One of my heroes died Monday.

Dave Stevens, the man who created the comic-book hero the Rocketeer, died at 53 after a long battle with leukemia. His comic output was small, but those two albums of the Rocketeer rank high in my list of some of the most brilliant comic-book work of the last three decades. Gorgeous art, pristine storytelling and rockin' adventure. What's not to love? And his rendition of Betty Page didn't hurt either...

I met him twice out at San Diego and he was a class act. Very gracious to his fans, and he seemed honestly pleased when I told him of my admiration for the Rocketeer.

Last I knew the film the Rocketeer was available in my DVR's On Demand Free Movies. I may have to put it on tonight when I get home.