RIP Rich Buckler

I really, really hate writing this one. You've probably already heard that Rich Buckler passed away this past Friday, May 19 after a battle with cancer. I found out Saturday and my heart just broke. Rich was one of my early favorite artists with his art on Robin, Rose and Thorn, Avengers, Black Panther, and then Fantastic Four, Thor, Demon Hunter, and especially Deathlok. His post-Groovy Age art on World's Finest and later All-Star Squadron and Archie's Red Circle line were among my favorite comics as well. Rich's art was always an extra-special treat for me.

 A few years ago, thanks to this very blog, I got to "meet" Rich via e-mail and Facebook. Rich even wrote a passel of posts for us on and off for a while. I was happy/pleased/thrilled/keep on adding adjectives when Rich VOLUNTEERED to do those Groovy Guest posts. It was such an honor to get those messages and e-mails, to have him pour out his soul with those posts, send me the art he wanted to illustrate them, and then to trust me--and even compliment me on how great the posts looked.

I am so thankful that I got to tell Rich directly through messages and e-mails and indirectly through this blog just how much he meant to me. It was more than I could have ever dreamed of as a fan. Godspeed, Rich. You were a master and a gentleman. Thank you for...

And so very, very much more.

If you'd like to do something wonderful in Rich's memory, please consider joining Clifford Meth's  GoFundMe efforts to set up a scholarship in Rich's name at the Kubert School.