Posted in: Comics | Tagged: comics reporter, tom spurgeon
Comic Book Folk Remember Tom Spurgeon
Woke up this morning to the news that Tom Spurgeon of The Comics Journal, Comics Reporter, and so much more, had passed.
i will save this comics industry to the ground
— Tom Spurgeon (@comicsreporter) July 15, 2017
I always valued Tom, he had my back, and at some of my lowest periods, would send words of encouragement. I wish I could have said goodbye. Lots of comic book creators, editors and reporters felt the same. Here's a few of their words, expressed on social media since.
1. I'm gutted by the news that Tom Spurgeon (who had a presence here as @comicsreporter) died unexpectedly at the age of 51. Tom was one of my favorite people in comics, a presence in my life as long as I can remember, a fine critic and advocate for comics. pic.twitter.com/UKOfS2xUNo
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) November 14, 2019
Our good friend, everyone's good friend, Tom Spurgeon @comicsreporter, winning an Eisner in 2012 for best comics reporting. We love you Tom, may you rest in peace. {still processing, totally heartbroken} pic.twitter.com/8fD0VcsViN
— Drawn & Quarterly (@DandQ) November 14, 2019
Our good friend, everyone's good friend, Tom Spurgeon @comicsreporter, winning an Eisner in 2012 for best comics reporting. We love you Tom, may you rest in peace. {still processing, totally heartbroken} pic.twitter.com/8fD0VcsViN
— Drawn & Quarterly (@DandQ) November 14, 2019
I didn't know Tom Spurgeon personally, but @comicsreporter's presence as a critic & voice seemed to kind of vibrate in the bones of comics. The day he followed me, I instinctively straightened up in my chair, honored & nervous. The adults were watching. I hope he rests in peace.
— Jason Latour (@jasonlatour) November 14, 2019
Tom Spurgeon, @comicsreporter , was a gracious dinner companion both times I went to SDCC, a helpful source for me on multiple stories, and a faithful champion of the comics writing at the AVC. He was also one of the best critics the medium ever had. RIP to a great one.
— Noel Murray (@NoelMu) November 14, 2019
There are no words other than Tom Spurgeon, @comicsreporter, you were loved. I'll see you again somewhere and sometime between images and words, panel borders and margins.
— Jen Vaughn 🔛 Big DunJen Show (@TheJenya) November 14, 2019
Hearing that Tom Spurgeon has passed away. He was a true hero of the comics industry, a tireless advocate for the medium in all its permutations and he will be deeply, deeply missed.
— K. Thor Jensen (@kthorjensen) November 14, 2019
Texting w/friends, remembering how SEEN you'd feel whenever @comicsreporter wrote about your work, or when he'd stop by your table and check on you.
So many fixtures of the indie comics were noticed & supported selflessly by Tom early on in their careers
RIP to Tom Spurgeon 💔
— Ryan Sands (@remoteryan) November 14, 2019
So sorry to lose comics journalist Tom Spurgeon. A passionate thinker, he and I butted heads constantly on the Comics Journal Forum, but he was warm and friendly in person; one of those rare people you could flatly disagree with and know it wouldn't be taken personally. RIP Tom. pic.twitter.com/gtlKulUtmj
— Jesse Hamm (@jesse_hamm) November 14, 2019
Rest in peace, Tom Spurgeon & deepest condolences to all who treasured him. I knew him only from his writing but was always impressed by his wry humor & total dedication to comics. Was just in the same room at Baltimore but didn't meet. Say hi when you have the chance, friends. https://t.co/bYpJLKHTsC
— Greg Pak (@gregpak) November 14, 2019
Just learning about Tom Spurgeon, and I'm genuinely heartbroken. He was someone whose influence and inspiration I can't overstate, and also someone whose kindness and good humor in person always felt like a gift.
— Graeme (@graemem) November 14, 2019
Love you, Tom. #TomSpurgeon #Comics pic.twitter.com/tjkUE0gLJU
— Carol Tyler (@CarolComix) November 14, 2019
Tom Spurgeon died. A long time writer of the Comics Journal, he wanted comics to be a respected art form. I never completely agreed (an art form often loses its connection to the greater public when it becomes respected)– but disagreeing was half the fun.
Rest in peace.— Patch of Zingara (@PatrickZircher) November 14, 2019
Tom Spurgeon died. A long time writer of the Comics Journal, he wanted comics to be a respected art form. I never completely agreed (an art form often loses its connection to the greater public when it becomes respected)– but disagreeing was half the fun.
Rest in peace.— Patch of Zingara (@PatrickZircher) November 14, 2019
Oh no, not Tom Spurgeon. He was a fine writer about comics, and irreplaceable as The Comics Reporter. He was always very kind to me in our online interactions over the years. I'll certainly miss him
— Mike Sterling, the 31+ Years of Comics Retail Guy (@mikesterling) November 14, 2019
Tom Spurgeon gave me one of my first "pro" press interviews, over a decade ago. When I saw him last, at SPX a few years back, I had to let him know how in awe I was of how vocally and how prolifically he championed the comics he loved. RIP, Tom. https://t.co/2MCLJ4xGWw
— David Malki ! (@malki) November 14, 2019
Life well lived Tom Spurgeon. Thanks for all the hard work and great writing about the wonderful medium that is comics.
— Brent Schoonover (@brentschoonover) November 14, 2019
Rest in peace Tom Spurgeon. Comics will miss you. Thank you for coming to live with us in Columbus – even though it was for too short a time.
— jeff smith (@jeffsmithsbone) November 14, 2019
I can't even process losing Tom Spurgeon. The smartest, fiercest, best writer on comics we had and an incredible friend and mentor to me personally in my career. I'll never get over this. Comics will never get over this. RIP, Tom. You were the greatest. pic.twitter.com/w7yXr5gyaX
— Kiel Phegley (@KielPhegley) November 14, 2019
So sad to hear about Tom Spurgeon's passing. Whenever something big happened, Comics Reporter was one of the first places I went to get perspective, and he was always generous with help in my experience. Plus, you always knew you'd get the truth from him, which is truly rare.
— SKTCHD (@sktchdcomic) November 14, 2019
One final, idiosyncratic Tom Spurgeon thought for tonight. I've long wondered who the John Peel of comics was, and only realized the answer tonight when it was too late. Fuck.
— Graeme (@graemem) November 14, 2019
Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Tom Spurgeon. I'm a big fan of his writing and his voice in this industry will be sorely missed.
— Doc Shaner (@DocShaner) November 14, 2019
Very sad to hear that comics lost one of our greats, Tom Spurgeon @comicsreporter. He was a true gem. Tom came to one of Isotope's parties and was uncomfortable in a loud, bustling crowd of people. So I hung out with him on the sidewalk out front & we watched my party from afar.
— James Sime (@jamessime) November 14, 2019
Horribly sad to hear of Tom Spurgeon's passing. Love his comics criticism; a man who saw the potential in the medium and demanded we keep striving for that transcendence. Finally met him in Baltimore this year, when I presented him with a Ringo. RIP you smart ass nerd. https://t.co/xWMjo3aSGv
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) November 14, 2019
The comic industry was definitely a better place with Tom Spurgeon in it. Very sad to lose his voice and passion. R.I.P. https://t.co/OE4717Inv7
— Chris Ryall (@chris_ryall) November 14, 2019
"You could do far worse than to build a lifetime of friendships with the people you meet in comics. Far, far worse. I'm not sure you could do much better. " – Tom Spurgeon #RIPTomSpurgeon
— Zack Davisson @AnimeNYC U14 (@ZackDavisson) November 14, 2019
I'm sad to learn of Tom Spurgeon's passing. A loss for comics, a loss for Columbus, and a loss for the world of a decent person. R.I.P.
— Jude Terror (@judeterror) November 14, 2019
Tom Spurgeon co-wrote an amazing Stan Lee biography. The final paragraph of the book hits like a sledge hammer. I'd share it here, but I'd rather you read the book yourself.
— Thomas Scioli (@tomscioli) November 14, 2019
I cant believe that Tom Spurgeon passed away today? What a force for the comics community. This is awful awful news. What a loss. @comicsreporter taught me so much from his site and feed over the years.
— Aaron Meyers (@AaronMeyers) November 14, 2019
Sad to hear the passing of Tom Spurgeon @comicsreporter. He was one of the solid comic reporters with so much passion and the loss of him leaves a gap.
— Graphic Policy (@graphicpolicy) November 14, 2019
Sad to hear the passing of Tom Spurgeon @comicsreporter. He was one of the solid comic reporters with so much passion and the loss of him leaves a gap.
— Graphic Policy (@graphicpolicy) November 14, 2019
I knew Tom Spurgeon mainly through Twitter, but we got to sit at the same Eisners table one year and chatted a bit about stuff that wasn't comics (he ended up winning that night). He was a smart and very funny man. RIP.
— Andy Khouri (@andykhouri) November 14, 2019
I knew Tom Spurgeon mainly through Twitter, but we got to sit at the same Eisners table one year and chatted a bit about stuff that wasn't comics (he ended up winning that night). He was a smart and very funny man. RIP.
— Andy Khouri (@andykhouri) November 14, 2019
So sad to hear of the passing of Tom Spurgeon. He was kind and good humoured and a great advocate for the industry.
— Pia Guerra (@PiaGuerra) November 14, 2019
Shattered to learn that @comicsreporter Tom Spurgeon has passed. We spoke often when I owned CBR and he was just good people. Smart, thoughtful, kind.
The comics industry is a lesser place today.
RIP, Tom.
— Jonah Weiland (@jonahweiland) November 14, 2019
One of my favorite things about Tom Spurgeon was always that, for one, he was really kind and conscientious and deeply loved comics, but at the same time, he had no truck with bullshit and would surprise you with such a cutting remark about some garbage 😙👌
— Alejandro A. Arbona 🇵🇷 (@Alejandrobot) November 14, 2019
RIP Tom Spurgeon. We did not always see eye to eye, but once in our most heated moment he sent me his social security number in the subject header of an email. The email was about something else; it was just a tiny, thoughtful, and perhaps unwise way to express mutual trust.
— Anne Elizabeth Moore (@superanne) November 14, 2019
I'm crushed to hear Tom Spurgeon has passed away. He was such an incredible force in comics, and just an all-around great guy. I literally was *just* reading this incredibly complimentary plug he wrote for my book, and was about to thank him when I heard. I'm devastated.
— Sean Kleefeld (@skleefeld) November 14, 2019
Devastated to hear about Tom Spurgeon. He cannot be replaced. What a void we'll have.
— Charles Forsman (@CharlesForsman) November 14, 2019
Tom Spurgeon is the only acceptable answer to the question "Who was the best editor of The Comics Journal?" other than Gary Groth himself. I didn't know him as well as I'd have liked, but I enjoyed our interactions and correspondences, and very much admired his writing.
— Dirk Deppey (@deppey) November 14, 2019
Anything I want to say about how much Tom Spurgeon's passing removes some of the industry's luster for me just sounds trite in the face of a human life lost.
I hate the narrowing of comprehension among industry observers, and losing Tom's voice squeezes things even tighter.
— B. Clay Moore (@bclaymoore) November 14, 2019
This is just awful.
Tom Spurgeon was as smart, insightful and wickedly funny as anyone I met in comics. He always dug chatting/sparring as did I. Our mutual adoration of BERLIN smoothed over any differences. He loved comics so much.
Aw shit… https://t.co/T0nzSt70os
— John Cunningham (@CunninghamWhip) November 14, 2019
Tom Spurgeon was a titan of the comics industry. So sad to hear of his passing.
— Samantha Puc 🦦✨ #NaNoWriMo (@theverbalthing) November 14, 2019
Just heard Tom Spurgeon, The Comics Reporter, has passed away. I can't believe it. RIP.
— Val D'Orazio (@thevaldorazio) November 14, 2019
Wake up to hear about @comicsreporter's passing and I recommend you search his name to see how many ways that Tom has impacted the industry and the people in side it, and his love of the medium. A titan comic letters, and he'll be missed.
— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) November 14, 2019
Goodnight, @comicsreporter. Our community is diminished by your absence.
— Kelly Sue DeConnick (@kellysue) November 14, 2019
Heart broken over @comicsreporter passing away. He was thoughtful, generous, and didn't mind getting into the shit. Comicsdom shines less bright for its loss.
— Joshua Hale Fialkov (@JoshFialkov) November 14, 2019