Jackson “Butch” Guice remembered

May 2, 2025

Today, the comic book world mourns the loss of an industry legend. Jackson “Butch” Guice, whose prolific career spanned five decades, has passed away at the age of 63. I learned of his passing early this morning—a sobering reminder of life’s fragility. As I reflected on the news, I couldn’t help but think about how close Jeff and I are to that very age.

I first encountered Guice’s work in 1986 with the release of X-Factor #1, although by then he had already established an impressive résumé in his short career. His first published work appeared in The Crusaders (December 1982), and by the age of 25, he had contributed to titles such as Micronauts, New Mutants, Rom, Dazzler, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, X-Men, The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, Teen Titans Spotlight, and Badger. Over the years, he was published by Marvel, DC, Valiant, First Comics, and Quality Comics.

Guice played a critical role in shaping one of comics’ most iconic narratives—the “Death of Superman” storyline—working alongside Roger Stern, David Michelinie, Louise Simonson, Dan Jurgens, and Mike Carlin on Action Comics#676–711 (1992–1995). In the 2000s, he continued his legacy with notable contributions to Captain America, Iron Man, Birds of Prey, Ruse, Aquaman, World War Hulk, and Humanoids.

What always stood out to me about Guice’s art was his impeccable sense of anatomy and composition. His layouts were dynamic and detailed, yet never excessive. Unlike much of the art from the mid-1990s, which often leaned into exaggerated proportions, Guice’s characters always felt grounded and believable. His style reminded me of artists like Pat Broderick, Gene Colan, Michael Golden, Tony DeZuniga, and even Kieron Gillen—yet his approach was often cleaner, more precise. He had a particular knack for architectural and mechanical details, rendering buildings and aircraft with striking realism. And notably, his characters always looked distinct from one another—a rare and difficult achievement in the medium.

Beyond his immense talent, Jackson Guice was a son, husband, and father. On behalf of ACE Grading Co., we extend our deepest condolences to the Guice family. We are grateful for the enduring legacy he leaves behind and for the countless stories he helped bring to life.

Rest in peace, Mr. Guice. Your work will continue to inspire generations to come.

Rob Pillsbury