Friday, March 2, 2012

The Golem's Top 25 Deaths of 2011 (Part 5 of 5)

 5. Gene Colan
Legendary comic artist who hit in big at Marvel during its silver age boom. Colan's artwork had a unique, almost film-noir style - in sharp contrast to other artists at the time who openly imitated Jack Kirby or Steve Ditko. Colan was good at just about everything, but he was definitive on Daredevil, Howard the Duck, and Tomb of Dracula.

 4. Nicholas Courtney
Played "The Brigadier" throughout Doctor Who's Pertwee-era, and on-and-off throughout the remainder of the show's original run. The camaraderie his character shared with the title protagonist elevated Doctor Who to classic status.

 3. Harry Morgan
When he assumed the role of Colonel Potter on TV's M*A*S*H - during it's fourth season - he kept the show going great for almost a decade as one of it's most beloved characters. Was equally memorable as a comedic sidekick to Jack Webb on the 60's version of Dragnet.

 2. Elisabeth Sladen 
Doctor Who has had many companions in its decades-long history, but only Elisabeth (as Sarah-Jane Smith) was sufficiently beloved to warrant two spin-off series. She is the "Doctor's sidekick" with which all others will forever be compared.

 1. Steve Jobs
Co-founder and CEO of Apple, Inc. (and later Pixar Animation Studios.) The products introduced during his second term as Apple CEO (iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPad, etc...) redefined the role of technology throughout the world - and will continue to influence the industry for generations to come.

Tomorrow: "And the rest..." featuring honorable and dishonorable mentions.