Doom Box Art Cover Artist Dies at Age 73

Doom is one of the most influential games in gaming history. While it wasn't the first shooter to take place from a first person perspective, its popularity and wow-factor at the time has made it something of legend.

While many of the artists of today are still household names in the games industry (such as John Carmack, and to some extent, John Romero), there was also the artist behind the instantly recognizable title screen and box art.

Don Ivan Punchatz, who died on October 22, 2009, illustrated for Playboy, National Geographic, Boys Life, Penthouse and did covers for Time and Newsweek. Most of us know him best for his unforgettable box art for Doom, which we can admire once again below.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • omnimodis78
    Rest in peace!
    Reply
  • joebob2000
    Don Ivan Punchatz, who died on October 22, 2009, illustrated for Playboy, National Geographic, Boys Life, Penthouse

    Hmm, which one of these things, is not like the others???
    Reply
  • PodSix
    RIP Don, I only hope your gravestone is as cool. (Pictures a gravestone that looks a lot like the Doom box cover only instead of 'Doom' written in doom font it says 'Don')

    And in my opinion John Romero is a self-idolized douche. RIP to your career asshat.
    Reply
  • PodSix
    joebob2000Hmm, which one of these things, is not like the others???
    National Geographic? :p
    Reply
  • IronRyan21
    joebob2000Hmm, which one of these things, is not like the others???
    Theres lots of nudity in National Geographic tho.
    Reply
  • joebob2000
    podsixNational Geographic?
    Now that you mention it, there were a fair share of titties in Nat'l Geo...
    Reply
  • PodSix
    joebob2000Hmm, which one of these things, is not like the others???
    Somehow I picture the art director of Boy's Life in a situation where he needs to hire an artist and goes "Hmmm, I think I'll call the guy who did the cover to last month's Playboy."
    Reply
  • may his tombstone be covered in his work. and may he rest in piece
    Reply
  • porksmuggler
    njkid3may his tombstone be covered in his work. and may he rest in piece
    were you going for peace, or one piece?
    Reply
  • NightLight
    brings back so many good memories...
    Reply