Legendary Marvel and DC artist Sam Kieth, who also co-created The Sandman with Neil Gaiman died on Sunday March 15 at the age of 63 following a battle with Lewy Body Dementia, a degenerative neurological disorder caused by abnormal protein deposits. The news was confirmed by his family in a statement shared on social media.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sam Kieth on Sunday March 15, 2026. Sam suffered from Lewy Body Dementia for several years. As per Sam's wishes, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, his family asks for donations to be made in his name to either Hero Initiative, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Sam's family, friends, and legions of devoted fans will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife Kathy and his mother, Sammie Robertson," it read. Sam and Kathy had been married for 43 years at the time of his death.

Sam's first published work came as a teenager and was "a story in the back of a Comico comic about a killer rabbit named Max the Hare".

He began working for Marvel comics in 1989 working on hugely popular series including Peter Parker: Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and the comic book adaptations of Clive Barker's Hellraiser and Freddy Krueger's A Nightmare On Elm Street. He also drew numerous covers for Marvel Comics Presents. At the other comic giants DC he worked on numerous Batman titles amongst other brands.

In 1989, he helped Neil Gaiman create The Sandman and penciled the first five issues. Decades later the tomes would be picked up by Netflix for a popular fantasy series.

Tributes flooded in for the star as fans learned the news of his death. Taking to Facebook one penned: "I'm crushed to hear about the passing of comics legend Sam Kieth. I don't often pause here to acknowledge the passing of a celebrity, even when it's one I admire, but I was a huge fan of Sam Kieth and his comics, he was one of my top three comics' artists of all time, from a young age....There was and will be only one Sam Kieth."

Another added: "Just read that Sam Keith died. He was a phenomenal artist with incredible skills that made him stand out a very different from the others artists he was surrounded with in his most popular and prolific days. I always wondered what he was up to. Apparently he was sick. And now hes gone. His art will last thru history forever. 'What we do in life echos through eternity'."

A third chimed in: "Sad to see the news of Sam Kieth passing away. To say that he had an influence upon myself and a whole generation of young artists in the 90s would be an understatement...Just an incredible artist whose line I have studied closely over the years. RIP. My thanks and respect to one of the GOATS!"

A fourth shared: "R.I.P. the great Sam Kieth, comic book writer and artist, co-creator of The Sandman, creator of The Maxx and so much more, gone too soon at age 63." A fifth opined: "Sad news. Sam Kieth, creator of The Maxx and co-creator of Sandman, one the most unique and fascinating voices in comics, has passed away...What a talent. What a loss. Safe travels, comics comrade."

Meanwhile a sixth lamented: "I have just received news that the legendary artist Sam Kieth has passed away.... A huge hero, influence, and inspiration.... Single handedly the person that made me a comic book COLLECTOR, the way Ramones make you collect records..."