Newsday reports that artist Frank Springer has passed away at the age of 79. Springer was one of the original group of artists that brought the "Transformers" of yesteryear to life on the printed page was Frank Springer. His work on the Generation One comic book was memorable and among the best that title ever turned out. Born in Jamaica, Queens in 1929, he attended Syracuse University and served in the military. "The artist would listen to jazz and opera while he worked, and he never got too high-minded about his outstanding talent, his son said." the article states. You may read the article in its entirety here.

Many fans hold the original G1 cartoon series in high esteem above the original comic book. However, I always felt the G1 comic had a particular gritty reality to it in its initial issues that the television series lacked, and that grittiness was brought back to the series when Springer drew the four issue "Headmasters" series. I admired his art for years and treasured his visual take on classic characters such as Shockwave and Optimus Prime. He will be missed and my condolences go out to his family.