RIP Mike Wieringo

First off, let me say that when I typed "RIP" in the title above, I realized I gave the same goodbye to a human being as I did to my lost sandals a few weeks ago. This makes me feel guilty, but I don't know whether to change the title for the shoes post or maybe make this one more heartfelt.

Anyway, comic artist Mike Wieringo died last weekend at age forty-four, of an apparent heart failure. He was a vegetarian who worked out regularly and was in great shape, so the sudden death was a shock to everyone that knew him. In fact, his own blog has an absolutely normal and mundane post from Mike on the night before his death, with the next post being one from his brother, announcing his passing.

Mike not only took care of himself, but he was known for taking care of others. He was supposedly a great all-around guy, one of the few pros in the industry who works with absolutely no ego and whose talents are underrated, not overrated. And there are many stories circulating about how he stuck his neck out for one collaborator or another, showing that he knew the meaning and importance of loyalty.

I didn't really know much about Mike. I read most of the Flash issues he did with Mark Waid, and then some of the Fantastic Four issues he did, also with Waid. I remember enjoying the art on Flash (in fact, it was pretty much the only time I've ever really gotten into that character), and absolutely loving his art on Fantastic Four. Wieringo drew one of my favorite characters, The Thing, exactly as he should be drawn. In fact, he seemed to draw most heroes in their most "essential" modes. Casual fans might look at Wieringo's style and remark that it lacks flash, but that's actually what I love most about it. He had a bit of John Byrne or George Perez in him, in the fact that he could draw any character and his drawing would look exactly like that character was supposed to look. And not only could Wieringo draw anything and anyone, his drawings always seemed to convey an energy--a positivity--that isn't often found in current comic art.

I'd always wished he'd get assigned to Captain America, as his version of Cap (below) is exactly how Cap looks in my mind's eye. And heck, if he'd have brought Waid back to the book, I wouldn't have complained about that, either.

I know this isn't much of a tribute to Mike Wieringo. But that's okay. I'm not as familiar with his body of work--or him as a person--as many other comic bloggers are. So I'll let them talk about "Ringo" and his life.

Judging from the sheer number of posts in his honor, he definitely had an impact on the people and the industry. I hope people say half as many nice things about me when I die.