The Energon Pub

News Credits: 4880 · Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:00 am

It is with great pain that I share with you that Earl Norem passed away on June 19, 2015. Born on April 17, 1924, he was 91 years old. Those who know him are well aware of his work and what he has accomplished in the wealth of art he leaves behind, such as his work on the Transformers Storybooks and Masters of the Universe covers(it was He-Man world which first reported this news). His classic painted style is easily recognizable and even those who don't know him by name will probably have fond memories of his work (some examples below).

He was a very humble man and a friend of the Seibertron community and the site was even able to interview him back in 2005. You can read the interview here if you want to know more about Earl and his work.

We wish his family our deepest sympathies.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:35 am

I remember so many of these storybooks from my childhood.
Rest in Peace and thank you for your great work.

News Credits: 19 · Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:07 am

Shame but he lived long and produced quality work much of which inspired us young kids of the 80's. His gorgeous artwork with Transformers and He-Man had so much more atmosphere than their animated series.

News Credits: 1 · Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:57 pm

Just stumbled across this sad news last night when I happened to check his Wikipedia page amid some silly argument I was having with a MOTU fan, and wondered if it had been reported days ago but lost in the deluge of BotCon coverage.

If you had to pick one artist whose work encapsulated how '80s kids remember their childhoods, it'd probably be Earl. Wheelie the Wild Boy of Quintesson especially influenced how I remembered the TF:TM era, and considering how awesome the movie was, that's saying something.

My condolences to his family, and may he know eternal peace.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:46 pm

Unless I'm mistaken, he was the first to ever give Prime a mouth.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:48 pm

I have Battle for Cybertron and I've read it to my 5 year old a few times. I think I'll read it to him again tonight.

News Credits: 41 · Tue Jun 23, 2015 2:32 pm

I still have two of his TF books from my childhood on my shelf. I look at them often, not just because of the nostalgia, or that they are TF books, but because the are great illustration reference and a reminder of what can be accomplished by the human hand.

Thanks for years of inspiration Earl.

News Credits: 5 · Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:36 pm

Rest in piece, my childhood wouldn't of been the same without you

News Credits: 33 · Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:50 pm

The quality of work this guy always produced was incredible. Its little gems like his art that still draw me back into my vintage G1 collection

News Credits: 1 · Tue Jun 23, 2015 5:18 pm

Along with Hector Garrido, the master artist responsible for the vivid card art for the 80's GIJoe line, Norem was one of my favorite commercial artists. At least for He-Man, his bold painting style created an ominous atmosphere that not even the Funimation cartoon or movie could capture. He left an indelible impression on the memories of thousands.

Rest peacefully and condolences for those closest to him.

Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:38 am

We all must go sometime, but this is still sad to read. I never had any of the storybooks, but I do recall seeing them in a local department store, and I also remember some of his MOTU art.

News Credits: 1 · Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:06 am

I too have The Battle for Cybertron and The Great Car Rally, and read them over and over and over as a kid. I remember learning to read the word "thousand" from The Great Car Rally (I pronounced it "THU-sand"!). In fact I also just recently found the books again, having taken my old stuff out of my parents' basement for a move. Just beautiful work. Rest in peace, Mr. Norem!