Ernie Colón

Ernesto Colón Sierra was born on July 13, 1931, in Puerto Rico, and went on to become one of the more versatile and durable figures in American comics. He died on August 8, 2019.

Over a career spanning more than six decades, Colón worked across an unusually broad range of material — children's humor, superhero adventure, horror, and nonfiction — demonstrating a fluency with tone and genre that few artists matched. His credits run to hundreds of issues and include work as artist, colorist, inker, letterer, and writer, reflecting a craftsman's command of the full production process.

Among his most recognized assignments were *Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld* and *Arak / Son of Thunder*, both of which showcased his ability to render fantasy settings with clarity and energy. Younger readers knew him equally well from *The Friendly Ghost, Casper* and *Bullwinkle and Rocky*, where his linework suited the lighter demands of licensed humor comics. He also contributed to *Damage Control*, Marvel's satirical series set in the aftermath of superhero battles.

Later in his career Colón extended his reach into mainstream nonfiction illustration, demonstrating that his skills translated well beyond the traditional comics audience. His work appeared internationally, including in the German anthology *Die großen Phantastic-Comics*. Across all of it, Colón brought a consistent professionalism that earned him a lasting place in the medium's history.