MIKE WIERINGO CELEBRATION IN NYC - 09.19.07

[MattBrady]

This coming Wednesday, the comic community will gather one more time to remember creator Mike Wieringo. The event will be held at Flatiron Joe’s, 29 West 21 Street (between 5th and 6th Ave) in New York City. All are welcome, and there will be writers, artists and other contemporaries of Mike’s at the event, with many artists drawing sketches which can be bought that evening. Proceeds from the evening (along with monies raised from an auction of pieces produced for Newsarama’s ‘Ringo Tribute) will be split, 50/50 between the ASPCA and the Hero Initiative. In additional to donating the space, Flatiron Joe’s will also make a cash contribution to The Hero Initiative/ASPCA. There is no charge to attend.

We spoke with Wieringo’s collaborator on Tellos Todd Dezago about this coming event and the tribute at last weekend’s Baltimore Comic-Con.

"I was at the Baltimore ComicCon this past weekend and it wasn't until about halfway through the show that I realized how much people actually needed it, how many pros and fans alike needed to shake my hand or give me a hug or simply walk up to the table and express their sympathies and condolences. They needed that closure. Mike was not only a great talent, but a great guy as well, and whether folks knew him in person, or were simply touched by his art, we have all lost someone very special.

“It was wonderful to remember him at Baltimore, as I'm sure we'll all do in Charlotte at Heroes Con next summer. It's great that Flatiron Joe’s and the Heroes Initiative are doing this to give those of us in the northeast a chance to remember Ringo.”

The Hero Initiative’s Jim McLauchlin added: “Through accident of history, divine providence, or whatever the circumstances may be, a lot of the comics publishing business is centered in Manhattan. Many of the publishers are there, a lot of talent is nearby. Joe Quesada had the notion to do something in Manhattan. I know there were events at the Baltimore Comic-Con and near Mike's home, but this should hopefully give some new folks a chance to show up, pay their respects, and have a good time.

“With a name like ‘McLauchlin,’ you can probably assume I'm well familiar with the Irish Wake. Hell, some of the best parties I've ever been to were wakes. This is somewhat in that vein. I think I went through six drafts of the announcement before finalizing, looping in Mike's brother Matt and Todd DeZago the entire way. We omitted all references to words such as "memorial" or "somber," because in everyone's eyes, that's not what Mike's about. He loved to draw, loved to have fun, and had a great sense of humor. We think this night will be in that same sort of spirit, which again ties into the Irish Wake concept. You definitely mark someone's passing, but more than anything, you celebrate their life, and remember all the good things and the good times. That's what it's all about.

“It was almost strange. Within 24 hours of Mike's passing, I started to get scans of drawings from artists—I think Francis Manapul's was the first—who did Mike-themed pieces and said, ‘Hey, I felt I had to draw this, and now I want to do something with it. Can I donate it to you?’ It was like a lot of people were working their feelings out on paper via their art. Totally independently, Matt Wieringo had told folks that they could omit flowers in lieu of donations to The Hero Initiative and the ASPCA. I ran down Matt's phone number after a few days and told him about the art I was receiving, and asked how he wanted to dispense with it. He told me that auctioning it off would be cool, and splitting proceeds between us and the ASPCA. We'll run eBay auctions starting on or about the 19th, and collect money to split with the ASPCA—Mike was quite an animal lover, as I'm sure you well know.

“I know Joe Quesada will be there—he's right in that same neighborhood. Jim McCann from Marvel will also be there, as will Tom Raney, Neil Vokes, and whoever else shows up. I'm hopeful that everyone will remember Mike well, and tell some great stories. I know Quesada has a couple, and I'd wager Todd Dezago must have a million.”

Again, the celebration is planned for Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 7:30 pm.

[KraziJoe]

Good for them!

[Stormbreaker]

That sounds like a wonderful get together. I will most definitely go for at least one of those sketches so I can contribute in my own way.

[BornToRun]

Any plans to digitize these images before their final sales and collect them? I'm sure it would be a niche publication, but it seems as though someone could make a decent charity contribution based on collecting these and maybe some of the eulogies written by friends and colleagues and selling them to benefit the charities as well.

[pogofan]

I attended the panel at Baltimore Comic-Con (my first convention, btw) that Todd did with Mark Waid, Cully Hammer, and Scott Kurtz (Tom Brevoort joined in halfway through), and it was like being at the funniest memorial service you can imagine. I didn't know 'Ringo from Adam, and hadn't even seen much of his work since the end of his run on Flash -- but to see and hear how these guys felt about him was still very touching. (And did I mention it was funny?) I don't know what the physical set-up is like at Flatiron Joe's, but if there's room for people like me who would just be there to observe, I highly recommend going.

[Jamal Y. Igle]

I wish I could be there, Since I live in New York. However I'll be on my honeymoon on the West coast. My thoughts will be there however.

[Rich L]

This sounds great. I'll try and make it down there.

Matt - would you put up a link to the ebay store when the auctions start too please?

[Gokitalo]

Originally Posted by pogofan

I attended the panel at Baltimore Comic-Con (my first convention, btw) that Todd did with Mark Waid, Cully Hammer, and Scott Kurtz (Tom Brevoort joined in halfway through), and it was like being at the funniest memorial service you can imagine. I didn't know 'Ringo from Adam, and hadn't even seen much of his work since the end of his run on Flash -- but to see and hear how these guys felt about him was still very touching. (And did I mention it was funny?) I don't know what the physical set-up is like at Flatiron Joe's, but if there's room for people like me who would just be there to observe, I highly recommend going.

Right on. The Mike Wieringo tribute at the Baltimore Comic-Con was fantastic, and I'm sure this event will be too.

[TCJohnson]

Originally Posted by Jamal Y. Igle

I wish I could be there, Since I live in New York. However I'll be on my honeymoon on the West coast. My thoughts will be there however.

Off topic, but Congratulations.

[80Pork]

I wish I could go to this...I also wished I could've attended the panel at Baltimore. Mike was a great talent. My wife isn't even a comic reader, but she could recognize his art immediately and she has told me before that she liked it. I was actually in Barnes & Noble last night and they had the Wieringo volume of Modern Masters. I had to get it. Just flipping through it last night kinda made me sad, yet happy. I loved all of his drawings of his own creations as a kid...reminds me of some of my own.

[KentL]

Originally Posted by Rich L

This sounds great. I'll try and make it down there.

Matt - would you put up a link to the ebay store when the auctions start too please?

This is a link to Hero Initiative's eBay page. Hope that helps.

[tfitz]

Wish I could be there, but hopefully I will get win a drawing from Ebay to help out in a small way.

Cho's looked really good.

[sniperboy65]

I am sure that a lot of us fans will be there in spirit. I hope there will be some pictures online of the event.

[grphxkindaguy]

Originally Posted by Jamal Y. Igle

I wish I could be there, Since I live in New York.

Me too, but I also have a prior commitment.

I loved Weiringo's stuff, he will be sorely missed.

I hope picts will be posted somewhere, of this event.

[JLAJRC]

Originally Posted by pogofan

I attended the panel at Baltimore Comic-Con (my first convention, btw) that Todd did with Mark Waid, Cully Hammer, and Scott Kurtz (Tom Brevoort joined in halfway through), and it was like being at the funniest memorial service you can imagine. I didn't know 'Ringo from Adam, and hadn't even seen much of his work since the end of his run on Flash -- but to see and hear how these guys felt about him was still very touching. (And did I mention it was funny?) I don't know what the physical set-up is like at Flatiron Joe's, but if there's room for people like me who would just be there to observe, I highly recommend going.

I was surprised we didn't get an article about that. It would have been nice to have read what was said.

[Rich L]

Originally Posted by KentL

This is a link to Hero Initiative's eBay page. Hope that helps.

Thanks - that helps a lot!

[DavidWRyan]

I'll definitely be there. I'd love to donate a piece also if possible.

[Stormbreaker]

Oops. Accidentally clicked.

[pogofan]

Originally Posted by JLAJRC

I was surprised we didn't get an article about that. It would have been nice to have read what was said.

As the anecdotes got raunchier, the panelists got increasingly concerned that they not be publicly reported. I think it was Kurtz who said, in so many words, "I'm looking at you, Newsarama." I guess Matt would be the person to give the definitive answer on why they didn't do a partial report, but I'm guessing that either the panel requested that nothing go in, or Newsarama decided it would be too awkward or wasn't worth it. I would've enjoyed seeing the delicate tip-toeing, but as someone who was fortunate enough to be there, I shouldn't be greedy!

[POWRSURG]

Originally Posted by Jamal Y. Igle

I wish I could be there, Since I live in New York. However I'll be on my honeymoon on the West coast. My thoughts will be there however.

I'm sure your wife appreciates that.

[James Asia]

I'm gonna try to go! Might have to leave work a bit early though.

[Predabot1]

Wow. This sounds great. A party of happiness, remembrance, but no sulking.

Is Flatiron Joe's located in the actual Flat-iron building? Sorry, I've only ever been to New York once, so I don't know the streets.

I actually got a mental image of what this get together with Joe Q and the other pro's and fans alike might be like... And it's cool.

To everybody involved: Good show.

[musclebound]

I've heard nothing but good things about this very talented man. This is a perfect send off for a genuinely nice human being taken away from us all way too soon in his life. Wish I could be there.

[NedPepper]

Good man, good cause.

And I like that it's a celebration of life. I hope when I pass on that's how people will remember me. Remember the good times about life, the funny stories, the good memories. The last thing I would ever want would be sorrow at a function of remembrance.

[Cray_ws]

Image needs to publish a special edition of Tellos trade and include these tribute sketches. It would be truly the best tribute to honor his gift to this industry.