Longtime Marvel artist Sinnott dies at age 93
Joseph Sinnott, a longtime comic book artist known for inking “The Fantastic Four” and “Thor,” has died at age 93.
Sinnott, who lived on Spaulding Lane in Saugerties, died on Thursday, June 25.
“It is with great sorrow that we must announce the passing of Joltin’ Joe Sinnott on June 25th at 8:40 a.m.,” a post on his Facebook page states. “... He went peacefully with the knowledge that his family, friends and fans adored him. He enjoyed life, and was drawing up until the end. He always loved hearing from all of you and having your comments read to him. Each and every one of you were special to him.”
The family asked for privacy but said condolences may be sent to The Sinnott Family, 27 Spaulding Lane, Saugerties, N.Y. 12477.
“Thank you again for being such loyal and dedicated fans and friends to Joe,” the Facebook post read. “He considered all fans friends, and seeing you at cons (conventions) and reading your messages was what kept him young at heart.”
The post drew hundreds of comments from fans and friends, some of whom shared stories of meeting Sinnott and having him support and encourage their own love of drawing. He also was remembered as being one of the finest human beings and a wonderful person who always was kind to the people he met.
Sinnott began working as an artist for Marvel Comics in 1950, and he remained there until his retirement in 1992. He then worked as a freelance artist for King Features Syndicate from 1992 to 2019, inking the Sunday “Spider-Man” newspaper comic strip.
Sinnott’s art appeared in numerous Marvel comics, with “The Fantastic Four” and “Thor” among his most notable work. He was instrumental in inking the first appearance of some of Marvel’s most iconic characters, including Thor, Dr. Doom, Silver Surfer, Galactus and Black Panther, according to an obituary prepared by the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home in Saugerties. Sinnott also illustrated the life of The Beatles, Pope John Paul II, Pope John XXIII and Mother Teresa, among others.
His comic art awards included the 1967 and 1968 Alley Awards, the 1995 Inkpot Award, the Inkwell Awards Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award, and The Will Eisner Award in 2013. In 2000, Sinnott was honored by the comic industry for 50 years in the business.
Sinnott also enjoyed illustrating baseball and football players, many for charitable organizations, and was active in youth baseball and basketball for many years, his obituary says. Three of his drawings are at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., and his artwork also can also be seen in his hometown in the silhouettes of Babe Ruth at the Saugerties Babe Ruth field, the village of Saugerties logo, and the R.A. Snyder and Washington Hook and Ladder logos that appear on their firetrucks.
Sinnott was born Oct. 16, 1926, in Saugerties, the son of Edward L. and Catherine McGraw Sinnott.
Sinnott served with the U.S. Navy Seabees in Okinawa, Japan, during World War II and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Theatre World War II Victory Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal.
He was a graduate of St. Mary of the Snow School, Saugerties High School and the Cartoonists and Illustrators School (School of Visual Arts) in New York City.
His wife, Elizabeth Kirlauski Sinnott, died in 2006.
Sinnott is survived by a brother, two sons, a daughter, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister and four brothers.
A private funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Saugerties, where Sinnott was a parishioner, followed by military honors at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
A public service will be announced at a later date.