Man-Size ([info]man_size) wrote,
2005-01-04 11:54:00
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Will Eisner 1917 - 2005



A little over four years ago, Dark Horse Comics editor, Diana Schutz, brought Will Eisner over to me when I was hawking my [then] latest Billy Dogma comic, BOY IN MY POCKET, at the Top Shelf table at SPX. Eisner was the special guest of honor and Di was showing him select cartoonists from the new crop. Eisner, a true pioneer of the form [and going strong -- producing steady graphic novels ever since A CONTRACT WITH GOD, THE DREAMER, etc.], Di knew he'd appreciate the tour. They had just come from a panel featuring Jeff [BONE] Smith and he mentioned KEYHOLE, a semi-auto-bio, two-man anthology by Josh Neufeld and I, as being one of his favorite modern comix. Eisner wanted to know more about this KEYHOLE and the people who made it.



I shook hands with Will and he flipped through the pages of KEYHOLE and BILLY DOGMA. I was star struck. Standing before me was a legend. A comix god. If there are three names carved into a stone that represents the comix industry, Will Eisner is on that list [including Jack Kirby, and -- I'd hazard to guess the third]. After a few smiles and a quick study of my work, Will raised his Brooklyn born fist and cheered "You're the future of comics, kid!" Needless to admit, I was charged and humbled by his rally. I know I wasn't the only kid he cheered but he made you feel special and that you counted and that's the kind of tireless champion Will Eisner was. I've been coasting on his declaration ever since.

In 2002, I was nominated for an EISNER AWARD for "Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition." It hangs proudly above my art table.



Last week, when I heard that Will had undergone quadruple bypass surgery, I wrote him a post card wishing him a rapid recovery and to "keep the spirit alive." This past Friday, while designing the cover for my latest 2-man anthology [with Scott Morse] AS BIG AS EARTH, I employed an old Eisner trick wherein you incorporate the logo or title into the artwork, like all those now infamous Sunday SPIRIT comics Eisner and company produced during World War 2 and beyond.

Will Eisner's graphic impact and infectious joy for the medium will forever steer me. Thank you, Will.

Rest in peace.




Related News: http://www.newsarama.com/pages/Eisner.htm

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  • 18 comments

[info]kfan

January 4 2005, 17:14:05 UTC 7 years ago

that's a great memory of him. he will definitely be missed.

[info]man_size

January 4 2005, 20:38:54 UTC 7 years ago

Thanks. Eisner is a hero.

[info]rojagato

January 4 2005, 17:15:57 UTC 7 years ago

You're the future of comics, kid!

Thanks for that memory of Eisner. His contributions to the graphic vocabulary were invaluable.

I wonder who he'd have said were his influences?

[info]man_size

January 4 2005, 21:04:10 UTC 7 years ago

Re: You're the future of comics, kid!

I'll bet the cinema had a huge influence on Eisner's storytelling. Movies like CITIZEN KANE and THE ASPHALT JUNGLE.

[info]whiskeysamurai

January 4 2005, 17:18:00 UTC 7 years ago

What a great way to say good-bye.

I can't even imagine what it must've been like to be pep-talked by someone like Eisner.

[info]man_size

January 4 2005, 21:05:37 UTC 7 years ago

I'm still riding on the fumes.

[info]benchilada

January 4 2005, 21:49:33 UTC 7 years ago

Nice memory you've got there. He's on my list of people I wish I'd had a chance to shake hands with, or buy a cup of coffee.

And as somebody finally getting up to speed on starting a writing career, I have to say that his words were as big and new to me as his art.

Well, maybe it was because he wrote like we all speak -- a no-no, the critics warn -- that it sounded so new...

[info]man_size

January 5 2005, 04:01:43 UTC 7 years ago

Eisner knew how to write compelling short stories yet keep it common.

[info]thamesrhodes

January 4 2005, 22:48:42 UTC 7 years ago

Hmmm, a third on the list...?

That's Sad. I remember when Don Martin Died There was a guy on the 4 train selling his comic book collection to raise Money for DM's 2 adopted Daughers.

Is Harvey Kurtzman the third guy on your list?

[info]man_size

January 5 2005, 04:04:48 UTC 7 years ago

Re: Hmmm, a third on the list...?

I remember when you told me that tragic Don Martin tale.

Kurtzman is a good call. Heidi MacDonald thinks it's Carl Barks. R. Crumb and Frank Miller would make for a good argument. There are so many greats.

[info]aijoskobi

January 4 2005, 23:24:48 UTC 7 years ago

I don't even know you, but you just made me cry.

[info]man_size

January 5 2005, 04:09:42 UTC 7 years ago

It was Will.

[info]thamesrhodes

January 5 2005, 14:27:01 UTC 7 years ago

Cry.

Sorry about the cry,

The 4 train is usually a happy place.

[info]mr_cornelius

January 4 2005, 23:57:20 UTC 7 years ago

That's a lovely memory.

Eisner was such a strong influence on my reading - he showed quite capably the strength of the comic medium to tell great stories, as well as providing high quality artwork that has continued to stand the test of time.

He will be missed.

[info]man_size

January 5 2005, 04:23:44 UTC 7 years ago

No doubt.

[info]tuckermike

January 5 2005, 01:40:28 UTC 7 years ago

:(

My sholders were slumped today. I regret not having the chance to meet him.

[info]man_size

January 5 2005, 04:24:16 UTC 7 years ago

I've been having a slow day of it, too.

Chin up.

[info]adijin

January 5 2005, 11:41:33 UTC 7 years ago

Sad news.

Rest in peace, Eisner..
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