This is a sketch I did for my friend Mark last years. I felt like posting this as I'm reading BRUSH WITH PASSION, The Art and Life of Dave Stevens (Underwood Books).

The book is just wonderful. Although I think it will be a painful read to anyone who loved the artist for obvious reasons, it's also full of life and fun....and of course full of gorgeous art.

I've always loved his work for these reasons exactly : the fun, and the life he'd put into his comics and illustrations.
I was an instant fan as I had never been in my life. (I usually like things to grow on me before abandonning myself to passion. I need time).

But I remember the first time I laid my eyes on his Rocketeer comics. How could I not remember this?! This day I was introduced to many major artists in the US industry: Michael Kaluta, Berni Wrightson, Jeffrey Jones, Richard Corben, Wally Wood and many more. Along with these giants was Dave Stevens, a promising young genius as introduced by the publisher of the magazine. It was a French magazine called L'Echo des Savannes Special USA. I still have those copies of the mag, and about everything Dave Stevens would draw for the rest of his career, every interview I could find.
I wish I could have met him.