Award-winning comic book and manga letterer Dave Lanphear has passed away at the age of 58 due to complications related to diabetes. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, Lanphear helped pioneer digital lettering techniques across both North American comic publishers and manga localizations.
A Legacy in Lettering
Beginning his career as a newspaper illustrator in 1985, Lanphear joined the prominent Comicraft studio in 1994, where he played a foundational role in advancing digital lettering workflows. He later led the lettering department at CrossGen Entertainment before co-founding Artmonkeys Studios and continuing his prolific output as a freelance letterer. Beyond mainstream Western comics—where he lettered iconic series such as Batman: The Long Halloween and Mighty Avengers—Lanphear contributed significantly to manga localization in North America, lending his craft to titles including Bleach, Beyblade, Densha Otoko, and Oyayubihime Infinity.
Lanphear's contributions earned widespread critical acclaim within the comic industry. He won two Eisner Awards in 2011 for his work on Return of the Dapper Men and Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard, alongside multiple Harvey Award nominations in 2012 and 2014. In addition to print publication, Lanphear also worked in animated television as a storyboard artist and revisionist for series such as Ultimate Spider-Man and Dragon Tales.
Comic-Con is saddened to hear of the passing of comic book letterer Dave Lanphear, best known for his prolific work for Marvel, CrossGen, Valiant, DC, and others. Dave's lettering also appeared in “Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard” and “Return of the Dapper Men,” each winning an Eisner Award in 2011. Our condolences go out to his sister Tera and fiancee Laura Bee.
Comic-Con International
