Three years ago today, artist Mike Wieringo passed away. I can’t say I knew the man by any means. I did shake his hands a few times and watched him draw and talk about art. To quote fellow Blog@ and Newsarama contributor George Marston: “I love looking at a comic artist’s work, and seeing clearly that they love comics.” That was definitely the case with Wieringo. I’ve seen Facebook and Twitter updates and posts about him all day as well as tributes, such as Eric Canete’s.
Canete drew the central characters of Tellos, a comic created by Todd DeZago and Weiringo about a decade ago: Jarek, Koj and Sierra. After Weiringo’s passing, the series was put on hold, but DeZago has mentioned that he would put it out again where there a demand. I think the demand is out there, and is one of those books I wish I had created because it is that good.
I’m curious to know if you have a ‘Ringo story, or how his works have affected you. Mike Weiringo may have passed on, but his art, creations, and legacy will never fade away.
August 12th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
The only thing close to a personal experience that I had with Mike Wieringo is the half finished Captain Marvel sketch that Lan Pitts gave me for Christmas shortly after his death. The fact that it’s a work in progress only adds to how much I love it; there’s more energy in that piece than the finished art of a lot of the guys who are still working.
Other than that, I can honestly say that ‘Ringo was my first favorite artist, the first guy I cared about more than the characters that he was drawing, and the first one to make me really, really think about learning to truly draw, and to understand telling a story. He did a Wizard magazine tutorial on storytelling that I turn to almost every time I sit down to a page.
Since the first time I saw his art on Spider-Man, I have found a lot more favorite artists, and sometimes I forget how much I love ‘Ringo cause I don’t see his art every month, but every time I look at anything he drew, I remember the elegance, the simplicity, and the energy that struck me so hard on those first pages.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:26 am
My story actually starts with Mikes sudden and tragic death in 2007. It was a huge shock to me. I was a huge fan of his work and followed his blog which he updated regularly. He had posted on a Friday, wishing everyone a good weekend, and no-one knew that he’d be gone from us before he could post again.
Through his good friend and regular collaborator Todd Dezago I had managed to get hold of a commemorative sketchbook done for Mike, which arrived just a week or two before I left for a 6 week holiday in the US, which started with a trip to San Diego Comic Con in 2008.
Flashforward to the Friday evening of SDCC 2008. It’s 5:30 and people are starting to pack up as the hall closed at 6. I ask my then girlfriend, now wife, Claire to just take one more walk through Artists Alley before we leave while it’s nice and quiet.
Wandering through I happen onto a table with some very nice art laid out, and the artist is relaxing behind it all chatting to a girl.
“I know it’s late” I said, “but I was wondering if I could buy one of your sketchbooks and get a quick sketch.” That was how I got a lot of my sketches. Most of the artists had sketchbooks for sale and if you bought one there was a page at the back for a quick sketch. I asked them to do the sketch into my sketchbook instead, which was roughly the same size, not some huge A4 monstrosity.
“No problem! I’d love to. Who do you want?”
“Oh, it’s late, and I’m sure you’re tired. Pick someone you enjoy drawing and can sketch without too much work.”
“Fair enough,” he replied, checking out the cover. “You like Marvel then? I’ve always been a fan of Juggernaut. Is he ok with you?”
“Perfect.”
And so James “Bukshot” Bukauskas started on his quick pencil sketch of Cain Marko’s super powered alter ego. Claire marveled at his work that was on the table and I started to leaf through his sketchbook.
“Cool. Ninja Turtle. Ha! Thundercats. Woah. G.I. Joe Dreadnok.” And then I turned a page and went silent. Claire spotted the change first.
“What is it” she asked.
“This sketch. I know this. I got this just before we left in a book for Mike Wieringo.”
James looked up from his sketch.
“Yeah. I don’t generally draw stuff for things like that, but Mike was a nice guy. He was a great artist. I wish I’d met him.”
I’m not ashamed to say that my eyes started to water up a little looking at that sketch. It was a black and white piece with Spider-Man crouched atop a No. 2 HB pencil saying “Thanks Mike”. James and I got talking about Mike then, and our conversation just ran on.
By the time we finished talking we were being asked to leave the hall. James and I shook hands and I thanked him for a wonder chat, and a stunning sketch.
Mikes influence and effect on people carries on far beyond his own lifetime. I think he’d be proud of the legacy he has left behind. He was a great artist and an even better person.
We miss ya Mike.
January 17th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
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