Harvey Pekar
The above photo is from Cleveland.com, where they are reporting that Harvey Pekar died yesterday in the early morning.
I didn’t know Harvey well, having only met him a couple of times, but he is unforgettable, and his work was very important to me. As Tom Spurgeon at The Comics Reporter points out, Harvey was a crucial figure in the transition from underground comics to the current alt/indie/self-publishing scene that we have today. A generation-spanning group of cartoonists illustrated his unique, slice-of-life/auto-bio comics stories, from R. Crumb to Dean Haspiel. Most of Pekar’s work appeared in his self-published American Splendor comic book. His collected stories also opened doors for graphic novels by major publishers.
His comics grew on me over the years, as I got to know his personality, and as I came to appreciate his approach and dedication to the art form.
Harvey was supportive of other artists, and visited me at the opening of my exhibition back in 2008, and graciously agreed to appear in a documentary that was made about BONE and self-publishing the following year. We Ohio boys stick together.
He was one of a kind.
Harvey at the opening of the BONE exhibit at the Wexner in Columbus
A drawing I made as part of a surprise for Harvey’s 70th birthday last year
Great post Jeff. He was very important to me too. He had a knowledge of jazz music that was beyond a lot of musicians that I know. He wanted to spread the word about that misunderstood four letter word: jazz
I made this with him in mind. Finished a few days before he died.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcwZtodnnUs
(Love BONE btw) Carry on man.
Comment by allen mezquida — July 14, 2010 @ 1:04 am
Thanks, Jeff. I felt like someone punched me in the gut when I heard Harvey died. It’s great to read a tribute to one of my favorite comic book heroes, written by one of my favorite comic book heroes.
Comment by Derek — July 14, 2010 @ 3:22 am
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Pingback by Harvey was Harvey: Remembering Harvey Pekar | Coventry Village – Cleveland Heights, Ohio — July 14, 2010 @ 3:56 am
This is sad news. Although I haven’t read much of his work, I’ll be sure to pick up some of his books. R.I.P. Harvey Pekar.
P.S.- It was really kind of you to take the time and post this, Jeff.
Comment by Evan W.W. (The Lobster) — July 18, 2010 @ 1:16 am
I havent read any of his work, I know a lot of people who really like him. If that’s true, he must be an important part of comics.
Comment by Gunnar Erickson — July 18, 2010 @ 5:35 pm
Harvey, May you rest in eternal comic book peace.
The drawing was a very kind and thoughtful gift from one artist too another
I saw him on No Reservations. He seemed like a nice guy and very talented with words. I don’t know his work personaly but am intrigued and would like to read some of his comics.
I hadn’t known his role in the paving of underground comics. But now I will come to appreciate him as one of it’s fathers. May he be looking over all curent and aspiring comic artists and writers.
God Bless Harvey, as Jeff said you were truely one of a kind.
Comment by Jeanette — July 30, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
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