Steve Dillon, Co-Creator of ‘Preacher’ Comic-Book, Dies at 54

Steve Dillon, the British co-creator of the comic-book that inspired the AMC drama series “Preacher,” has died.

Dillon was 54 and died in New York City, according to a tweet posted Saturday by his brother, Glyn Dillon. No further details were immediately available.

Dillon was a prolific comic-book artist who got his start as a teenager working for Marvel’s U.K.-based operation on “Hulk” and “Fury” comics. He co-created the “Preacher” series with Garth Ennis in 1995 for Vertigo. The comic series ended in October 2000 after 66 issues.

The comic was adapted by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg for a drama series that premiered earlier this year on AMC and has been renewed for a second season. Dillon was a co-exec producer with Ennis on the series.

“Steve Dillon was an enormously talented illustrator who, with Garth Ennis, created a cult classic comic we were so proud to bring to television with Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Sam Catlin and our partners at Sony. He will be missed,” AMC said in a statement on Saturday.

In addition to “Preacher,” Dillon was known for his work on such titles as “2000AD,” “Hellblazer,” and “Punisher.”

In the 1980s, Dillon got his start in Britain drawing for magazines including Warrior and Doctor Who Magazine, according to ComicBook.com. He also launched comic magazine Deadline with Brett Ewins in 1988, which continued for another seven years.

Rogen tweeted about the news on Saturday morning, writing, “Devastated by the loss of Steve Dillon. My favorite comic artist who drew my favorite comics. RIP.”

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