Bernie Wrightson (1948-2017) was an American artist best known for his work in the horror genre, particularly for his illustrations of classic horror stories such as Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and H.P. Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu". Wrightson was born in Maryland and grew up in a creative household, with both his parents being amateur artists. Wrightson began his career in the comic book industry in the late 1960s, working for publishers such as DC Comics and Marvel Comics. His early work included illustrating superhero titles like "The House of Secrets" and "Swamp Thing". He co-created the character of Swamp Thing with writer Len Wein, and the character became one of his most iconic creations. In addition to his comic book work, Wrightson also illustrated books, movie posters, album covers, and other media. He was particularly drawn to horror and macabre themes, and his detailed and intricate illustrations captured the grotesque and terrifying aspects of his subject matter with masterful skill. Wrightson's most famous work is likely his illustrations for Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". His illustrations for the 1983 edition of the novel, published by Marvel Comics, were praised for their haunting beauty and attention to detail. Wrightson spent seven years creating the illustrations, which were done in pen and ink and featured a stunning level of detail and texture. Wrightson's other notable works include his illustrations for Stephen King's "Cycle of the Werewolf" and his own original graphic novel, "Frankenstein: Alive, Alive!", which he completed shortly before his death in 2017. Throughout his career, Wrightson was admired for his technical skill and his ability to create vivid and unsettling images that stayed with viewers long after they had put down his books. He was a true master of horror illustration, and his work has had a profound impact on the genre.