 The search for a well-known comic artist from Weymouth who disappeared Thursday while snorkeling in the Cayman Islands is now being called a recovery mission, though authorities said his body would likely not be found. Police have called off the search for Norman Lee, a 47-year-old artist who worked for Marvel Comics on blockbuster titles such as “X-Men” and the “Avengers.” 
 
 Lee and his wife were snorkeling on Thursday about 250 yards off the eastern coast of Grand Cayman when they were separated in the water, authorities said. (Published Saturday, March 7, 2015) 
 
 A Massachusetts man and noted comic book artist went missing while snorkeling with his wife in the Cayman Islands during a vacation. "The currents in that area are strong and it is unlikely that we will make any recovery at this stage," Chief Inspector Brad Ebanks said. "He's contributed quite a bit," said Jake Johnston, who works at The Hall of Comics in Southborough. "I didn't sleep much last night at all," said Lee's longtime friend, Bob Shaw. Lee's Facebook page was filled with dozens of message from friends, and fans hoping for his return and noting that he is a strong athlete.
– A comic book artist who has worked on the likes of X-Men and the Avengers has gone missing in the Cayman Islands after swimming near Grand Cayman's east coast. While snorkeling about 250 yards from shore on Thursday morning, Norman Lee and his wife got separated, MyFoxBoston reports. Though his wife made it back to shore, Lee did not. Crews launched a search that has been fruitless, MyFoxBoston notes, and WMUR reports that it's now considered a rescue mission—even as officials doubt they'll find Lee's body. "The currents in that area are strong, and it is unlikely that we will make any recovery at this stage," an official tells WMUR. Lee, 47, has worked at both Marvel and DC comics and has established a strong reputation in the industry, MyFoxBoston reports. He began at Marvel some 20 years ago, contributing to the character Wolverine, the New York Daily News reports. His main job has been as an inker, NECN reports; that means he finalizes the lines that create the characters, the Daily News notes. "He's worked on some of the best stuff in the country, on some of the best artists," a friend tells NECN, which notes that his work can be found at many comic stores. Despite authorities' bleak outlook, a friend is still hopeful, he tells WMUR. "He's a very strong man. If anyone can survive it, it's Norman. So I hold out hope at the moment." (Last year was a big one for Marvel, including the introduction of a female Thor.)