The ‘Ringo
My son Raistlin walked up to me last week, handing back one of my collected editions I had let him borrow.
“So did you like it?,” I asked. I always ask, ’cause I’m always looking to learn more about what he likes in comics. My job as a comic fan and Dad, after all.
And he says to me, “Yeah, I liked it.”
But then - and this is rare for Raistlin, who usually delivers only the most succinct of graphic novel opinions - continued to opine of his own accord.
“The artwork is really cool - it’s like a cartoon.”
Up to this point, Raistlin always seemed to read comics to read comics, to the point where I sometimes wondered if he’d be happier if comics were written in simple prose. For him, the artwork always seemed to be secondary.
So having paid attention to the art style this time, much less commenting on it - well, it must have made an impression.
Raistlin had just finished Waid/Wieringo’s oversized hardcover, Fantastic Four Volume 1.
Returning the book to its place on the bookshelf, I felt an odd mix of emotion.
A renewed sadness of Mike having passed away.
But a thankfulness knowing Mike’s artwork - and through the artwork, Mike himself - would not only always be around to impress, amaze and entertain today’s comic fans, but to make new fans as well.
Including a young boy named Raistlin, age 11, who - while sitting in his bed reading the Fantastic Four one rainy afternoon - came to realize how “really cool” Mike Wieringo and comic book art can be.
So needless to say, I am more than happy to help spread the word about “The ‘Ringo”, a new art scholarship established in Mike Wieringo’s memory.
When Mike Wieringo abruptly passed away last August, the comics industry lost more than a great artist and creator - it lost a friend. Now, Mike’s family has teamed with the Savannah College of Art and Design to create The Mike Wieringo Scholarship or “The ‘Ringo” to help keep his spirit of generosity alive.
Read on for more.
Mike Wieringo Scholarship “The ‘Ringo” Announced
Wieringo’s Friends and Family to Host Special Fundraising Booth at Heroes Con
CHARLOTTE, NC (June 16, 2008) When Mike Wieringo abruptly passed away last August, the comics industry lost more than a great artist and creator - it lost a friend. Now, Mike’s family has teamed with the Savannah College of Art and Design to create The Mike Wieringo Scholarship or “The ‘Ringo” to help keep his spirit of generosity alive.
Created by Mike’s brother Matt and his sister-in-law Suzanne, the ‘Ringo is designed to help provide similar help to artists at the Savannah College of Art and Design or SCAD. Domestic and international students with have a minimum 3.0 grade point average who demonstrate financial need and display a serious interest in pursuing comics as a career are eligible. The scholarship will take effect in the artist’s second year of classes, and is renewable for up to two additional years, provided the student continues to meet the criteria.
The recipient will be chosen from three finalists determined by the college in a portfolio review by Matt and Suzanne Wieringo, along with a rotating group. The ultimate goal for the ‘Ringo is to raise enough funds so that it can cover a full year’s expenses at SCAD, approximately $30,000.
Toward this end, a table staffed by Mike’s family and friends will be set up in his traditional spot in Artists Alley at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC. Heroes was a big part of Mike’s life and career, and was the industry event he most looked forward to every year.
The table will raise funds through donations and the sale of remaining copies of Mike’s sketchbooks, copies of comics featuring Mike’s work, selected pieces of Mike’s original artwork, sketches by Mike’s friends in the industry who will be appearing at the booth, and items donated by other comic professionals. Pros appearing include Jeff Parker, Rich Faber, Craig Rousseau, Todd Dezago, Mark Waid, Cully Hamner, Richard Case and more to be announced.
“SCAD is one of the most impressive programs in the world to focus on the medium of comics,” says Jeff Parker, creator of The Interman and Agents of Atlas, who worked with Mike at Artamus Studios. “I’m pretty sure Mike would have loved to have attended such a place in his student days. It would make an excellent legacy for him if we can grow the Ringo scholarship into a launch pad for the future greats of comics.”
Despite his success on such books as The Flash, Fantastic Four and his own creator-owned Tellos, Mike Wieringo never forgot what it was like to be a struggling creator. For many up-and-comers, Mike served as a mentor and friendly voice, whether it was providing free covers, advice, or just the encouragement to keep going.
With your help, the Mike Wieringo Scholarship can continue to grow and help a new generation of creators get the training and connections they need to start their careers. Mike’s talent, enthusiasm and generosity inspired many in the comics industry to be their best as both creators and as human beings. With your help, Mike will continue to be an inspiration for creators in decades to come.
Thanks,
Andrew Neal
Chapel Hill Comics
412 W Franklin St
(Soon to be 316 W Franklin St)
Chapel Hill, NC 27516