Álvaro Araújo Lourenço do Rio (19 May 1962[1] – 31 January 2012)[2] – known professionally as Al Rio – was a Brazilian comic book artist, best known for his "good girl"[1] illustration work, particularly on the American comic book series Gen13 and DV8, published by Wildstorm Comics.
| Al Rio | |
|---|---|
 Al Rio | |
| Born | Álvaro Araújo Lourenço do Rio 19 May 1962 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil |
| Died | 31 January 2012 (aged 49) Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Area(s) | Artist |
Early life edit
Al Rio was born in Fortaleza, Ceará, in northeastern Brazil.[1]
Career edit
Rio began his professional art career in Rio de Janeiro in the early 1990s, illustrating books for a local English school. After then working as animation director for the same company, Rio became an animator for The Walt Disney Company, working on such properties as the syndicated Aladdin animated series.[1] In the early 1990s he joined the art agency Glass House Graphics.[2]
Known primarily for his comic book work, he drew for Wildstorm Comics — particularly on Gen13 and DV8, for which he is best known — Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Chaos Comics, Image Comics, Zenescope Entertainment, Malibu Comics, Crossgen, Vertigo, and Amazing Comics. Titles he worked on include Dungeon Siege, Grimm Fairy Tales, Avengelyne, Voodoo, Grifter and the Mask, Secret Files, WildC.A.T.S., X-Men Unlimited, Captain America, Star Wars - A New Hope, Purgatori, Titan A.E., Exposure, Knockout, Mystic, Peter Parker - Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Threshold, and Ana - Jungle Girl. He was especially known for his "good girl art".
Personal life and death edit
Rio died January 31, 2012. According to his art agency (Glass House Graphics, which Rio joined in the mid-1990s), the apparent cause was suicide by hanging. His funeral was held at Cemitério São João Batista in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. He was survived by his wife, Zilda, and three children: Renan, Andrielle and Isabelly.[2]
Legacy edit
In July 2013, it was announced that producer Kevin VanHook was developing a television series based on Exposure, the Red Giant Entertainment comic book series that Rio created with agent David Campiti.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Campiti, David. "Remembering Al Rio". BleedingCool.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
- ^ a b c Minovitz, Ethan (2 February 2012). "Animator, artist Al Rio dies in apparent suicide". The Big Cartoon Database. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
...died Tuesday [January 31, 2012] morning.
- ^ Aboraya, Abraham (July 31, 2013). "Behind the deal: Red Giant's 'Exposure' to become TV show thanks to San Diego Comic-Con". Orlando Business Journal.
Further reading edit
- Whitworth, Jerry (2014). Al Rio Tribute Art Book – Volume One (2003-2005). privately published.
External links edit
- Al Rio Art
- Al Rio biography on Lambiek