Juan Giménez Dies at Age 76

Writer/artist Juan Giménez has died at the age of 76 on April 2, 2020 in his hometown of Mendoz, Argentina. The passing was confirmed by long-time publisher Humanoids. 

“RIP Juan Giménez, the writer, artist, and genre trailblazer behind The Metabarons, The Fourth Power, and Leo Roa,” the company tweeted. “The universe is a darker place to explore without you.”

According to the Argentinian newspaper La Nacion, Giménez had been hospitalized since March 22 and was later diagnosed with COVID-19.

Born Juan Antonio Giménez López in 1943, the Argentinian artist moved to Spain to attend Barcelona’s Academy of Fine Arts. After graduation, Giménez became a popular name in the European comics scene – particularly working in the science fiction genre. His work reached an even broader audience with the 1981 animated film Heavy Metal, for which he designed the “Harry Cannon” short. In 1992, he began work on what was to be one of his hallmark series – Metabarons with writer Alejandro Jodorowsky.

“He did beautiful elaborate and decorative work that was the envy of many, including me,” said Walter Simonson. “Never met him, but I didn’t have to. His influence touched my work and still remains, hidden away here and there.”