Famed comic book artist Darwyn Cooke, best known for his work at DC Comics, died today after a battle with cancer, his family confirmed via a statement on his official Web site. He was 53.

Cooke’s wife Marsha revealed yesterday that the Canadian artist had been battling an “aggressive” form of cancer, and was receiving palliative care.

The Eisner Award-winning cartoonist began publishing his work in 1985, and worked in Canada for 15 years as a graphic and product designer as well as magazine art director before landing a job in the early 1990s at Warner Bros. Animation under animator Bruce Timm. At WB, he worked as a storyboard artist for the hit animated TV show Batman: The Animated Series as well as on Superman: The Animated Series, and also animated the main titles for Batman Beyond.