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 (Photo by Pete Eisner) eNewsletter No. 16 Author, Will Eisner: A Spirited Life
Reader Tributes Pour In, Part II Will Eisner Links READER TRIBUTES POUR IN, Part II He had quite an influence as far as comics went. In art, there are no original artists. They all rub off on each other. They pick things up from each other. But Eisner contributed his type of dramatics in a folksy way. When you see his books, you see New Yorkıs Lower East Side, the tenements, the way the city was in the 1930s. He left an image of an era that very few people today are aware of. He covered the gamut of what New York City was like. Very few people knew the intimate details of it. But Will lived it. He left his mark. Nick Cardy Artist, Eisner-Iger Studios, DC Comics http://www.nickcardy.com Will Eisner was at the first comic book convention I attended in the mid-to-late eighties. I was already a fan of the Spirit; the Kitchen Sink black and white reprints were readily available, and to me, they were very avant-garde. I remember first seeing him at an "old-timers" panel, along with Julie Schwartz, and they were discussing the good old days like war veterans. Eisner held all of us in the room spellbound as he told anecdote after anecdote about his early experiences. He was a master storyteller, and knew how to clearly and succinctly get his point across, deftly compose his punch line, or sum up an idea or thought in the most economical and effective way. He had us in tears, we were laughing so hard. That was Will Eisner. He was a master storyteller, on paper or in person. I saw him many times since then, and I always brought something for him to sign, or stopped by and briefly chatted with him. He was always gracious, always personable, and he always had something interesting to say about whatever I waved under his nose. I am really sorry he's gone. We are poorer for the loss.Mark Finn I opened my email and read your headline, and prayed that it was just a joke or a publicity stunt. When I realized it was the truth, I burst into tears. Will was a truly great artist and storyteller -- the greatest in comics, as far as I'm concerned -- and a wonderful person. I looked forward to seeing him at every San Diego convention, and my last memory of him was when, during the con, a group of comics people including me, ran into him on the street at night after dinner. Will said, "What are you doing here?" and we all answered, almost as one, "Waiting for you, Will." We've just lost Kelly Freas, too. All the great men of comics have left us. I realize Will was 87, and that nobody lives forever, but I always hoped that Will would. In sorrow, Trina Robbins http://www.trinarobbins.com Author, GoGirl, The Great Women Cartoonists Will Eisner taught me how to read a comic book. Not in the traditional manner, mind you, but in a manner than is hard to describe in just a few words. As a teenager, surrounded by comics and superheroes, I came to realize that there was a lot more to the art form than just superpowers and the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound. I knew that I wanted to create comics; I knew that I wanted to be a part of this incredible art form. Comics, as I saw them, were powerful and evocative but something was always missing. I discovered Will Eisner in college - and I never read a comic book the same way again. His work became the basis of my college studies. There were elements of cinema, noir, and the fantastic wrapped into every single on of his stories. He taught be how a comic book works - the quantum mechanics of sequential art. It was as if somebody had taken the veil off of my eyes and shown me what I was missing all those years reading superhero books. When I started my Master's Degree, I got to bring Will's insights on the medium to a new generation of students and learners. I have come to realize that his works shouldn't just be required reading for art students, but required reading for everybody. After I started working in the field of comics, I had a chance to meet with and interview Will. Nothing I have done professionally has surpassed that moment. He once said that he had an impossible dream to 'conquer the [comic] medium' and I like to think that he came closer than anyone in living up to that impossible dream. Will's stories were timeless and his contribution to the art form cannot be contained in just words and pictures. His passing is profound. I am in his debt. David Gallaher Ad Sales Director VAMPIRELLA MAGAZINE Just a quick note to say I thought this was a beautiful, informative tribute. I did not know Mr. Eisner, but certainly know of his far-reaching influence in the industry. Claudia Smith Director of Advertising & Public Relations King Features Syndicate I am deeply saddened by Will's death, but he had such a long career that he will always be with us. I still can't get over the length and breadth of his work. I am in Toastmasters, a public speaking organization. We use Robert's Rules of Order to run our business meetings. Imagine my surprise and delight when I chanced upon a book of parliamentary procedure that had dozens of illustrations by none other than Will! I was able to combine my love of comics and my keen interest in public speaking with this one book, which I daresay most Eisner fans know nothing about, but which contains interesting work nonetheless. Bev D. Keddy Halifax I never personally met Mr. Eisner, but I am a huge admirer of his work. Every year I anxiously await the Eisner Award nominees to take a peek at what new and aspiring artists are bringing to this beloved medium. If Mr. Eisner's name is attached, it MOST definitely deserves everyone's attention! He will be sorely missed by comic fans all over the world...especially this one! My sincerest sympathies to his family and friends! Michael J. Thompson 3rd Grade Teacher Beck Elementary School Elkhart, IN I met Will Eisner first in Glasgow about 17 years ago, he was advising me on getting my first book published 'The Spiral Cage'. He joked that most creators end their careers with an Autobiography, and I had the nerve to start my career with one! he added that it had taken him 40 years to work up the nerve to start writing autobiographical material. Will spent a lot of time encouraging me at that convention in Glasgow, even producing letters of recommendation to various editors. His wife Ann was equally encouraging and they both treated me like a member of the family the whole weekend. I didn't meet him again till I was in San Diego 3 years ago, he remembered me, and recalled our conversations in detail, even the name of the book! What a memory. When 'The Spiral Cage' was re-published by Active Image recently, Will didn't hesitate to to provide a quote for the back cover. and again spoke enthusiastically about our first meeting. A great man. I feel like I have lost a close friend and mentor. The quote below by Goethe, for me, sums up Will's philosophy. 'Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now'. Al Davison Author/Artist of The Spiral Cage I don't mean to say that I even approach the loss that someone who actually knew the man is feeling, but I have to say that I did feel the wind literally rush out of my sails this morning when I read the news. I'm a 41-year old kid who never lost his love of the form of communications we call comics. Or, as the master called it, "Sequential Art." I'm a graphic designer by trade, but in my belly crouches the frustrated cartoonist that has been biding his time since grade school. I hope to someday get off my butt and produce something that I can be proud of and, if I do, it will be in the method of Mr. Eisner: graphic novels. Stories told honestly and from the heart about subjects that only I could tackle. Personal visions rendered in pictures and prose thathopefullywill move someone to actually FEEL something, or God willing, THINK. If the greatest of modern comic creators are like the Olympian pantheon, then Mr. Eisner and his contemporaries were the Titans of myth that preceded them. And, sadly, one by one, they are taking their rightful place among the constellations. I devote some of my time to MoCCA, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, here in NYC. And just last night I was at a meeting discussing upcoming editions of our newsletter, the MoCCAzine. We were planning an Eisner issue and I can't tell you how much I was looking forward to meeting him in just a few short months. Sadly, that is not to be. Will Eisner was, and continues to be, a boundless source of inspiration to all of us. My prayers go out to Mr. Eisner's family and friends. Their loss far exceeds those of us who are simply "fans." One piece of advice I will pass on to all who care to listen: if something is important to you, don't put it off. If it's not, then you should reconsider doing it in the first place. Life is too short to waste on things that don't matter. God Bless you, Mr. Eisner. I hear Michelangelo needs help with a ceiling up there; give him a hand, will you? John McCarthy Art Director Grant's Financial Publishing New York NY www.grantspub.com I just got home from work and received this very sad news in the form of numerous emails. Mr. Eisner was far more than just another great comic artist; we all know that. He virtually defined the comic book form. He was among the first to realize the artistic possibilities of this medium. He was a teacher and a director. And, in my opinion, the greatest storyteller. I was fortunate to have met Mr. Eisner on several occasions. Each time, he was gracious and patient and amazingly, humble. Truly a great man. Rarely does the news of a noted person's death affect me emotionally. This one does. Rest in peace, Mr. Eisner. Ken Quattro http://www.comicartville.com/rareeisner.htm Will Eisner was "the Man" in our world. I had been trying to talk him into appearing as a speaker at the Cartoon Art Museum, and in my "pitch" I informed that the following people had appeared at the museum and shortly after were the recipients of these awards: Patrick McDonnell -- Reuben Award Ben Katchor -- MacArthur "Genius" Grant Michael Chabon -- Pulitzer Prize Without missing a beat Will replied "I guess I better get over there, I hear I'm up for that Nobel thing." Great wit, great writer, great educator, and of course he was non pareil in our world of comics. Rod Gilchrist Cartoon Art Museum San Francisco I am very sorry for your loss. I liked Will a great deal. He always answered any silly question I asked him Jen Pulse Just a quick story probably very similar to thousands of others youıve received on the passing of Mr. Eisner. I met Will this past June at Peter Dixonıs Toronto Comicon, where Will was the guest of honour. Similar to everyone in attendance, I was very anxious to meet a living legend and hoped to share some conversation with the man himself after braving the long lineup that surrounded him all week-end. When I thanked him for coming to Toronto, he said ³Well, I havenıt been here in 40 years, so I thought it was good time to get back before people here forgot about me.² When I made a joke that it was a good thing to get your name out there, he said (with what I can only describe as a Disney-type glint in his eye) ³Well, an up-and-coming young cartoonist like myself needs to get people talking about my work.² Then he winked, smiled, and I walked away thinking how grand it was that genius could occur in someone so genuine. It wasnıt much, and it was only a few minutes, but it gave me a great appreciation of a man who Iıd only known through his artistic brilliance; to watch him interact with people of all cultures and backgrounds, from the guy in the tie to the woman with 15 piercings, was a real sight to behold. He thanked everyone for buying his work, heıd swap quips with Dave Sim beside him from time to time, and had a kind word for everyone of every age; he made it seem as though you were doing him a favour by taking the time to talk to him. He provided the impression that if you could live, really live, half as much as he had, youıd have done well for yourself. Thanks for listening very sorry for your loss. Murray Roach CGI Group Inc. East, Toronto, ON Dear Mrs. Eisner, Sorry for your loss and ours. Here's what I remembered most about Mr. Eisner: I first met him at Comic Con '89, I had all my SPIRIT (WARREN) magazines and my SPIRIT CASEBOOK #1 with me. Mr. Eisner signed all of them. It was a GREAT day for me. Mr. Eisner was MY first signature @ a COMIC CON. Every year, when I would see him before signing my books. I would always tell him how thankful I was for the signing. Always GREAT to see him. Last year I was late in getting his signature, but I saw him. God bless you and your family. We will surely miss HIM! Jim Raya I just heard the news about Willıs passing and I must say that I am deeply saddened. I wish I could say more but I am just sad. Tom Monarch Lexington, Kentucky Will Eisner was one of my oldest friends in comics. He used to play tennis in Westchester with my Uncle Freddy Preiss. Will was always friendly, always willing to offer advice and direction. He was gentleman. We met at his office on Park Avenue South while he was producing PS Magazine in the seventies. He had no reason to agree to meet with me, but was open and nice. Thereafter, my friend and publisher Norman Goldfind began working with Will on some nonfiction books and Will brought him "Contract". I was impressed. It was a serious, adult comics work in long-form. I had been struggling with my own "Fiction Illustrated" series of long - form comics at Norman's old company "Pyramid Books " and was in the middle of packaging THE ILLUSTRATED ROGER ZELAZNY for Norman's new company, Baronet, in 1978. Will, like many pros, was active in the first modern comics professional organization ACBA and brought the same enthusiasm to it as he did to his work, which inspired everybody who ever aspired to a career in comics. This summer I watched him stand during long stretches at the Eisner Awards and inside I was yelling, ³Give that man a chair!². Secretly, however, I knew Will had it in him to do all that standing. We had lunch together earlier in the con and he bounded around the Marriot like a teenager, with a teenagerıs enthusiasm for his next work. I thought if anybody in comics would live to be one hundred , it would be Will. He was the best, and always will be. Our sympathies go out to Ann Eisner, Denis Kitchen, his long time agent and publisher, and the entire world of comics. I will miss his mahogany voice on the other side of the phone. Byron Preiss My condolences to you. I just read your obituary for Mr. Eisner and thought I would send my memories of meeting him. I got to meet Will Eisner twice and both times he was incredibly encouraging and enthusiastic about comics. The first time was in 92 (I believe) in Miami with Dave Sim. Will was very kind and I got to spend some time showing him some of my artwork and talking to him about brushes (he recommended a Winsor Newton series 7, size 3 for my hand, I believe). His enthusiasm for elevating comics was infectious. I sent him one of my early minicomics, like 14 years ago, and he was gracious enough to send me a kind letter, which I still have, of course. What a great storyteller, what a great and generous man he was...His books are on my shelf and Iıll always treasure them. Greg Vondruska Tampa, FL http://www.gregvondruska.com/ I didn't know Will Eisner very well. We interviewed him for TRIPWIRE, the magazine that I used to edit and put together, and he was kind enough to give us a brand new Spirit image especially for TRIPWIREx10, the book that celebrated the tenth anniversary of the magazine. But the few times I dealt with him I found him to be charming, intelligent and with a genuine passion for comics and the form. He was comic books' greatest amabassador to the outside world and he will be missed. Joel Meadows Writer/editor Mill Hill, London, UK I loved Will Eisner and am pleased to say I met him and talked with him once in NYC. I was shocked and saddened at his passing, He was supposed to live forever. He will. John Wayne Peel artist/entertainer Lynn, Massachusetts When I first read the bad news about Will, my reaction was to sit, literally slack-jawed, staring at my iMac monitor. Will Eisner always struck me as being amazingly healthy for a man of his age, with the highest level of vitality I've ever witnessed for a guy in his eighties. Will, an avid tennis player, seemed much healthier than his contemporaries and even those of my generation (and certainly myself). capable of whupping a grizzly bear without working up a sweat. Even though (thanks to Mark Evanier's blog) I was well-aware of his quadruple bypass surgery, my initial thought was concern, then "Aw, Will will be good as new in a few months." I didn't know Will Eisner well, but I consider us to have been friends; I think he did too. Like most of my generation, my first exposure to Will's comics were Jules Feiffer's THE GREAT COMIC BOOK SUPERHEROES and those two giant-size, mostly reprint volumes of THE SPIRIT published by Harvey Comics in 1966 and 1967. They completely blew my 15-year-old mind. I'd never seen comics like these, combining aspects of drama and comedy in an extremely appealing concoction. My first impression was that THE SPIRIT was what Al Capp might have done if he'd become an adventure comics cartoonist instead of the creator of LI'L ABNER. (Except, of course, that Will's results were even better!) I recall shoving these "Harvey Thrillers" under my comic fan-friends' noses, whereupon they became instant converts. (Due to reading the comics, not sniffing 'em.) A few years passed, and I became increasingly familiar with Will Eisner's work, through exposure to the occasional SPIRIT reprint. Then, in the early 1970s, a friend of mine, a hippie named Dave Gibson, somehow acquired the permission of Will to publish black-and-white reprints of the original SPIRIT newspaper sections, in chronological from the very start, sold ten at a time -- packaged in plastic bags, like some sort of dimestore novelty! These "Spirit bags" (leave it to a hippie to vend mind-altering material in plastic baggies!) were a great way to see how young Will developed the character of the Spirit by leaps and bounds. Alas, poor Dave was ahead-of-his-time but not particularly competent, and soon, he began to fall behind in publishing and marketing his Spirit bags. I think Dave never got past printing the first fifty SPIRIT stories. At one of the early San Diego Comic-Cons, I was sitting in a booth in the El Cortez's tiny restaurant, having breakfast with Dave Gibson until his meeting with Will Eisner. When Will showed up, it was apparent that he wasn't happy, and I moved to another table nearby. I then became an audience of one while covertly observing Will Eisner quietly but emphatically "rip Dave a new a-hole" regarding his bungling of their publishing deal. And that was the end of the Spirit bags. But in retrospect, I think it says a lot about Will that he was willing to dip his toe back into the waters of comicdom with an unorthodox and countercultural fella like Dave Gibson (whose eccentricities could provide the basis for a looong article in itself) who was at least half Will's age. Note that about a year later, Will began a long relationship with underground comix publisher Denis Kitchen, a cartoonist with better business sense than Dave. Years passed, and I went from fan to underground cartoonist to mainstream funnybook creator, and during that time, Will Eisner's work, both old and new, became more readily available to the public. I eagerly read and studied every one of 'em. Whether a SPIRIT reprint, an oil-stained issue of P.S. magazine or a new graphic novel (THE DREAMER remains my favorite), Will never let us down. One day, Jackie Estrada called me and asked if I would like to host the San Diego Comic-Con's Inkpot Awards, immediately preceding the new Eisner Awards ceremony. Sure, why not? And so, I began to find myself sharing the stage with Will Eisner on an annual basis. What an honor and pleasure. Not only was Will one of comic's inspirational pillars of creativity, he was a well-spoken gent, a tough businessman and a nice guy. These events lent me enough credibility that I could gather the confidence to occasionally hold a conversation with Will, who really loved to talk shop. I often mentioned that, while some cartoonists hit a certain point in their development where they're merely repeating their stylistic tropes, Will seemed to constantly be improving on his storytelling, using his years of observing human gesture and body language to subtle but powerful effect. Sure, his draftsmanship wasn't as crisp as it once was, but he was no longer used art assistants, and had adjusted to working in a looser, but equally appealing style. Will was often referred to as "the Orson Welles of comic books", but unlike Mr. Welles, he didn't peak early in his career. Will just got better and better and better... One of the biggest -- and very nicest -- surprises of my life was the time that I was crossing the lobby of the San Diego Convention Center, where I was flagged down by none other than Will Eisner. As always, I was delighted to see Will (and as usual, was a bit thrilled that he even recognized me). He wanted to tell me that he'd read a recent interview/article with/about me in Maggie Thompson's COMIC BUYERS GUIDE...and that, since he'd always wondered what it was that I actually "did" as a cartoonist -- he was impressed! (And this was decades after I had done the single most garish coloring job ever printed over Will's artwork on an early Comic-Con program book cover.) Of course, I was tremendously flattered by Will's kind remarks -- but I was even more struck by the fact that the great Will Eisner still found the time and interest to peruse a weekly comic book fanzine! Will Eisner was an all-around class act, and we are all very lucky to have had him for so long -- producing top-notch material right up to the very end. Y'know, I think that practically every cartoonist would like to go out on a high note that way. As usual, Will Eisner got it just right. Aloha, Will. Scott! Shaw http://www.shawcartoons.com P.S.: Our son Kirby couldn't understand why I was so upset about the death of "Eisner, the man who no one likes" until he realized that I was talking about Will Eisner, not MICHAEL Eisner! -- SS! This is heartbreaking. It's not like it's completely unexpected, but at the same time, it feels like a strike out of nowhere. Eisner had become what he had created over the years. A legend that seems like it has no end. Because of that, there was a great bolting shock when I read a few minutes ago that he died. The fact that he was still working up to this last year in so damn, incredibly impressive. In 2000, I met Will Eisner at the San Diego Con. Well, I wouldn't say met as much as admired in passing. I remember waiting in line with "A Contract with God" for him to sign. When I reached him, I mentioned how I loved the book and had thought about approaching "The Street Singer," a story within "Contract," as a screenplay. It's a brilliant story of a down-on-his-luck man in the early part of the 1900's who sang in on street corner and in alleys for money along with the ups and downs his life takes during a short time. Eisner smiled, looked up at me, and said he'd prefer I not do that. Then, he said something along the lines of, "It already is what it is." After that, he signed my book to me and handed it over. I walked away thinking that I just insulted one of the greatest legends of the comic industry. Soon, I realised that I probably didn't insult him. That smile showed that he had most likely been asked that, or things similar, numerous times. It was a refreshingly humbling moment that said more to me than those few words spoken. He'll be missed, but his work and life won't ever be forgotten. RIP, Will Eisner. You deserve it. Justin Davis I met Will several years ago while I was doing Comic conventions.. He like several from that time period.. Stan Lee, Archie Goodwin, Sam Grainger, and several others are/were just top quality individuals. I have lost family members to cancer as well and was very happy to see that you put a donation as opposed to flowers etc in honor of his daughter.. or to the comic legal defense fund.. Of these options I think the one most appropriate is the cancer funds.. as it would have been closer to his heart. Wonderful article, and I hope you dont mind us posting it for others to read. JT Leatherwood http://www.liveatleatherwoods.com What a tremendous loss for the world. Will was one of a kind. There will never be anyone better. I say that not only because of his artistic mastery, but because of his kindness to all of us who looked up to him, sought to emulate him, sought to somehow make it in this business. Will was not alone in this type of kindness. All the cartoonists of his generation were like that. Milton Caniff,John Cullen Murphy, Dik Browne, Gill Fox, Klaus Nordling.....These are just a few of the people who were incredibly kind to me as I was coming up in this business. That WWII generation were just incredible. Perhaps it was the brotherhood of men formed in tragedy and battle that made them that way. But I can tell you, you and I will never see their likes again. They were incredibly hard working, totally professional, yet open and giving to all who knocked on the door. They gave. That's why I'm who I am today. I got to know a lot about Will Eisner before I really go! t to know him, thanks to Gill Fox and Klaus Nordling , both of whom worked for me in the eighties, long after assisting Will. Klaus worked for Will longer than anyone, so he had the most and best stories. Gill worked a lot on that year or so run of Spirit dailies. Both adored and of course revered their old boss. Both were incredibly giving of their time, talent, and kindness... just like their old boss. If I have any of those traits of the heart, it's because of their training program for the kid cartoon-boy way back when. I'll never forget the first time I met Will Eisner. It was at a Phil Seuling ComicCon at the Commodore Hotel in 1972. I was 14. He talked to ME! He really TALKED to me! He signed some of his work I had bought earlier, looked at a couple pieces of my crummy stuff, basically poor amateur ripoffs of HIS WORK, and complimented me. Actually took the time, at a con where he was always mobbed, to talk to and personally inspire a 14 yr. old kid.! I never forgot that. I always try to do the same thing. Treat all kids and fans the same way Will treated me. Much later, after I had made it, I became friends with Will, appearing on the same panels, National Cartoonist Society functions, etc. Still and always in awe, but now...as peers , brothers of the Higgins right forearm tattoo.... I feel so blessed by God to have those memories. I feel like the best way we can, as cartoonists and writers, remember Will, is not to just try and emulate him artistically, but, moreso, emulate his kindness, work ethic, and...no pun intended, his SPIRIT. God bless you Will. God bless his family, and his family of friends and collegues. May God comfort us all as Will goes home... to that little corner of Heaven that looks like Dropsie Avenue. Guy Gilchrist http://www.yourangelsspeak.com I never met Will Eisner. In fact, i'm not even a sequential artist. I'm an animator that attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah Georgia. I just wanted to send this note to give my condolences for this great loss to the art world, and that we owe him a great debt for what he has done for our industry, our childhoods, and our lives. Lamont Wayne We were so very sorry to hear the news about Will Eisner. A great loss for American culture. I just sent an email to our artists the other day and thought to myself how amazing it was that Will Eisner was on that list. Kevin Mutch Director PODpublishing at Sumo New York, NY http://www.podpublishing.com/ What sad news. Will Eisner was such a dynamic individual it's hard to imagine him not going on forever. Fortunately his art will. Until the early/mid 1990s I had had no interest in Eisner's work. I'd heard of him, and heard of The Spirit but that was about it. I think I had bought one of his graphic novels (The Dreamer?) in the mid 80s and while I liked the story I didn't grok what Eisner was doing visually. In the early/mid 90s, I was preparing to start work on some storyboards for some project or other (one that never came to fruition, alas) but had not done any professional art for some time. (I'm primarily a writer but I think visually and very much enjoy those rare opportunities when I get to use my artistic skills, meager as they are.) So I figured I'd better study some good visual storytelling and headed for a local comic book shop. Looking around I came across Eisner's book on sequential art. Flipping through the book I saw that there were a couple of pages on storyboarding, so I bought the book. And was blown away at how brilliant this guy was! Eisner's knowledge of visual storytelling was astounding. Now I groked it! So I started buying everything Eisner. Back and current issues of Kitchen Sink's reprints of The Spirit, the old Warren Spirit magazines, more Eisner graphic novels. And only a few months after that, a mutual friend introduced me to Eisner when Eisner was in Los Angeles on business. He'd noticed my sudden interest in Eisner's work; we'd never talked about Eisner though we had talked about comics in general. Eisner was in town for a number of things including a comic book convention and an appearance at Golden Apple Comics along with Mark Shultz. (I believe Shultz was in town for something to do with the Cadillacs and Dinosaurs TV show, something like that.) There was a Q&A with Eisner and Shultz at some place down the street from Golden Apple (a restaurant, I think), and the Q&A session was recorded for some documentary or other. I really enjoyed meeting and talking with Eisner. He was a great guy. Will "Taliesin" Jarvis Writer/Creator of Erin Starfox http://www.erinstarfox.com Editor, First Tribe Books http://www.firsttribebooks.com Van Nuys, CA Just wanted to pass on the Obit we did, which also links to numerous comments/remembrances of Will. He was a good friend to us over very many years, to say nothing of what he did for the industry of which we're a part. http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/6210.html Regards, Milton Milton Griepp GCO, LLC ICv2.com Madison, WI I was deeply saddened to learn of Will Eisner's death. My art school days were filled with many great memories of The Master. I so desperately wanted to be a cartoonist! I took Will's classes for two years straight then one year as independent study - and loved every minute of it. There was so much to learn and Will was so eager to help all the young, aspiring cartoonists. He was just brilliant. My writing skills were good, but, damn it, I couldn't ink. I worked hard in his classes and Will always gave me an "A," (obviously for "effort"). One day in my last year at SVA, he saw one of my watercolor illustrations, (from another class), and his face lit up. "Ah, ...children's books," he said with a smile. And he was right. I'm now a children's book author and illustrator, and it's the best career I could ever have. Although cartoons will always be my first love, I had a great teacher who pointed me in the right direction. To Will's family, my deepest condolences, your husband and father made a difference in so many people's lives. He will be deeply missed. Sincerely, Lisa Passen I read your article on Will Eisner. Like you, I am stunned and saddened by this great artist's (I don't use that word lightly) passing. If there were justice in the world, we would have seen Will as the recipient of a Kennedy Center Honors award for elevating what is one of America's few purely native art forms. I had a brief career in comics (writing for DC). Will had a long one. But no one inspired me with more awe of or love for the medium than Will. His work on The Spirit delivered more innovation and more punch per page than any other comics art before or since. I hope Mrs. Eisner takes comfort in the fact that her husband has left an undying legacy and will be missed by millions. Greg Potter (Former freelance writer for Warren Publishing and DC Comics) Thanks for the article about Will Eisner. I wish I met him. I never would have learned the comic business if not for him creating PS Magazine -- which is where I learned all about creating comic book art. He was truly a giant of the industry, and will be missed. In addition, it occurred to me there is much more for me to be thankful to Will for than simply learning the skills of creating comic book art. PS Magazine has been in steady publication since the 1950's. Some politicians have attempted to kill the book, arguing that the government should not be wasting tax dollars producing a "comic book." The argument never held, because the Army has always been able to prove that the information communicated by PS Magazine has saved the taxpayer literally millions upon millions of dollars -- a result of the equipment being so well maintained. Not to mention the innumerable lives that have been saved by having equipment that works when it is most needed. A fact that especially hits home in light of the thousands of soldiers in harms way, and who's lives depend on their equipment at this very moment. Who knows how long into the future PS Magazine will continue to play this vital role? As a veteran, and one who has benefited directly from his innovative genius, this one single creation from Will Eisner is more than enough for me to be thankful. I truly wish I had met him. I am grateful to him more than he would ever know, and he will be missed. Kevin Dzuban Visual Design http://www.kdzuban.com I was privileged enough to have worked a summer at Warren Publishing many years ago upon graduation from art school. What a treat to see and learn what production was involved in putting together a comic magazine. It was a wonderful time working over the original art we read and loved as fans. At that time, Warren was also publishing The Spirit Magazine. I remember being up there when a package from Will arrived. Bill Dubay, Rick Bryant (at that time also on staff), the art director and I all gathered round while the package was opened. It was a fully painted cover for the next issue and it was gorgeous! I remember the comments about it being a shame to have to place cover copy over the printed piece (which, in no way, did the original justice, byu the way). I felt a special affinity to Will when Bill Dubay took my suggestion about copy placement and even used a blurb I wrote! Years later, while at the end of a San Diego con, I met Will at the San Diego airport. I was with my editor, Kay Reynolds (from Donning), who graciously introduced us. I was mesmerized when Will shared some of his philosophy on lettering. I later incorporated some of his suggestions into the work I was doing while under contract with DC Comics. Sadly, Will has now passed to what could only be a beyond that will feel as honored to have a legend as we are to have read his work and been entertained by his brilliance all these years. Bob Pinaha New Jersey (Former letterer for DC Comics) Very sorry to hear about Will Eisner...I did not know how to respond...loss of words...what to say?... Maybe just this... He is The Man. Jerry Grandenetti Artist (Jerry worked with Will on ³The Spirit²) If youıd like to subscribe to Will Eisner: A Spirited Life eNewsletter, send an e-mail to subscribe@aspiritedlife.com |