Gahan Wilson: 1930-2019
Gahan Wilson, a truly warped individual who channeled his perverse sense of whimsy and the macabre into an award-winning artistic career, died yesterday at the age of 89. His family posts:
The world has lost a legend. One of the very best cartoonists to ever pick up a pen and paper has passed on. He went peacefully – surrounded by those who loved him.
Gahan Wilson leaves behind a large body of work that is finely drawn, elegant, and provocative.
He was preceded in death by his wife, author Nancy Winters Wilson, and his parents, Allen and Marion Wilson. He leaves behind stepsons, Randy Winters, and Paul Winters, and daughter in law Patrice Winters. Grandchildren, Tiffany Smith, Jessica Winters, Chris Winters, Ashtin Winters, Carlie Winters, Rachel Winters, Kyle Winters, and Jessie Winters, and two great grandchildren, Noah Smith, Jaylie Winters, and Elizabeth Winters.
Born dead (no, really) in Evanston, Illinois, on February 18, 1930, Wilson’s dark, horror-inspired cartoons and prose stories regularly appeared in the pages of Playboy, Collier’s and The New Yorker. He also created the comic strip “Nuts,” which ran in National Lampoon magazine. He also designed the World Fantasy Convention Award in 1975, which was modeled after his idol H.P. Lovecraft.
Our condolences to his family, friends, and fans. We hope he finds someplace classy.
