Comments on: RIP Rory Root http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:33:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v= hourly 1 By: how do video games effect teens http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39436 how do video games effect teens Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:07:48 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39436 <strong>how do video games effect teens...</strong> How does the rss feed work so I can get updated on your blog?... how do video games effect teens…

How does the rss feed work so I can get updated on your blog?…

]]> By: Funkateer Ralph http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39435 Funkateer Ralph Wed, 21 May 2008 05:58:14 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39435 Rory was one of the few folks in this business that I enjoyed talking shop with. It's going to be strange not seeing him at his booth at the conventions. Comics and Retailing has lost a true original!, Funkateer Ralph Rory was one of the few folks in this business that I enjoyed talking shop with.
It’s going to be strange not seeing him at his booth at the conventions.

Comics and Retailing has lost a true original!,
Funkateer Ralph

]]> By: Larry Brown http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39434 Larry Brown Tue, 20 May 2008 22:23:39 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39434 Rory was my friend. I can only hope I was the same in return. I want to say more but I can not properly express my grief in words. All I can say is he was my friend and I will him. I wish Todd and the rest of the Comic Relief staff the best during this time of mourning. Rory was my friend. I can only hope I was the same in return. I want to say more but I can not properly express my grief in words. All I can say is he was my friend and I will him.

I wish Todd and the rest of the Comic Relief staff the best during this time of mourning.

]]> By: Christian Gossett http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39433 Christian Gossett Tue, 20 May 2008 18:45:16 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39433 Rest in Peace, Rory Root. Thank you for having been such a great person. Thank you for having been my local retailer at such a critical time in my career. Thank you for being one of the people that made me happy to work in comics. I'll miss you. Rest in Peace, Rory Root.

Thank you for having been such a great person.

Thank you for having been my local retailer at such a critical time in my career.

Thank you for being one of the people that made me happy to work in comics.

I’ll miss you.

]]> By: Mike Friedrich http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39432 Mike Friedrich Tue, 20 May 2008 17:29:51 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39432 A huge hunk of my life has just been suddenly ripped away. I'll miss Rory a lot. A huge hunk of my life has just been suddenly ripped away. I’ll miss Rory a lot.

]]> By: David Scroggy http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39431 David Scroggy Tue, 20 May 2008 17:29:12 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39431 I am sad to hear about Rory's passing. In the early days of Comic Book Expo, he was always a strong contributor of ideas for programs that would use the event to improve and elevate the retailers. He was vocal about industry issues, but always reasonable in his approach to them. His passion for the graphic story was equalled by his encyclopedic knowledge of the medium in all its myriad forms. And he supported it, as well, investing in new artists, publishers, foreign editions, small press and all the rest. He had a knack for knowing which material would be of interest to which readers, and tirelessly cross-pollinated worthwhile material among fans and professionals who would likely never have encountered it except for Rory. I remember in the early 1990's when "raves" were happening around San Diego. These events were held in old warehouses and other venues of that sort, and were promoted with colorful little cards that would appear in hipster locations a day or two prior to the event. Although I never actually went to any, I started saving these colorful cards, as they seemed like a neat pop culture item reflective of a certain time and place. I mentioned this to Rory when I saw him at a convention somewhere, and lo and behold, he was doing the same thing up in Berkeley. So we started swapping them, each sending the other big manilla envelopes full of our local cards. Rory was quite taken with the purity of it all- while obviously collectible, there was no dollar value attached to any of it. It was just fun. And that's what made it pure, and therefore Rory's kind of thing. That type of pure love for the medium is all too rare on the business side, it seems. It is our loss that a little bit of our collective self has moved on. I am sad to hear about Rory’s passing. In the early days of Comic Book Expo, he was always a strong contributor of ideas for programs that would use the event to improve and elevate the retailers. He was vocal about industry issues, but always reasonable in his approach to them.

His passion for the graphic story was equalled by his encyclopedic knowledge of the medium in all its myriad forms. And he supported it, as well, investing in new artists, publishers, foreign editions, small press and all the rest. He had a knack for knowing which material would be of interest to which readers, and tirelessly cross-pollinated worthwhile material among fans and professionals who would likely never have encountered it except for Rory.

I remember in the early 1990’s when “raves” were happening around San Diego. These events were held in old warehouses and other venues of that sort, and were promoted with colorful little cards that would appear in hipster locations a day or two prior to the event. Although I never actually went to any, I started saving these colorful cards, as they seemed like a neat pop culture item reflective of a certain time and place.

I mentioned this to Rory when I saw him at a convention somewhere, and lo and behold, he was doing the same thing up in Berkeley. So we started swapping them, each sending the other big manilla envelopes full of our local cards. Rory was quite taken with the purity of it all- while obviously collectible, there was no dollar value attached to any of it. It was just fun. And that’s what made it pure, and therefore Rory’s kind of thing.

That type of pure love for the medium is all too rare on the business side, it seems. It is our loss that a little bit of our collective self has moved on.

]]> By: Rob Osborne http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39430 Rob Osborne Tue, 20 May 2008 16:49:39 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39430 It's amazing to see the impact that Rory Root has had on the comics community. He was a titan. And he will be missed. But his impact will be lasting. I'd like to share a personal anecdote about Rory. I met him at the San Diego Comic-Con. At the Comic Relief booth, I showed him my mini-comics. 1000 STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION. On the spot, he offered to buy ten copies of each issue. That was (40) copies of my little books. And God bless him, I left there walking on air because of his generosity. A couple years ago I was in Berkeley and got to see Comic Relief. A stunning array of comic books and graphic novels. His store demonstrated his love of the medium and his support for independent comics. He set the bar very high. Godspeed, Rory Root. It’s amazing to see the impact that Rory Root has had on the comics community. He was a titan. And he will be missed. But his impact will be lasting.

I’d like to share a personal anecdote about Rory. I met him at the San Diego Comic-Con. At the Comic Relief booth, I showed him my mini-comics. 1000 STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION. On the spot, he offered to buy ten copies of each issue. That was (40) copies of my little books. And God bless him, I left there walking on air because of his generosity.

A couple years ago I was in Berkeley and got to see Comic Relief. A stunning array of comic books and graphic novels. His store demonstrated his love of the medium and his support for independent comics. He set the bar very high.

Godspeed, Rory Root.

]]> By: Sharon Cho http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39429 Sharon Cho Tue, 20 May 2008 15:48:10 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39429 Alex Amado called me up last night with the sad news. Rory, there was so much to thank you for, I only hope the many times I walked into your store and walked out buying $200-300 worth of graphic novels helped. You were indeed a force of nature around for comics and you will be missed, even from ex-comics pros. Many were the days of tough, energy-sapping days at conventions, only to walk out for a cigarette and see you on the sidewalk with your mug of coffee and a grin on your face. My walk would speed up as you raised your hand in a gesture of greeting, even as you continued your conversations with three or four people standing around you. I knew around you, there were always interesting conversations AND somehow, by the end of my cigarette, I would feel revitalized and ready to face the masses again. Thank you, Rory. Alex Amado called me up last night with the sad news. Rory, there was so much to thank you for, I only hope the many times I walked into your store and walked out buying $200-300 worth of graphic novels helped. You were indeed a force of nature around for comics and you will be missed, even from ex-comics pros. Many were the days of tough, energy-sapping days at conventions, only to walk out for a cigarette and see you on the sidewalk with your mug of coffee and a grin on your face. My walk would speed up as you raised your hand in a gesture of greeting, even as you continued your conversations with three or four people standing around you. I knew around you, there were always interesting conversations AND somehow, by the end of my cigarette, I would feel revitalized and ready to face the masses again. Thank you, Rory.

]]> By: Kat Kan http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39428 Kat Kan Tue, 20 May 2008 15:15:18 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39428 Rory helped so many libraries and librarians back when not so many of them were carrying graphic novels and comics. Back in the years before every professional library journal carried graphic novel reviews, he promoted them for libraries. When we met and worked together for one day at the 2001 ALA Annual Conference, he gave me so much good advice and encouragement, he recommended even more graphic novels for me to read (I was already reading a lot, writing the first ongoing graphic novel column in library literature and reviewing for Diamond's website for librarians and educators). I also watched him deal with a lot of different librarians, some enthusiastic, some not so - and he treated each and every one of them with kindness and respect. I totally agree with Rich Johnson about the honorary Eisner. Rory was a visionary, and we librarians benefited greatly from his vision and passion. Rory helped so many libraries and librarians back when not so many of them were carrying graphic novels and comics. Back in the years before every professional library journal carried graphic novel reviews, he promoted them for libraries. When we met and worked together for one day at the 2001 ALA Annual Conference, he gave me so much good advice and encouragement, he recommended even more graphic novels for me to read (I was already reading a lot, writing the first ongoing graphic novel column in library literature and reviewing for Diamond’s website for librarians and educators). I also watched him deal with a lot of different librarians, some enthusiastic, some not so – and he treated each and every one of them with kindness and respect.

I totally agree with Rich Johnson about the honorary Eisner. Rory was a visionary, and we librarians benefited greatly from his vision and passion.

]]> By: Jackie Estrada http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39427 Jackie Estrada Tue, 20 May 2008 15:06:43 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39427 I am still in shock. I'd like to echo everything Lee Hester said about Rory. He's just always been there, since the real direct market came into existence, doing his best to set the standard for everyone. As I recall, his store was the first to receive the Will Eisner Retailer Award. Rory was a pioneer in working with librarians and getting them involved with graphic novels, including putting together a recommended reading list that I remember using back in the late 1990s, so that's another area where he helped to advance our industry and artform. I just can't imagine Comic-Con without him. I am still in shock. I’d like to echo everything Lee Hester said about Rory. He’s just always been there, since the real direct market came into existence, doing his best to set the standard for everyone. As I recall, his store was the first to receive the Will Eisner Retailer Award.

Rory was a pioneer in working with librarians and getting them involved with graphic novels, including putting together a recommended reading list that I remember using back in the late 1990s, so that’s another area where he helped to advance our industry and artform.

I just can’t imagine Comic-Con without him.

]]> By: Jim Higgins http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39426 Jim Higgins Tue, 20 May 2008 13:47:44 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39426 This is just really bad. I hate having to think about it but of course I will. Rory deserves to have this many people thinking about him. Him dying young is bullshit and a goddamn shame. Rory was a good man. This is just really bad. I hate having to think about it but of course I will. Rory deserves to have this many people thinking about him. Him dying young is bullshit and a goddamn shame. Rory was a good man.

]]> By: Rich Johnson http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39425 Rich Johnson Tue, 20 May 2008 13:44:38 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39425 I met Rory back in my early days working at DC Comics when I was attending ALA and BEA for the company and was amazingly impressed by him. He just got it. He was an advocate for this medium like no other. The fact that he exhibited at a library conference and saw that there was growth potential for graphic novels in that market was - at the time - groundbreaking. I think there are a handful of people who deserve an honorary Eisner for their work in promoting the medium and for seeing what the future could be and Rory is one of them. I met Rory back in my early days working at DC Comics when I was attending ALA and BEA for the company and was amazingly impressed by him. He just got it. He was an advocate for this medium like no other. The fact that he exhibited at a library conference and saw that there was growth potential for graphic novels in that market was – at the time – groundbreaking. I think there are a handful of people who deserve an honorary Eisner for their work in promoting the medium and for seeing what the future could be and Rory is one of them.

]]> By: Tony Lee http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39424 Tony Lee Tue, 20 May 2008 09:06:26 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39424 Everything I want to say about Rory has been said so many times by the people above me. Rory was a comics star, a legend in retail and seeing him was always one of my San Diego highlights. Gutted. Utterly gutted. Everything I want to say about Rory has been said so many times by the people above me. Rory was a comics star, a legend in retail and seeing him was always one of my San Diego highlights.

Gutted. Utterly gutted.

]]> By: Jimmie Robinson http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39423 Jimmie Robinson Tue, 20 May 2008 08:58:36 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39423 Rory was a noble spirit in the world of retailers, but he was also a tough fighter for the diversity of comics and the potential they had. His program of trades into libraries was just one of many touches by Rory that continues to live on. I knew him on a business and personal level. Been to his house, ate at his table, played poker, marveled at his collection of books from floor-to-ceiling in every room. He did not simply sell comics. He lived it with a passion. It is an unfair world. Rory is already being missed. Rory was a noble spirit in the world of retailers, but he was also a tough fighter for the diversity of comics and the potential they had. His program of trades into libraries was just one of many touches by Rory that continues to live on.

I knew him on a business and personal level. Been to his house, ate at his table, played poker, marveled at his collection of books from floor-to-ceiling in every room. He did not simply sell comics. He lived it with a passion.

It is an unfair world. Rory is already being missed.

]]> By: Jeremy Atkins http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39422 Jeremy Atkins Tue, 20 May 2008 06:55:53 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2008/05/19/rip-rory-root/#comment-39422 Rory is one of those people that try as you may, you could never say anything negative about. In a time when I had turned away from comics, Rory brought me back. I worked next door to him everyday for close to a year, and shared many a cup of coffee, or tea, soda, etc. every year since. Rory embodied all the things that I love about comics, both as a community and as a medium. He offered me support and guidance from the time I started at Dark Horse, and I will miss him when I sit on the steps of the San Diego Convention Center this and every year from now on. Rory is truly one to make us all hope there is a heaven. Life for the rest of us will never be the same. Rest in peace, old friend... Rory is one of those people that try as you may, you could never say anything negative about. In a time when I had turned away from comics, Rory brought me back. I worked next door to him everyday for close to a year, and shared many a cup of coffee, or tea, soda, etc. every year since. Rory embodied all the things that I love about comics, both as a community and as a medium.

He offered me support and guidance from the time I started at Dark Horse, and I will miss him when I sit on the steps of the San Diego Convention Center this and every year from now on.

Rory is truly one to make us all hope there is a heaven.

Life for the rest of us will never be the same.

Rest in peace, old friend…

]]>