Veteran colorist Justin Ponsor, known for his work with DC, CrossGen and Marvel Comics, passed away on May 18, 2019, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 42 years old.
His family announced his passing on Ponsor’s professional Facebook page, writing: “After a long and well documented battle with cancer, Justin passed away in his home early on the morning of May 18 surrounded by loved ones. It has been a time of mourning, reminiscing, and, above all else, celebration. Because. C’mon. This guy.”
Ponsor’s foray into the comic industry began in 1995 following a chance meeting with then-Wildstorm President John Nee. He joined WildStorm’s coloring team and was first credited on Backlash/Spider-Man #1. He later gained prominence from his work as a colorist on titles such as Danger Girl and Wildcats. Ponsor worked exclusively for WildStorm until venturing into freelance work and becoming one of the initial hires for the CrossGen Comics in 2002.
Shortly thereafter, Ponsor resumed freelancing, providing work at both Marvel and DC. In 2005, Ponsor began a near-exclusive relationship with Marvel that lasted for the rest of his career. Throughout this time, Ponsor contributed to nearly every major title and character in the Marvel Universe. He frequently paired with Brian Michael Bendis on such titles as Spider-Man, The Defenders, and Spider-Men II. Ponsor also lended his talents to the pages of Marvel Two-in-One.
In 2017, Ponsor made his cancer diagnosis public and continued to work while receiving treatment. During this time, he launched a blog to keep fans updated on his progress, with plenty of humor mixed in with the heavy subject matter. Since the announcement of his passing, tributes from the comics community have begun to pour out on social media.
“As anyone who ever met Justin Ponsor knew, he was never just a colleague or colorist or creative partner... he was family. He embraced life with the biggest of hearts, the widest of smiles & the deepest of laughs. He made comics a better place. JPo’s loss will be felt forever,” said Marvel editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski.
“Just gutted to learn of Justin Ponsor’s passing,” tweeted veteran writer Ron Marz. “We worked at CrossGen together, and he was a lovely, gentle soul, as well as, very obviously, one of the best color artists in the business. Unspeakable tragedy. Rest easy, JPo.”
“Justin Ponsor was one of the most brilliant colorists in the comic book industry, elevating every story he worked on to new heights with his heart, humor, and passion for art. He touched the lives of countless comic book writers, artists, industry professionals, and fans, and his inspirational talent will never be forgotten. The Marvel family has lost one of our own. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones,” Marvel Comics shared on their official website.
Avengers #19, hitting shelves May 22, will be one of Ponsor's last published works.