Drew Hayes

Drew Hayes was the writer and artist behind the long-running independent comic *Poison Elves*, a series he created and shepherded for over a decade. Born Lawrence Andrew Hayes on July 20, 1969, he entered the comics scene in the early 1990s, self-publishing his distinctive blend of fantasy, dark humor, and punk-rock attitude. His signature work followed the misadventures of the sarcastic, morally ambiguous elf I, Lusiphur, a character who became the series’ chaotic center. Hayes handled nearly every aspect of the book himself—writing, penciling, inking, lettering, and coloring—giving *Poison Elves* a raw, energetic visual style that matched its irreverent tone. Over his career, he contributed to 128 cataloged issues, with notable titles including *I, Lusiphur*, *Poison Elves: Lusiphur & Lirilith*, and the *Poison Elves Archive Edition*. He also collaborated on the *ElfQuest: New Blood* series. Hayes died on March 21, 2007, at age 37, leaving behind a devoted fanbase and a body of work that remains a touchstone of 1990s independent comics. His legacy is one of fierce creative independence, with *Poison Elves* continuing to be collected and remembered for its singular voice.