I’m shocked and saddened by the news that my good friend Nikola Acin passed away this last weekend. Nikola was such a great guy, a true, avid enthusiast of art and music. He wrote many wonderful articles on two of his favorite passions, comics and rock’n’roll.

Son of the great filmmaker Jovan Acin (Hey, Babu Riba), Nikola was an energetic soul who dove head first into his enthusiasms. He put himself out there in any way possible so as to be closer to the heart of what he loved.

I had not spoken with Nikola for a couple of years, but any time we did speak or get together, usually at San Diego, it was as if no time had passed at all. We would instantly be laughing and goofing around, slamming each other with put-downs and jokes about our differing national heritages. The best kind of laughter there is, the uncontrollable, can’t breathe, crying, belly-cramping kind of laughter. We could go on for hours!

I was fortunate to be able to visit him several times in Paris, meeting his mother as well. What a warm, sincere and wonderful lady! Nikola was proud of his mother, a true loving son.

He showed me Paris, hitting all the comic shops, the art stores, the sights, the bars! What a time!

And now he’s gone! I can’t believe it. And there’s so little to go on right now. No information on how he died.

I’m rambling because I cannot believe it’s true and my thoughts are incredibly scattered right now. When I’m better able to think I will post much more.

I miss his infectious laughter, and his pure energy and love for comics and music.