Dheeraj Verma

Dheeraj Verma (22 October 1967 – 7 June 2021) is widely recognized as the first Indian artist to break into the American comic book industry. Born in India, Verma began his career in Indian comics before transitioning to US work in the early 2000s. His American debut came through collaborations with writer Joe R. Lansdale, adapting Lansdale's *By Bizarre Hands* stories into graphic form. Verma's detailed, atmospheric style—equally adept at horror and historical drama—made him a sought-after artist for genre work. He is best known for his extensive contributions to the *Living Dead* franchise, including *Plague of the Living Dead*, *Escape of the Living Dead*, and *Escape of the Living Dead: Airborne*, where he served as artist, colorist, and inker. Verma also illustrated several volumes of Osprey's *Graphic History* series, bringing military and historical narratives to life. His versatility extended to licensed properties, notably co-creating the crossover *The X-Files / Transformers: Conspiracy*. Over a career spanning 2004 to 2017, Verma was credited on 25 issues, leaving a lasting impact as a pioneer for Indian talent in mainstream comics. He passed away in 2021 at age 53.