Remembering Ringo

Tonight at the Lead Poet's Society, we talked about Mike Wieringo and what he and his art meant to us. From there we decided to do Ringo themed sketches.

Ringo's Flash got me into drawing comics again in the 90's. Some of my first samples to DC were Impulse samples based on the stuff I saw of his at the time. Later on, his Spider-Man had a tremendous affect on how I approached the character myself. I was told a couple of times by editors and friends that there was a "Ringo" type feel to my Spidey. While some artists cring at being compared to other established artists, I thought this was the cooles thing anybody could ever say to me.

So tonight, I drew Spidey. The way I draw him. Which is pretty much the way I saw him filtered through Mike Wieringo in the first place. Thanks, Mike. I can honestly say I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today without your influence.

Goodbye Mike Wieringo

I have a list of comic art idols. Mike Wieringo was up there at the top.

I'd only met the man once - a little after I finished a Sidekicks story for Oni after he couldn't finish it. I made sure to tell him that doing that was probably the most intimidating thing I had ever done. He reassured me and couldn't have been a nicer guy. My friends Skottie and Jamar talked to him often and I would always tell them, "Man, I wish I could talk to Ringo. He's my idol, y'know", and I'm sure they got sick of hearing it.

Well, he's gone now. And even though I never even really got to know him, it feels like somebody in the family is gone. His work has had such a big presence in my life for so many years as a fan and peer that I'm not sure how to use this information that he is no longer around. I feel for his family and those who knew him well.

Ringo will truly be missed.