Sad news this morning for the world of comicdom, Harvey Pekar has passed away early this morning.
Pekar is best known for his autobiographical American Splendor. In 2003, the series inspired a critically acclaimed film adaptation of the same name in which Pekar was played by actor Paul Giamatti.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Brabner, and their foster daughter Danielle.
So readers and fans, do you have a favorite Pekar moment? Tell us how he might have affected your lives.
July 12th, 2010 at 9:53 am
First Post! But such a loss. He showed the world that comics could be used as a voice for the every man.
July 12th, 2010 at 10:08 am
The movie, the comic, and the man have had a very significant affect on my life. Do-It-Yourself, blue collar attitude… Although he was a bit pessimistic, he had great passion.
July 12th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Classy, classy move WillAgai.
Pekar’s dour humor and common sensibilities were a fresh voice in the world of comics, and we’re all worse for his passing.
July 12th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I first heard of Harvey Pekar when I was in Jr. High sneaking to watch Late Night with David Letterman. I had only just discovered Dave’s show and I wasn’t sure if Harvey Pekar was real or an actor playing a character. Just the creation of a crazed Late Night gag writer. I was part right. There was a crazed writer involved. It was a few years before I saw a copy of American Splendor and realized he was real. Harvey Pekar was an original.
July 12th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Can’t say I am much of a Pekar person. But his role in extending the boundaries of the American comic book is undeniable. And what other comic book writer can say he was a regular visitor to Letterman?
RIP, Mr. Pekar.
July 12th, 2010 at 10:40 am
I met Harvey when he was still working at the VA hospital. He was counciling my friend Valerie when she was getting a hip replacement. She knew I liked comics and wanted the company so I went along. I didn’t want to be a creep and talk to him too much, but I told him the one intro story in American Splendor about people making fun of his last name meant a lot to me. I have an even more bizarre last name than Harvey. He nodded his head and said, “It’s a badge of courage.” I’ll never forget that.
My wife just saw Joyce on Saturday and we were planning to visit with him. I’m so sorry I won’t have that chance.
I’ll miss you Harvey!
July 12th, 2010 at 11:14 am
He showed us that comics wew more than guys in tights fighting against incredible odds. He showed us that comics were a medium were any type of story could be told. God bless Harvey!
July 12th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Favorite Harvey Pekar moment? There’s so many…Harvey dissing Letterman for having bad donuts in the green room, as well as Harvey insisting on talking about NBC’s connection to GE, which was a weapons contractor, WHILE on their network (it got him tossed off the air). The SPLENDOR Movie is probably the greatest comic book movie ever made, seriously…and of course, all those GREAT comics.
But my favorite moments are personal, and my best Harvey stuff was our few conversations about this and that.
I hate that I live in a world without Harve running around in it.
Ty
July 12th, 2010 at 11:42 am
The JRB mourns the passing of Harvey Pekar. Our just released second issue contains one of his characteristically witty musings on Jewish identity. He stopped by the office just the other day to pick up his author’s copy. We’ll miss him. Link: http://www.jewishreviewofbooks.com/publications/detail/gut-shabbes
July 12th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
A sad loss to the comics world.
July 12th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I met him once and he was so nice. I was really shocked how nice he was; I was expecting him to be grumpy.
July 12th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
I only saw the movie (which was great) I thought that he was a man who could tell it like it is and keep right on living.
July 12th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
There is an excellent interview with Mr. Pekar in this month’s JUXTAPOSE magazine.
July 12th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
The week American Splendor opened in theaters, I had a chance meeting with Harvey and Joyce in line at a bank in NYC. I introduced myself, professed my admiration for his body of work, and wished them good luck with the film. Couldn’t have taken a minute. Half way through, he was looking for an exit. Joyce smiled and thanked me. Harvey nodded and showed relief when I turned around and went back to minding my own business.
A perfect Pekar moment.
July 12th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Why isn’t this on the front page?
July 12th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
This is horrible. I caught American Splendor on DVD and loved it. It really opened my eyes to more independent comics. I was just getting into more independent releases and the film kinda sealed the deal as to why I love them now. I know he will be sorely missed.
July 12th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
There was a very well-done stage adaptation of “American Splendor” playing a limited run in Los Angeles when I lived there (early ’90s) with Dan Castelleneta (better known as the voice of Homer Simpson)playing Harvey. Harvey was undergoing the chemo treatments for his bout with cancer at that time, and as Joyce put it: Dan looked more like Harvey than Harvey did, and Harvey looked more like Homer Simpson! During intermission of the matinee I attended, I spotted Harvey and Joyce sitting in the back row, and asked Harvey how he liked the show so far. The next thirty or so seconds remain amongst the most awkward of my life. Harvey replied: “Ehhhhh, well, y’know, whaddya ‘spect, I mean, ehhhhh, s’a whole different medium, y’know, I mean….” and so on. Still, I’m glad I said ‘Hi’, and regret that I can never do so again.
July 13th, 2010 at 5:56 am
Little guy in the video shop knew I’d love the movie, I loved his comics more.
See ya’ Harvey.
July 13th, 2010 at 6:31 am
Jesus Christ, WillAgai.
Harvey Pekar is not just one of the greatest comic writers of all time, he’s one of the greatest writers of all time. The world is a worse place without him in it.
July 13th, 2010 at 9:26 am
I really loved AMERICAN SPLENDOR and thought that the filmmakers did justice to him and his worldview
July 13th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
R.I.P Mr. Pekar. U are (and always will be) one of the greats in comics.
July 13th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Sad news indeed. I wrote up about a British comic strip that I think Pekar would’ve liked, had he still been alive to appreciate it:
http://sundaycomicsdebt.blogspot.com/2010/07/posy-simmonds.html
January 17th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven’t got the guts to bite people themselves.