Jiro Kuwata, who illustrated a manga based on DC Comics' Batman and created 8 Man and several other manga, has passed away at the age of 85.

Jiro Kuwata, who served as the writer and artist ofBatman: The Manga and8 Man, passed away on August 4at the age of85. Kuwata's publisher Akita Shoten confirmed the news in a brief statement.

Kuwata's first comic wasThe Strange Star Cluster, which he created at the age of 13. He would later rise to prominence with the creation of the original manga seriesMaboroshi Tantei, whichwould later be adapted into the tokusatsu seriesPhantom Detective. Kuwatalegacy was cemented with the creation of the Batman manga.

RELATED:Actor Wilford Brimley, Known For Cocoon and The Thing, Dies at 85

Batman enjoyed a surge of popularity in Japan due to the 1966TV show starring Adam West. Kuwatatook a sci-fi approach to the Dark Knight, pitting him and Robin against a variety of villains including Lord Death Man and Professor Gorilla. The manga would later be adapted to English by DC Comics in 2014, after being highlighted in Chip Kidd's Bat-Manga! The Secret History of Batman in Japan. The entire series is currently available in three English-language volumes.

Kuwataco-created8 Man with writer Kazumasa Hirai in 1963. The manga follows a cyborg superhero and would receivean anime adaptation in the same year it was published.It has inspired a video game, as well as two live-action films.

KEEP READING:Gone With the Wind's Olivia de Havilland Dies at 104

Warhammer: Why the Ultramarines Are the Stars of Marvel's 40K Series

A freelance journalist based in Seattle, Collier enjoys all facets of pop culture, namely comics and anime. Spider-Man is his favorite fictional character of all time.

Original post:

Jiro Kuwata, the Creator of 8 Man and the Batman Manga, Has Died - CBR - Comic Book Resources