Remembering Comic Artist Tom Lyle

I've always loved comic books. My uncles collected them so my first exposure was through them and their collections.

In college, I actually wrote one titled Blade of Shuriken with artist Reggie Byers. The title didn't last very long, but something I've always been quite proud of. Definitely an example of taking a risk that paid off on my part.

During that time in the mid to late eighties, I attended a lot of comic book conventions around the Philly area. It was where I met and hung out occasionally with an up-and-coming comic artist, Tom Lyle.

I hung out with him at his table over a few years of comic book conventions. Mostly because he was just fun to talk to. I also admired his talent quite a bit, knowing he'd be doing more than just test pages for Marvel at some point. So I was also a bit of a regular customer for sketches.

While I lost touch with him after a while, I know he went on to a bit of a career as a penciler at both Marvel and DC Comics. Only recently did I learn he later became a teacher.

So it was with a bit of sadness that I learned of his recent passing.

While I don't recall much other than having a lot of fun talking with him, I do have an original test page of his he did for Marvel along with a number of sketches he did for me during our time together.

So long, Tom. We may have lost touch, but you'll never be forgotten.