It is Cult Faction’s sad duty to report that the legendary artist Steve Dillon has passed away.

Born in Luton, England in 1962, Dillon got his first professional job at the age of 16, drawing the title story in the first issue of Hulk Weekly for Marvel UK, later working on the Nick Fury strip. In the 1980’s he also drew for Warrior and Doctor Who Magazine, where he created the character of Abslom Daak. He went on to produce numerous works for 2000 AD and Warrior.

Along with Brett Ewins, Dillon started the comic magazine Deadline in 1988, which continued for another seven years. Together with author Garth Ennis, Dillon worked on Hellblazer and, later, on the awesome Preacher which wrapped up in 2000 after 66 issues. Dillon also created the character Dogwelder, featured in Ennis’s series Hitman.

Dillon’s passing was announced by his younger brother, cartoonist Glyn Dillon,today: