UPDATE 11/5/14 12:00 PM PT: Action Lab Entertainment, the publisher of Jeremy Dale's series "Skyward," has issued a statement on the creator's passing:
We, the members of Action Lab Entertainment are mourning the passing of one of our own. On Monday, November 3rd, 2014, Jeremy Dale, Creator of SKYWARD passed away. Jeremy was a friendly, energetic and enthusiastic presence to everyone he met. Jeremy was an incredibly talented writer and artist, well liked by the entire comics community, and an example to the spirit of creation and innovation on which Action Lab was founded.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to our fellow Action Lab associate, Co- Director of Marketing Kelly Dale and their family, friends and fans in this time of great sorrow. A campaign to help the Dale family with the medical expenses has been established by Stephanie Cooke on GoFundMe.com http://www.gofundme.com/jeremydale. Artists and contributors interested in helping out be on the look out for information as plans come together.
UPDATE 11/4/14 3:55 PM PT: A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover expenses for Jeremy Dale's wife, Kelly. Contributions have been brisk, with nearly $4,500 raised in an hour. A second campaign, also via GoFundMe, has been created by Bill Willingham's assistant Stephanie Cooke, who has informed CBR that they are in the process of merging to a single campaign.
"Skyward" creator and "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" artist Jeremy Dale passed away Monday at the age of 34, after a hospitalization. News of Dale's passing originated Tuesday afternoon on Facebook in a statement by his wife, Kelly Dale, reprinted in part below.
It is with great difficulty that I share with you this awful news. Late in the evening of November the third, my husband Jeremy Dale passed away. He was hospitalized, and surrounded by his friends. His doctors say he passed without pain or suffering.
Jeremy's passing was sudden, and a shock to everyone. The delay in sharing this sad news was so that we could contact Jeremy's family and close friends. Final arrangements are still being made, and will be shared on Jeremy's Facebook page as details come together.
Jeremy loved you all very much- he appreciated your support and your friendship. Thank you so much for your understanding during this very difficult time.
Dale wrote and drew his creator-owned series "Skyward," published through Action Lab Entertainment since 2013. He also contributed to as an artist to Image Comics' award-winning anthology "Popgun," illustrated "G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero" 25th anniversary comics written by Larry Hama, and "NFL Rush Zone" comics. He lived in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Kelly, and their dog, Kirby. He recently appeared at New York Comic Con 2014.
The staff of CBR sends its condolences and thoughts to Jeremy Dale's friends and family.