Mick McGinty was an artist with unparalleled talent. Back when video games required enticing box art to sell, much like books often require captivating covers, Mick was one of the best around. Mick created artwork for Street Fighter 2, Streets of Rage 2, Streets of Rage 3, Shining Force, Kid Chameleon, and more. However, his talents weren’t even restricted to video game art, as he has a website dedicated to a whole host of other art, including breathtaking scenic landscapes.
Unfortunately, Mick’s son, Jobey McGinty, just shared today that his father has passed away from cancer. We are thankful though that Mick passed away peacefully. His son explains, “Dad left us SO peacefully, slowly taking softer, more gentle breaths, as opposed to the labored, congested breaths he had been taking the last few days. He was surrounded by his family, something that I assured him would happen.”
On Twitter, VGDensetsu has created an entire thread putting some of Mick’s best work on display to celebrate his legend. Some of these featured illustrations also include Traysia, Chicago Syndicate,Sol Feace, Monster Bass, Off World Interceptor Extreme, Battle Cars, and more, which you can check out below:
In Jobey’s post about his dad, he shares details on the kind of artist his dad was, explaining that Mick was a perfectionist who could always find something about his pieces that still needed work. Jobey explains that when his dad would visit and see his own art pieces hanging in Jobey’s house, he’d say, “’y'know, Jobe, I wish I would have made those blues a little deeper,’ or ‘you know I'd love to just splash a little more shadows on that tree,’ or ‘that really needs a fresh coat of varnish on it.’”
Mick’s legacy will live on after everything he has contributed to the game industry, the world of art at large, and as a person in general. He will be forever missed by his adoring fans, friends, and family.