RIP Batton Lash

A major talent in the comics industry has left us. BATTON LASH, best known for his series WOLFF AND BYRD/SUPERNATURAL LAW passed away after a remissive bout with brain cancer. I first met Batton back in 1990 at San Diego con, when he was promoting a collection of his strip, WOLFF AND BYRD, which showed a brilliant amount of talent in both art and writing. We became friends, and corresponded off and on between conventions during which not only did his success grow, but he also met an amazing woman named Jackie Estrada, who he soon married, which led to a publishing venture called EXHIBIT A PRESS in which he self-published 40 issues of SUPERNATURAL LAW, as well was wrtiting for ARCHIE (anyone remember ARCHIE MEETS THE PUNISHER?) and creating LAST GENTLEMAN of the APOCALYPSE for ACES WEEKLY . Admittedly, we were kind of out of touch the past several years outside of Facebook (SD Is kinda out of my reach these days) But Batton was not only one of the nicest people I had ever met, He definitely was one of the most talented. His art was excellent. and his writing..He KNEW how to craft a story, and his characterization was top-notch. And yes, he was a snappy dresser. (Well, anyone who knew Batton had to realize that, right?) Batton was always highly supportive of my work. We both were contributors to THE COMIC BUYER'S GUIDE, and he actually was a fan of my strip, FOR ART'S SAKE. He even invited me to contribute a "Pin-up" page for one of his books, which is posted below. (From MAVIS #2, April 1999)
I'll miss you, Batton. Thank you.

RIP Stan Lee

Stan Lee, Writer, Publisher, Figurehead,  and one of the biggest influences and creative forces in the evolution of today's modern comics books has left us today at the age of 95. 'Nuff said.

Mort Walker: 1923-2018

Mort Walker, one of the great and most prolific classic cartoonists has left us. Walker was responsible for the long-running BEETLE BAILEY comic strip as well as its spinoff, HI AND LOIS. Walker also  created many other strips including BONER'S ARK, SAM'S STRIP,  MRS. FITZ'S FLATS, THE EVERMORE, and GAMIN AND PATCHES.

Salem News: Barbara Anderson; RIP

Barbara Anderson, Chairwoman of Citizens for Limited Taxation, and one of Massachusetts' most vocal and influential advocates towards reining in state government spending, passed away this past Friday. (My cartoon from the 04/13/2016 SALEM NEWS)

Salem News: Robin Williams; 1951-2014

Originally published in the 08/13/2014 SALEM NEWS. It's so sad that the funniest people can have the most tragic fates. May you have found peace, Mr. Williams.

R.I.P; Jane Henson

Jane Henson,wife of MUPPETS creator Jim Henson just passed away after a bout with cancer. She was with Jim from the very beginning of his career, being his co-puppeteer during the earliest years of the Muppets, most notably SAM and FRIENDS. Though she eventually gave up full-time performing, she continued to be involved in many Henson projects beyond Jim's death and until hers, active in puppetry promotion and THE JIM HENSON LEGACY. I had met Jane Henson twice. The second time was at the Paley museum in New York, during a special showing of newly- found Henson material. The FIRST time, however, was after the performance of THE MUPPET SHOW LIVE (the tail end of MUPPETFEST) Me and two others, Bill and Bragi, were down in the good seats (because Bill did high bid during the midshow auction) and we stayed after the show ended to schmooze a bit. The most memorable - and hilarious- sight I saw was Jane actually came out to her son Brian and then PROCEEDED TO SCOLD HIM over his choice of the Kermit puppet they had used during the show's final number! Mother of the Muppets ,indeed! We DID get talk to her after, and she was a sweet and very spirited lady! Thank you and rest in peace, Ms. Henson.

Neil Armstrong: 1930-2012

Published in the SALEM (MA) NEWS 08/30/2012: The SALEM NEWS editorial page ran a special tribute article about first man on the moon Neil Armstrong and used my cartoon to illustrate it..

Jerry Nelson: 1938-2012

Another of the greats has just left us. JERRY NELSON, one of the original Muppet Performers has passed away. Jerry was the creative force behind SESAME STREET'S Count Von Count, Herry Monster, Amazing Mumford, Biff, THE MUPPET SHOW'S Floyd Pepper, Robin the Frog, Lew Zealand, FRAGGLE ROCK'S Gobo, Majory the Trash Heap, Pa Gorg, and numerous more other characters on those shows as well as many others than even The COUNT himself could Count.. He was also a talented singer/musician, and even put out a CD of his own, TURUO DAYDREAMS. I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry in person twice, during THE MUPPET SHOW LIVE at MUPPETFEST and at the NY MUSEUM OF TV AND RADIO, and both those times he was nothing less than awesome. My deepest condolences to the Nelson family and all of his closest associates. The man will be missed, but definitely not forgotten. Jerry once stated that he got into puppetry by lying and wearing cowboy boots.that inspired this little tribute..And I'm honored that he appreciated my work..Thank you for everything, Jerry.