Yesterday was not a good day. Sprained my wrist while exercising. Not my drawing hand. But it still hurts even when I’m not moving it around. Should have taken that as an omen and just gone back to bed.

Yesterday afternoon, word quickly spread throughout the comics industry that retail pioneer, Rory Root, passed away yesterday due to complications during surgery. For those of you who hadn’t met Rory or have not had a chance to visit his wonderful comic bookstore in Berkeley, I’ll let Tom Spurgeon fill you in on his life and accomplishments. Tom has also put together a list of links to stories, eyewitness accounts, and resources concerning Rory and his contributions to the industry.

In terms of my career, Rory was on board from the very beginning. He was the very first retailer to carry The Homeless Channel mini-comics. In fact, he was full of advice and encouragement even before I had printed off the first chapter and put money down on a table at APE. More recently, he encouraged other retailers across the nation to give The Homeless Channel graphic novel a chance on the CBIA forum and was always quick with a handshake and a kind word at the many conventions I’ve attended over the last several years.

My most vivid memories of Rory, however, aren’t from the convention floor. Instead, I’m pretty sure I’ll always remember him sitting outside his wonderful comic book shop on a cool summer evening in downtown Berkeley. Rory would pull a stool or a chair onto the sidewalk, light up a cigarette, and talk your ear off if you happened to be walking by. This guy loved comics. He was smart, insightful, and honest. His advice was indispensable. And he will certainly be missed.

Today in the Studio

Printing wedding invitations. I’m done drawing flowers for the day.