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Legendary artist Norman K. Breyfogle died of heart failure in his Houghton, Michigan home on September 23, 2018. Best known for the distinct style he brought to drawing and co-authoring Batman and other iconic comics during his career, his family and friends knew Norm as so much more than his characters.
Norm was a crazy-fun, multi-layered, spiritual person who enjoyed philosophizing and debating. He felt deeply and thought deeply; art was his platform for exposing and defeating injustice, inspiring others to do the same. With his infectious sense of humor, he laughed at the absurdities of life. Adventurous in nature, Norm enjoyed camping, hiking, bicycling, snow shoeing, and skiing–usually with his brother.
Born February 27, 1960 in Iowa City, IA to Gerald and Lois (Roberts) Breyfogle, Norm demonstrated award winning artistic talent from an early age, profiled by the Daily Mining Gazette as a “near master cartoonist” when he was 16. Michigan Technical University commissioned Norm to draw a comic called Tech Team when he was in high school. He studied painting and illustration at Northern Michigan University.
Norm’s comics career launched with an original story in DC Comics’ New Talent Showcase in 1984, followed by creative work in Tales of Terror, Captain America, and Marvel Fanfare. He drew Whisper for First Comics before DC Comics hired him to draw Batman in 1987. In addition to his own original comic, Metaphysique, he contributed his drawing and writing talents to comics around the industry, including: Anarky, Aquaman, The Flash, Spectre, Superman, and Wonder Woman for DC Comics; Avengers, Black Panther, and Captain America for Marvel, and; Archie for Archie Comics.
Outside the comics industry, Norm produced fantasy art, fine art, and commercial art for clients around the world. He also produced illustrations for a book commissioned by St. John’s Monastery in Eagle Harbor, Michigan.
Deeply appreciative of his global fan base, Norm’s fans reveled in his accessibility. Norm travelled to ComiCon conventions and comic book stores around the world, where loyal fans lined up to meet him, buy sketches, and take pictures. Fans, peers, and comics industry analysts celebrated Norm as one of the greatest, whose work would preserve his memory long after we are all gone. Others noted his generosity, seeing him as a hero who was brave, sweet, compassionate, intense, dynamic, and sincere. Through social media, many who never met him said they feel they lost a friend, an incredible person who had a positive impact on their lives.
Norm suffered a stroke in 2014 that paralyzed his left side. Unable to draw professionally, he refocused on writing, leaving behind an unfinished novel, short stories, and poetry that his family is preserving with creative works that spans his lifetime.
Norman is survived by his father Gerald Breyfogle of Green Valley, AZ, his sister Penny Duncan of Phoenix, AZ, and his brother Kevin Breyfogle of Hancock, MI, who is also a talented artist.
The family will hold a celebration of Norm’s life on October 27, 2018 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for a memorial to Norm’s life and achievements at Houghton Cemetery in Houghton, MI, and to cover costs of preserving his art. Donations will be accepted at www.gofundme.com/kt782j-artist-norm-breyfogle-memorial-fund.
Norm was a crazy-fun, multi-layered, spiritual person who enjoyed philosophizing and debating. He felt deeply and thought deeply; art was his platform for exposing and defeating injustice, inspiring others to do the same. With his infectious sense of humor, he laughed at the absurdities of life. Adventurous in nature, Norm enjoyed camping, hiking, bicycling, snow shoeing, and skiing–usually with his brother.
Born February 27, 1960 in Iowa City, IA to Gerald and Lois (Roberts) Breyfogle, Norm demonstrated award winning artistic talent from an early age, profiled by the Daily Mining Gazette as a “near master cartoonist” when he was 16. Michigan Technical University commissioned Norm to draw a comic called Tech Team when he was in high school. He studied painting and illustration at Northern Michigan University.
Norm’s comics career launched with an original story in DC Comics’ New Talent Showcase in 1984, followed by creative work in Tales of Terror, Captain America, and Marvel Fanfare. He drew Whisper for First Comics before DC Comics hired him to draw Batman in 1987. In addition to his own original comic, Metaphysique, he contributed his drawing and writing talents to comics around the industry, including: Anarky, Aquaman, The Flash, Spectre, Superman, and Wonder Woman for DC Comics; Avengers, Black Panther, and Captain America for Marvel, and; Archie for Archie Comics.
Outside the comics industry, Norm produced fantasy art, fine art, and commercial art for clients around the world. He also produced illustrations for a book commissioned by St. John’s Monastery in Eagle Harbor, Michigan.
Deeply appreciative of his global fan base, Norm’s fans reveled in his accessibility. Norm travelled to ComiCon conventions and comic book stores around the world, where loyal fans lined up to meet him, buy sketches, and take pictures. Fans, peers, and comics industry analysts celebrated Norm as one of the greatest, whose work would preserve his memory long after we are all gone. Others noted his generosity, seeing him as a hero who was brave, sweet, compassionate, intense, dynamic, and sincere. Through social media, many who never met him said they feel they lost a friend, an incredible person who had a positive impact on their lives.
Norm suffered a stroke in 2014 that paralyzed his left side. Unable to draw professionally, he refocused on writing, leaving behind an unfinished novel, short stories, and poetry that his family is preserving with creative works that spans his lifetime.
Norman is survived by his father Gerald Breyfogle of Green Valley, AZ, his sister Penny Duncan of Phoenix, AZ, and his brother Kevin Breyfogle of Hancock, MI, who is also a talented artist.
The family will hold a celebration of Norm’s life on October 27, 2018 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for a memorial to Norm’s life and achievements at Houghton Cemetery in Houghton, MI, and to cover costs of preserving his art. Donations will be accepted at www.gofundme.com/kt782j-artist-norm-breyfogle-memorial-fund.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
THe Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.
