First off, I would like to say hello. The name is Francis Cabal, and I am the new writer for Comicgasm. I shall specialize in writing articles about the comics outside of “The Big 2″. I shall write about independent comic books, lesser-known graphic novels, and other comic books that exist in the fringes of the industry. Don’t worry, I have the credibility to back it up. I am also an aspiring comic book writer, part-time drinker, full-time smoker, and professional slacker.

It truly is an honor, being asked to join the Comicgasm staff. Then of course, Ade is my friend and I’m into comics, so this doesn’t really come as a big surprise. Sadly, the proverbial Yin of my joining Comicgasm is accompanied by some sad news. By now you must’ve heard of Harvey Pekar’s passing. Pekar is quite influential not just to me and my outlook and the way I write, but  the entire comic book world. So I guess it’s fitting that I finish this entry with a small tribute to Harvey Pekar, one of the champions of independent comic books.

American Splendor is a comic book way ahead of its time. Most writers come from the “write what you know” school of writing, and Harvey Pekar exemplified that. He did not write about superheroes, or pulp-y detective stories, he wrote about himself and his different encounters with people. Some of whom are targets of his disdain. It was different, and that’s why it became so influential. Most independent comic book makers today learned from Pekar. All you need to make an otherwise dull story interesting is to write it in an interesting manner.

The art, initially done by the legend that is R. Crumb also added to the “interesting” aspects of the book.

But this is not a review of American Splendor.

This is a celebration of the life of one of the most important figures in not just comic book history, but in literary history as well. I would even go so far as to call him “The Charles Bukowski of Sequential Art”. Every word he wrote, sincere and poetic. You cannot help but love him at his most miserable and feel happy for him whenever he experienced  the simple joys in life.

He lived a life so normal it warranted its own comic book. His wit, his humor and his curmudgeonly ways will be missed. Harvey Pekar, the slacker poet of Cleveland, may you be there in comic book heaven… finally happy and content. You are more than just a hero, you are an icon.

Francis Cabal

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Related posts:

1. Harvey Pekar: 1939-2010