Legendary illustrator Harry Lampert, known primarily for creating The Flash, passed away last Saturday, from a long battle with cancer. He was 88.

Lampert began his drawing career at 16, working on such characters as Popeye, Betty Boop, and other Fleischeir Studios favourites. Six years later, in 1939, comic-book readers got their first look at a man then-named Jay Garrick, AKA The Flash, co-created with Gardner Fox. The character was an early hit for DC comics, whose main hero Superman was only 2 years old.

'He based it on the character in mythology (Hermes) ... the wings on his feet,' revealed his daughter Karen. 'He had no idea how big it would be.'

Althoug most of his life was spent as cartoonist, the man was also a revered bridge player, eventually writing several books on the subject and becoming head of the American Bridge Teachers Association during, his retirement years.

Wife Adele, daughter Karen, and two grandsons survive him. Generations of grateful fans will remember him and his work.