Rest in peace, Brian Augustyn

Comic writer and former DC editor Brian Augustyn passed away this weekend after a sudden and severe stroke, according to his longtime friend and collaborator Mark Waid.

“Comics has lost a very kind, very talented man who has been my big brother and one of my very best friends for nearly 35 years,” Waid said in a post on Facebook. Augustyn was 67 years old and is survived by his wife Nadine and two daughters, Carrie and Allie.

Augustyn’s career in comics started in the 1980s, editing independent comics like Trollords, Syphons and Speed Racer for Tru Studios and Now Comics. In 1988, he joined DC Comics and became co-editor of Action Comics Weekly, which at the time was an anthology title featuring stories about Superman, Wild Dog, Green Lantern John Stewart and more.

Augustyn would work at DC until 1996, editing titles like Justice League and The Flash. He hired Waid to write the latter in 1992, which kicked off an acclaimed run and led to a spinoff title, Impulse. Augustyn also worked on the Impact Comics line, where DC licensed characters like the Comet, the Fly and the Shield from Archie Comics.

In addition to editing, Augustyn was a writer in his own right. He wrote Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, working with Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell to bring the Elseworlds title to life.

He also wrote its sequel, Batman: Master of the Future, as well as titles like Out There and Crimson with artist Humberto Ramos. He and Waid co-wrote several titles, including X-O Manowar, The Crusaders, JLA: Year One and The Flash, including The Life Story of the Flash graphic novel.

Waid has asked Augustyn’s friends, colleagues and fans to send cards and letters for his family to read.

“I’m asking you to send a card or a note to his wife Nadine and daughters Carrie and Allie to express your condolences and tell them what he meant to you,” Waid said. “I believe it would mean a lot to them. I realize we live in an ephemeral era of emails and texts, but something tangible, something on paper, something they can treasure, would be appreciated. Send to the following address and I will pass everything along, so please keep it to letters and cards if you will.”

They can be sent to:

Mark Waid for the Augustyns
c/o Humanoids
6464 Sunset Blvd, Suite 1180
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Gutted to hear the news of Brian Augustyn's passing.
Brian was a comic book writer/editor/giant, notably helping Mark Waid revamp The Flash in the 1990s. He oversaw the creation of the Speed Force and Impulse, and co-wrote The Life Story of the Flash and the Dark Flash saga.

— Sterling Gates (@sterlinggates) February 1, 2022

When editor Brian Augustyn hired me at DC, way back when I was a lad, and I was thanking him, he stopped me. He said, "This is not a boon. Not a gift from on high. You earned this chance."
That's how talent should be treated.

— Patch the Freebooter (@PatrickZircher) April 17, 2021

I'm very sorry to learn of Brian Augustyn's passing. During my time as writer/artist on Justice League, Brian was my editor, sounding board and compass, who kept me on course. RIP, buddy.

— Dan Jurgens (@thedanjurgens) February 1, 2022

I'm gut punched to learn that we lost @BrianAugustyn after a stroke. Brian and I have been variously friends, neighbors, colleagues, and collaborators for almost 40 years. Brian was a big guy, a wry, grinning force of nature. It's hard to believe… pic.twitter.com/j78pWZ7hdy

— Paul "Pre-Order SUPERTOWN" Kupperberg (@PaulKupperberg) February 1, 2022

Brian Augustyn–whoa. This hurts. DC editor, writer and with ARCHIE 1941 a collaborator of mine. Last message I received from him was about how satisfying his life had become. I feel he had more stories to tell. My condolences to his family and all his fans.

— Peter Krause (@petergkrause) February 1, 2022