http://www.newsarama.com/comics/al-rio- ... 20131.htmlBrazilian comic book artist Al Rio has been reported dead by numerous sources, including a personal testimonial from a friend on Bleeding Cool. The cause of death has been reported as apparent suicide by hanging. He was 49.
"We'd gotten together several weeks ago and were working hard on his projects, so news of his death came as quite a shock," wrote agent and collaborator David Campiti on Bleeding Cool. "He was a long-time friend whose art was a great joy to me and even inspired my wife's drawing career. Generous and humble, he'll be deeply missed."
Rio's recent work included work for Zenescope on their Grimm Fairy Tales franchise, and the 2010 Marvel miniseries New Mutants Forever, where he collaborated with legendary X-Men writer Chris Claremont.
"I didn’t push the limits because I think that a true hero should be simple," Rio told Newsarama in April 2010 of his work on New Mutants Forever. "I believe that the difficulty and pain they have to go through to destroy evil — not their clothes, but the intelligence — is the most appealing factor."
Rio gained attention in the '90s for his work at WildStorm, replacing original series artist J. Scott Campbell on Gen 13 and notching a year-long stint on DV8. He also co-created the Image series Exposure with Campiti.
Rio is survived by his wife and three children, with services planned for Feb. 1 in Brazil.
I don't recall every purchasing anything by him but it's a tragedy nonetheless especially for those he left behind.