It’s a sad morning to wake up to the news that comics author Harvey Pekar is no longer with us. If I was a guy like Pekar, I’d be ecstatic that a definitive work like Shari Berman and Robert Pulcini’s “American Splendor” is out there, telling my story on film as I mosey off into the great beyond. To say nothing of a life’s work in print. (A pair of classic Letterman appearances after the jump.)
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6 responses to “R.I.P. Harvey Pekar”
I saw American Splendor again last night, and found it much better than I had originally. But hey, at least Polanski will make films again, right?
I had never heard of Harvey Pekar until I saw American Splendor in 2003. What a fascinating man he was. Too bad Paul Giamatti didn’t get an Oscar nomination for this role, nor Hope Davis. One of the best movies of 2003.
I interviewed Harvey back in 86, after becoming a fan of his comics the previous year (without the help of his David Letterman appearances). I met he and Joyce face to face, in 89 and 91. I will always remember Harvey’s alligance to his own nature, to his love of comics and jazz and literature. In particular, he’s helped shape what I find fascinating in comics, and by extension, movies. I would hope that everyone here who liked the movie, or at least found it intriguing, has plunked down a ew bucks for even one issue of AMERICAN SPLENDOR the comic (which is, as fine an adaptation it is, is much better than the film). The comic is what it’s all about; it does things the movie could never do (and I love that film). Anyway, the world is, indeed, a sadder and may I say dumber place without his down-to-earth, no bullshit wit and intelligence. I will so miss enjoying what Harvey Pekar has to say about the world. Really. It’s a devastating loss.
I loved his comics!
My condolences to his family and friends
I really loved AMERICAN SPLENDOR and thought that the filmmakers did justice to him and his worldview