Aug17
Hey
What a week. I’ve wanted to post all week about Mike Wieringo. Just throw down some thoughts. It’s just crazy though. I am still completely shocked. You can’t go far online without being reminded of his death.
It just breaks my heart, I feel for his family and all his many friends. I’ve never had a chance to meet Mike in person, we have exchanged e-mails and he’s posted on my art threads. And every time I got a post from him my mind would just freak. Seriously I was always happy to see him post on my art and say encouraging things, it really blew my mind. Mike was always so helpful of independent books, he was a fan of Invincible. He’s written a foreword for us, he’s drawn us a cover, he’s done stuff for the Handbook. All for free. I don’t know too many artists that do this. He’s just a great guy and a great artist.
He’s all I’ve thought about since Monday. And seeing all the many artists write journals about him, and fill their blogs, it just goes to show how loved Mike was. He really got around to talking to us artists, that’s what made him so special to me, he’s a huge artist who actually took time to check out other artists work and make it known how much he loves it. He was always an optimistic encouraging guy. We need more artists like him.
I’m gonna miss him.
Ryan
Here’s a DOOM pic for you all. Thanks for stoppin by.
Ryan, this is an awesome post about Mike. I am still very sad about it, too. I also only knew him online, but he was always as sweet a person as they come. He was always very enthusiastic about my work. Just like you described, it blew me away that he would take the time to write such nice things. The man and his art are both incredible.
PS- That Doom is STELLAR!
I really dig how most of the websites I frequent about comics are all paying tribute to one of my favorite artist. He will be sorely missed by all.
I just found out last night that Image already has a tribute book planned for Mike, one of my friends that posts on here has been asked to possibly do a piece for it. I know he would be thrilled to have anything of his published in something that special. I know Mike was an influence on him. MY thoughts and prayers to MIke’s friends and family. That man drew one of the most dynamic Spidermans I have ever seen.
I’ll never forget how special it made me feel when he complimented a picture I posted on the Drawing Board forums.
Yeah, Mike will be missed incredibly- by fans, friends, and family alike. Just a great stand-up guy.
Oh, and great illustration, Ryan! I hesitate to call it a sketch, as it’s so complete and in color no less.
As Brad said above, Mike was a big influence on my art. His Spiderman was one of the absolute best. His style was fun and fit Spidey perfectly I thought. I always figured that if I ever got the chance to do Spiderman that I would use Mike’s version as a reference and remember pouring over his Basic Trainings in Wizard.
Having lost my mother earlier in the summer I feel the deepest sympathies for Mike’s family and will be immensely honored to have something in the Image tribute in Mike’s memory.
Excelsior Mike, you’ll be missed.
Dude! That is one of coolest marker pics I’ve seen a long, long time. I knew you had mad skills with the pencils, but man, the color handling on this blew me away. Great stuff!
-Dustin Evans
Ooops, that comment in your con sketches was supposed to be about this one. Fantastic.
3!LL
i think its kinda funny that dr. doom is drawn on image comics paper.