Inkpot Award-winning comic book artist Jackson “Butch” Guice did on May 1, 2025.
“He is exactly the kind of man I would have picked to love and protect my sister,” wrote Guice’s brother-in-law, James Hettel, on Facebook. “Thank You Lord for the chance you gave me to know and be around Butch. Hooah brother! Save me a seat on the bank by the water.”
Guice was renowned as an artist for his dynamic and detailed illustration style. His work is characterized by a realism and dynamic action blend, which made him a go-to artist for superhero and adventure narratives. Over a career spanning four decades, he contributed significantly to both DC and Marvel Comics, with his work appearing on everything from Marvel’s Micronauts (his first professional work) in the 1980s to DC’s Action Comics in the 1990s to DC’s Birds of Prey and Humanoids’ Olympus in the 2000s to Heavy Metal’s Amber Blake: Operation Dragonfly in the 2020s.
Guice’s work on Action Comics was particularly influential, with him contributing to both the “Death of Superman” and “Reign of the Supermen” storylines. He also worked on other Big Two titles, including Flash, Resurrection Man, New Mutants, X-Factor, Iron Man, Nick Fury, Toy Story, and Swords of Swashbucklers (which he co-created with Bill Mantlo). His work on Action Actions was particularly,
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, during “the Jurassic era,” Guice developed an early interest in drawing and storytelling. His childhood was filled with real and imaginary adventures, and he was an avid reader of classics like Jules Verne and Mark Twain. “I had what amounted to a ‘Disney’ childhood,” Guice said in an interview with Canary Noir.
He was set on becoming a comic artist when he discovered comic books and started attending comic book conventions. “It was very important at that particular time to receive such encouragement because all the distractions of teenage life were entering into the picture ( girls, wanderlust, girls, a car, girls… ),” he continued in the Canary Noir interview. “Just hearing a working professional, someone whose work you respect and admire, say your own work displays potential, you’re on the right track, keep working hard… can make all the difference in whether you ever realize your dream or not.”
Guice’s death has led to an outpouring of support from his fans and the comic book industry.
“Like everyone, I was a huge fan of his work. His relaunch of The Flash back in ‘87 is seared into my brain, filled with the kind of energy and power you can only find in comics while still feeling so incredibly real,” wrote Chip Zdarsky, via his newsletter. “A consummate draftsman who inherited the mantle of a style originated by greats like Alex Raymond and Al Williamson, Butch was their equal, the artist you went to when you needed to feel like these characters actually existed, actually had real, genuine emotions.”
Kelley Jones posted on X, “Butch is gone. I’ll only add that Butch Guice saw something in me that I didn’t way back in 1982. I couldn’t trust myself that I had what it took to make comics so Butch said trust him and I did. He insisted I follow him as the penciller on the Micronauts when he left the title. For the next couple months he would take time from his new gig, and help me figure out how to draw a monthly book. Butch’s advice and instruction on that matter I use to this day. God the talent he possessed! But it was his kind heart I will most be striving to follow. I will miss you brother.”
“Reeling from the news of Butch Guice,” wrote Laura Martin on Facebook. “A little part of me is still hoping it’s not true. We haven’t talked in a long time, but we were thick as thieves at CrossGen, not only because I had the ultimate pleasure of working on Ruse with him and Mike Perkins, but also because we were truly friends who looked out for each other.”
Responding to Hettel’s Facebook announcement, Joseph Illidge wrote, “My condolences to you and your family, James. Butch was a friend, we worked together, and he was an old school guy in the best ways. I’m gutted.”
Comics Beat sends its condolences to Guice’s family, friends, colleagues, and fans.
