Dave Simons was an American comic book artist born on December 20, 1954, who passed away on June 9, 2009. Over a career spanning several decades, he built a solid reputation primarily through his work at Marvel Comics, where he contributed to some of the publisher's most enduring fantasy and action titles, including Conan, The Savage Sword of Conan, Ghost Rider, Red Sonja, and Spider-Man. His versatility showed in his ability to handle both sword-and-sorcery atmospherics and superhero energy with equal competence.
Marvel Premiere #49 (1979)
Simons also crossed over to DC Comics, where his work on the Forgotten Realms comic book adaptation became one of his most consistently credited projects, reflecting his comfort with fantasy-oriented material drawn from gaming source worlds. His catalog extended beyond traditional superhero fare to include Roger Rabbit, demonstrating a range that few artists of his era matched so quietly.
Howard the Duck #3 (1980)
Outside of periodical comics, Simons applied his drafting skills to commercial storyboard work and game-related illustration, contributing artwork to projects such as The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs and Greyhawk Ruins. Active in the industry from 1979 onward, he accumulated credits as artist, inker, letterer, and occasional writer across more than 160 issues — a body of work that reflects a dedicated journeyman career rather than fleeting prominence, leaving a tangible mark across multiple genres.
