If you wish to contact me for any particular reason, please click here.

May

18

Filipino Comics Illustrator Ernie Chan Passes Away

Filed Under Comics Artists, Filipino Artists, Philippine Comics | 9 Comments


Mark Waid, Ernie Chan, Alex Niño, Gerry Alanguilan, Tony DeZuniga, “Filipino Invasion” Panel, San Diego Comic-con 2012. Click for Larger Image

So soon after we lost Tony DeZuniga, we lose another great Filipino comics illustrator. Ernesto “Ernie” Chan, also known previously as Ernie Chua. Ernie worked extensively for American comics specially on titles like Conan, Kull, Batman, Doctor Strange and so many more. For a period of a few years in the 70s, Ernie did a lot of covers for DC comics.

I met Mang Ernie for the first time during the San Diego Comic-con, although I’ve been corresponding with him via email for a number of years. To be honest, I couldn’t recall how I felt because I was kind of shellshocked during that time. It was also the first time I met Alex Niño, and to be in the same room with him and Mang Tony, and Mark Waid, Whilce Portacio was also there… my mind probably just blew a fuse.

I am saddened to hear of Mang Ernie’s passing. I heard from Tina DeZuniga that Ernie had been feeling sick during that convention, and he found out he had cancer soon afterwards. It’s sad to lose one, but it’s truly crushing to lose so many in such a short amount of time.

But Mang Ernie lived a full life. He had accomplished a lot. There was a point in time that he was one of the hottest artists working comics. DC wouldn’t give you the honor of drawing so many cover on their mainstream titles if you weren’t so well regarded. He deserves to be remembered and recognized as someone who contributed positively to the image of Filipinos and their talents worldwide.

Comments

9 Responses to “Filipino Comics Illustrator Ernie Chan Passes Away”

  1. Another Great Passes … Ernie Chan | Comic Art Community on May 18th, 2012 3:07 pm

    [...] http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/4180 [...]

  2. Antonio Lukban on May 18th, 2012 8:03 pm

    Just as Mang Tony, Ernie will be remembered! I hope I had a chance to meet him like you did. what’s important now is that they are both in a better and happier place… maybe with real life super heroes too!

  3. Conan artist Ernie Chan passes away at age 71 | Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources – Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment on May 18th, 2012 9:55 pm

    [...] 1970s on Batman and Conan the Barbarian, passed away Wednesday at age 71. According to cartoonist Gerry Alanguilan, Chan recently had been diagnosed with cancer. His death follows that of fellow Filipino artist [...]

  4. Mark on May 18th, 2012 10:54 pm

    Its sad to hear another great who passed away. I wrote about this earlier…

    http://geekmatic.blogspot.com/2012/05/ernie-chan-remembered-1940-2012.html

    Looking at both Mang Tony and Sir Ernie’s sketch they are a unique kind of talent who made their names in the international comics scene.

    They will be both missed. :(

  5. Weird Crime Theater - R.I.P. Ernie Chan on May 19th, 2012 5:35 am

    [...] Another of the best. [...]

  6. Noel Tuazon on May 19th, 2012 8:33 am

    So sad to hear of the loss of another great comics creator. I feel so lucky to have met both men along with Mr. Nino at the ’06 SDCC.

    Condolences to both the DeZuniga & Chan families.

  7. Ian Toledo on May 19th, 2012 12:42 pm

    Whenever I picked up a Savage Sword of Conan book, I would always check who drew it. It was usually John Buscema, but when he was inked by Ernie Chan it was something else. I don’t know how but he somehow made Buscema’s work look even sweeter. But he wasn’t just a great inker, he was also a great draftsman/storyteller, his drawn Conan stories looked great as well. It was probably just me, but I thought his Conan ended up looking a bit Filipino, which was cool by me. I would always end up picking up the mags where his work would be found. I still have the first issue of his co-creation; Claw the Unconquered hidden somewhere, the warrior with the demon hand. He gave my adolescence a nice sense of visceral aesthetic. He will be missed.

  8. Omar on May 22nd, 2012 9:39 am

    He’s a national treasure. Rest in peace.

  9. Mark on May 25th, 2012 10:29 pm

    Got a hold of Mang Ernie Chan’s leaflet scan from a friend who visited last Monday at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church where they held a mass for him…

    http://markcerbo.blogspot.com/2012/05/details-on-ernie-chans-passing-and.html

    Sorry for the delay in sharing the link just been busy lately.

    I will miss both Ernie Chan and Tony DeZuniga.

    As long as we’re around let us continue to honor their legacy.