"The hardest thing in the world to do...is take a blow you can see coming."

So, comic artist Michael Turner passed away early this morning after a lengthy battle with chondrosarcoma. I've known for a few hours, but it seemed the rest of the internet hadn't been informed, and I didn't want to be the a-hole to break such a delicate topic on some vanity project blog. That said, I think this is the first comic death that truly hits home for me. Typically, we get news of the passing of the pioneers, the Old Guard - people who were the architects of the medium, yet who haven't been treated as kindly in their later years. Still, these people were revered for their history, and respected by fans until the end. I didn't know those creators from the beginning, and watched from the sidelines with awe.

Michael was different, though, as I watched his career from the ground. Starting around the same time that I really gave myself over to comics, I've been there from the beginning of his career to, sadly, the untimely end. As far as respect from his peers, Michael, however, has always had a different road to hoe. He's a pioneer in his own right. While he may have started as a student of "the Top Cow style", he's one of the first of that wave to break free from the stable and set up his own studio. Despite the sickness, he was still the go-to variant cover guy for BOTH Marvel and DC over the past 3 years, as well as working to get Aspen Studios back on the map.

I think Michael will be remembered most for his work ethic, as well as for his intense battle with cancer. I say "battle" and I mean it. The man had so many ups-and-downs, but it never stopped him as long as he had a say in the matter. Some might say that he was more prolific over the past few years than earlier in his career. Even after all of that, I'm still surprised by the amount of fanboys and professionals who used the topic of Mike's illness to offer their not entirely positive, or necessary, two cents about him. I worked in comics for almost 2 years, and I can't count how many times at cons I would hear something like, "Did you hear about Mike? It seems he's had a relapse. Never really been a fan of his work, ya know, but he's just such a great guy." I mean, really...was that middle part even necessary?

Now, this morning, we're getting posts like,

"Could never stand his work, so much so that I even commited [sic] a personal sin numerous times by buying the more expensive variant covers just to avoid the cheaper regular version that he did.
But that doesn't mean I ever wished him ill.
Condolences to his family, friends and fans."

Everyone deals with death in their own way, but I can't begin to tell you how much this did, and still does, bother me. Sure, I could take the whole "If you can't say anything nice,..." approach, but Lord knows I've never followed that to a tee on this site. That said, I guess it bothers me how these people have always made it about themselves. It's been almost like they were dying to find a way to work in that slight. And now, today, it seems that nothing has changed. The only thing that has changed is that the world has lost a talented workhorse, who (while I tend to shy away from throwing this around) courageously fought his illness.

I only hope that the same basement critics will, in time, find a way to truly understand the man and his work. I'm not even saying they have to like it, but they need to appreciate the ethic, appreciate the dedication, and appreciate the man. They may not realize it now, but the world of comics won't be the same after today. This isn't one of those "He meant a lot to me, and I'll miss him" posts. He meant a lot to all of us, just some don't realize it yet. We'll all miss him, and the medium is better, in many ways, for having the benefit of his contributions.

Posted by William @ 6/28/2008 11:18:00 AM
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"Good job, Tila. So you can deep throat a pickle. Then again, you probably have 3 mouths, coming from the planet Orbitron or wherever..."

Kinda scatterbrained right now, so no real cohesive thoughts. Just a bunch of random stuff I need to get out:

Dear Management of Union Jacks:
When did you convert your bar into a weekly Bat Mitzvah? I'm not complaining, as I'm kinda going through a Semitic phase right now. I just wish I'd known, as I could've brought a gift or something....

- I wonder how The Turtles feel, knowing there's an entire generation that only knows their seminal hit as "The Golden Grahams Song".

- I've got a friend who's dabbling in dating sites, and he's been keeping me abreast of the things he's encountered. Apparently, there are a lot of fat women on there who state, outright, that they're not interested in Black guys. Really? But that's your biggest demographic! That's like if I had a rice sale, but said "No Asians"...

-Speaking of "fat", has anyone seen Kimora lately? She's getting those front neck rolls, like Florida Evans on Good Times.

-Am I the only one who thinks the chick in the Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos commercial looks like a Ferengi?

-I just saw a 7-year-old wearing an Apple Bottoms t-shirt. First of all, how do I know she was 7? She told me - kids in a toy store tend to be quite talkative. Now, first, I was thinking it was pretty fucked up for Nelly to make an Apple Bottoms KiDs! line. Maybe he should've been on trial instead of R. Kelly. After some web research, though, I find there is no such clothing line. So, this unfortunate wardrobe choice was the result of some real shitty parenting on someone's part.

-Speaking of R. Kelly, it's amazing how many people on the street were transformed into top gun legal analysts as a result of that trial. From the nightclub to the check-cashing/carryout joint, everyone was spouting phrases like "habeus corpus" and "circumstantial evidence". It was incredible! People who've never given a shit about anything judicial in their lives - we're talking about people who didn't even go to their own daddies' trials! I was mega surprised when Jeff took an intense interest in it. Shit, I wouldn't be surprised if he told me he'd signed up for the LSAT!

-Lately, I've come to realize the concept of "stealing a kiss" is nowhere near as cute and romantic as people like to believe. In fact, it's pretty sad...

-The Average American Male has the most depressing ending I've read in years. And I think every man should read it.

-I want to kick Dawson McAllister in the balls. If you're unfamiliar with the man, he runs a pseudo-Christian radio call-in show for teens (HOT 99.5, after midnight, locally). Think of Frasier Crane's radio show, but instead hosted by his dad - his crotchety, old retired cop of a dad. This guy is SO out of touch with his audience that I have no idea how he's been doing this since '91. The shit that comes out of his mouth... One girl called up, and was telling him how much she loved her boyfriend, but she was scared of getting hurt. Dawson replied, "Yeah, there's no condom for the heart, huh?" Really?!

Then, his million dollar answer to every question is the "wait a year" response. Your dad hates your Black boyfriend? Here's Dawson's response: "You see, this is about respect. You love your dad, but you love your boyfriend. I say you go to your dad, and say, 'Dad, I love and respect you. I'll wait a year, and not see Tyquan, out of respect for you. However, in a year, I hope you'll have thought it over, and will feel differently.'" Wanna go to Iraq and fight for your country, yet your parents don't condone it? Here's the Dawson response: "You see, this is about respect..." Yup, he tells him to wait a year. That's when he even has a response. Half the time, he responds, "Man, I don't know what to tell ya" or "What do you want from me?" How about some advice, asshole! And don't get me started on his insensitive playlist. It's the only place where you can hear a 15-year-old cry over her unwanted pregnancy, followed up by "Buttons" by the Pussycat Dolls...

-And now, for the part of the post that probably only Marcus and Jeff will understand: When it comes to relationships, I think I'm ready for my title shot. I've jobbed my entire life. I jobbed with Barry Horowitz. I jobbed with Al Snow. I even jobbed with "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. I think I've paid my dues, though. I deserve my title shot. It's my time to step into the ring with Triple H. It doesn't mean I'll win. Hell, I don't expect to win, but I've earned my shot. I'm not even talking about a title shot at Wrestlemania or even The Royal Rumble. Shit, I'll take No Way Out or even Backlash. When it's all said and done, though, I don't want to be a jobber anymore. I want my title shot, and that's the bottom line....

And with that, folks, I leave you. Hopefully, the next post will make more sense to the casual visitor!

Posted by William @ 6/16/2008 11:06:00 PM
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