HUNTINGTON -- Many comic fans were shocked recently when they learned of the death of Michael Turner.

Turner, one of the most popular comic artists of the modern era, died June 27 after a prolonged struggle with cancer. News of the artist's passing cast a somber mood over the weekend's Wizard World Chicago comic convention. The convention booth at Aspen Comics, an independent studio founded by Turner, became home to an impromptu tribute to Turner with numerous artists doing sketches of Turner's characters for fans. Turner was 37.

Ceredo-based writer Beau Smith recently wrote a tribute to Turner in his column on ComicsBulletin.com.

"From day one when I first met a very young Michael Turner to the last time that I talked to him, Michael was always one thing, a nice guy. A real one. Nothing fake, nothing," Smith wrote.

Smith met the artist during his term as Image Comics Vice President of Marketing.

"In the last couple of years, I really thought he was going to beat this thing. He never complained, and he never gave up," Smith said. "He worked like a Clydesdale all the way up to the end. His work ethic and drive was amazing. He really did gain strength from his fans."

Turner began his career working on "Witchblade" for Top Cow, an imprint of Image Comics. In 1998 Turner created Fathom, a super heroine with water-based powers that he would later published under his own company, Aspen Comics. In March of 2000, Turner was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a bone-based form of cancer. Despite losing a hip, a portion of his pelvis and several pounds of bone to the disease, Turner continued to remain busy.

Turner's work became increasingly high profile as his career advanced. At DC, Turner would provide cover-art for "Flash" as well as "Identity Crisis," the highest-selling mini-series of 2004. He illustrated a run on "Batman/Superman." Turner provided cover art for Marvel's "Civil War" mini-series. Earlier this year, Turner provided cover art for several Marvel titles including "Secret Invasion" and the 500th issue of "Uncanny X-Men." Turner also drew some online comic strips to promote the NBC television series "Heroes."

"Generally speaking, the news of Turner's death hit me in a lot of different ways. I mean, I'm also 37 and you have to be extra thankful for what you have in life," said John Horst, owner of Purple Earth Comics in Huntington. "It goes without saying, this is a huge loss for comics. He inspired many artists. He contributed to what made modern comic art fun."

Isaac Morgan, an employee at Purple Earth, was also touched.

"The thing that I truly loved about him is that he was dying of cancer, yet he would always tell people he was living with it and his work was never late," Morgan said. "Professionally, he will be remembered for his attention to detail in art. Personally, he will be remembered as a man who would do anything for the fans. He would even show up at conventions and draw sketches for people in his wheelchair when he was too weak to stand."

For comic fans, Turner's death is the latest in a series of losses. The past 10 months have seen the deaths of popular artist Mike Wieringo, colorist Stéphane Peru, silver age colorist Jerry Serpe, "Rocketeer" creator Dave Stevensk and Steve Gerber, one of the most controversial writers of the '70s and '80s.