PHILADELPHIA — The artist whose work brought to life comic book characters from Archie and Jughead to the Incredible Hulk and G.I. Joe, has died. John D’Agostino Sr. was 81.

Publisher Archie Comics says in a statement Tuesday that D’Agostino died Nov. 28 from bone cancer.

Born in Italy in 1929, D’Agostino emigrated to the United States and got his first job as head colorist at New York City’s Timely Comics, the forerunner of Marvel.

In 1965, he was hired away by Archie Comics, where he began a long and enduring career, drawing numerous characters until his death.