We are reporting this a little late but we figure some of you would like to know. Veteran and pioneer Filipino Komiks illustrator Jesse Santos passed away last April 27, 2013 according to his grandson Geoffrey De Vera. He passed away just shy of 84 at his residence in San Fernando Valley in California.

Jesse began working in comics for the very first Philippine serialized comic book “Halakhak” in 1946 on a title called “Kidlat”. It was his the start of a collaboration with Damy Velasquez which would continue on the popular series “DI-13? which lasted many years.

Moving to the US in the late 60's, Jesse found success drawing comics such as Dagar, Doctor Spektor and Tragg. He was also a very successful portrait artist, depicting popular popular political figures and celebrities.