Harvey Pekar (1939-2010)
It’s with a sad heart that I read the news yesterday of the passing of Harvey Pekar. When I picked up a bundle of Harvey’s American Splendor comics is a tiny little 2nd hand shop in Cork some 18years ago I never thought that they would lead me on a path to publishing my own comics and to a career as an illustrator. But they did. I found his story telling simple and profound and it really opened my eyes to comics being a medium for personal expression.
I had the great honour and pleasure to meet Harvey a number of years ago in kilkenny at a special screening of the movie version of American Splendor and if you will permit me I’d like to publish a photo of the that moment.
His work had a profound effect on my life and I will always be grateful for that. He is a comics legend, his death a loss to his professional colleagues and most importantly his family and friends. Rest in peace Harvey!
July 13th, 2010 09:14
Agreed. An amazing, seminal person. Sorry to hear he was still suffering from depression even at the end, would have loved to see him happy in his old age.
July 13th, 2010 15:07
Well said Bren. RIP Harvey.
July 13th, 2010 16:07
At that Kilkenny screening I actually saw him early that morning going into the local laundry. Even though he was a guest of honour at the festival and all expenses were being paid for by the films distributors he was still trying to save a buck. I felt like I was in my own private American Splendor story.
July 13th, 2010 16:43
I really loved AMERICAN SPLENDOR and thought that the filmmakers did justice to him and his worldview