Rory Root
I was saddened and shocked yesterday to hear of the passing of Comic Relief store owner Rory Root.
Though I've been here in the Bay Area and involved with artists and art organizations alike for the past 5 years, I never formally met the man. I never had more than a brief one or two minute conversation with him in passing at a convention or in his store. I never went to dinner with him, worked with him or had a drink with him.
How, you may ask, has someone who I never knew left such an indelible mark on my life? The answer is simple: Rory was a part of our community. The comics community. A brother in arms. The beauty about our specific community (and most artist communities I would imagine) is that you don't need to know someone on a first name basis for them to touch your life. He undeniably has touched mine.
Rory, in many ways, revolutionized the way comic stores were viewed and operated. He was a champion of the underdog, the indie artist and the aspiring creator. He always seemed to make time to speak with anyone who was interested in our beloved artform and took that opportunity to make them as excited about it as he was. He loved all aspects of the industry. He loved comics.
Most of what I write is drawn from the too few interactions I've had with him and accounts from those who knew him well. Unfortunately I am not one of those people. For that I am truly saddened....
The world has lost a great man.
Though I've been here in the Bay Area and involved with artists and art organizations alike for the past 5 years, I never formally met the man. I never had more than a brief one or two minute conversation with him in passing at a convention or in his store. I never went to dinner with him, worked with him or had a drink with him.
How, you may ask, has someone who I never knew left such an indelible mark on my life? The answer is simple: Rory was a part of our community. The comics community. A brother in arms. The beauty about our specific community (and most artist communities I would imagine) is that you don't need to know someone on a first name basis for them to touch your life. He undeniably has touched mine.
Rory, in many ways, revolutionized the way comic stores were viewed and operated. He was a champion of the underdog, the indie artist and the aspiring creator. He always seemed to make time to speak with anyone who was interested in our beloved artform and took that opportunity to make them as excited about it as he was. He loved all aspects of the industry. He loved comics.
Most of what I write is drawn from the too few interactions I've had with him and accounts from those who knew him well. Unfortunately I am not one of those people. For that I am truly saddened....
The world has lost a great man.
posted by Alex at
2:06 PM
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