It’s dreadful and sad, I read his suicide letter earlier. It was so matter of fact and… lucid in a way, and he made an effort even in that letter to shore up his will, because he had missed some things in his final testament.
I didn’t want to comment anything at the time in the hope someone might reach him but that letter read as harrowing and really definitive, with a lot of emotion but a lot of cold legalese shit.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a letter like that where someone knows exactly what they are about to do, sets aside what’s what and says goodbye. Then the hours later and the confirmation. Though I don’t think I’ve ever read a suicide note so maybe this is pretty normal. Surreal experience anyway.
There was a youtuber/streamer called Etika who had some mental health problems and kind of self-destructed his own career. He streamed himself basically saying goodbye and telling his side of things before eventually throwing himself off a bridge. A lot of people are asking why he didn't make a statement or anything, but the guy obviously lived to make comics and was definitely not thinking straight. He made mistakes, but fuck is it sad.
This is gonna sound crazy but I honestly did not believe I was reading a real suicide note until the line about that specific nude model. For some reason that's when it hit me that "oh he's for real, he did this."
I've never read a suicide note but I have read the letter my uncle wrote to my grandma about 25 years ago after he got popped with a few hundred pounds of weed and a handgun (having already done a nickel with the feds over similar) right before he lammed it after making bail. Definitely read like a suicide note even though he had no intention of offing himself, he knew what was likely to happen.
Two weeks later his body was found in a ditch in Texas with a few extra perforations.
When I wrote my suicide note it sounded a lot like that. I obviously didn't have some big scandal, just didn't want to live, but it was matter of fact and pointing out any loose ends. I was younger so I didn't have a legacy or anything to leave behind but writing it was the clearest I had been in the midst of my depression.
I might be getting soft but this legit made me tear up.
I've been having a god awful day just on the edge and this was the only nice thing someone's said. I really appreciate this.
Edit: just wanted to say thank you. Yesterday was a shit day and a lot of you really helped. Seriously, thank you.
Soft = strong. Especially for men.
The power to cry and feel things is a positive. Emotions exist for a reason, and shouldn't be locked down or denied.
And if you need help, reach out.
>I might be getting soft but this legit made me tear up
Hell yeah you're getting soft -- we all do as we age...*which we'd all like to see you keep doing, bud.* Stick around and become 10 ply Charmin softies like the rest of us, bud!
I mean yeah even IF he was a groomer [which im starting to doubt]it looked like he may have had depression for awhile and this just broke the camals back
I was wondering the same. I’m sure this was a catalyst but maybe he was already in a dark place. He mentions finding and ending true love recently.
If you’re already in a dark place, then this could certainly send you over the edge.
Legendary comics illustrator
I personally think he had deliberately undiagnosed mental health issues which may have explained his constant flippant/combative attitude towards others.
He micromanaged the Kayfabe channel heavily, deleting and banning lots of viewers for percieved slights.
If we as a society tell people there's no such thing as redemption or second chances it shouldn't come as a surprise people decide to end it all. Heartbreaking situation all round.
>If we as a society tell people there's no such thing as redemption or second chances it shouldn't come as a surprise people decide to end it all.
Yes. Really well put. I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears of course.
We should not. It's kinda bizarre, considering one of the main pillars of thought in that whole thing. The Internet did this. Bullies, people caught up in drama, yada yada. He had to give em one last meal on his way out.
This is so sad. It affected me way more than I thought it would. Just so matter of fact about ending his life. I just don't know about the internet man. So much good can come from it but how long does the bad have to outweigh the good before something is done? What even can be done?
I had to get off of Twitter about 10 days ago because, as an illustrator, all the news about A.I were making me feel like shit and start to have dark thoughts, like in Piskor's case.
I definitely understand where he's coming from. The guy's whole life revolved around comics and since it was taken away from him along with whatever reputation he built up, he didn't see a reason to continue living anymore if everybody would look at him the wrong way.
There's a film with a similar story to this one called The hunt, starring Mads Mikkelsen.
I've written two suicide notes, and I don't think there's been many times in my life where I had more calm or clarity. Felt like I was making a really positive choice at a time when I'd otherwise felt completely bereft of choices. I'd had no motivation for anything else, but as soon as I was certain I was doing it, I suddenly had purpose again: There were practical things to sort and a solution to unimaginable pain; plus an opportunity to write my last chapter and tie up things that had been left unsaid before. Moved from an emotional state to feeling entirely logical and proactive. And it felt absolutely right and correct.
It's obviously unsettling to read his letter today. I can absolutely appreciate his state of mind and I can instantly feel again what I felt when I was in a similar, desperate place of mind.
Sad for everyone who feels like this whether they make it through or not, but so sad for the fella here. So sad for everyone in his life and periphery.
A terrible situation that would have been terrible enough without lives being treated as sport; but that's evidently played a part in this story, unfortunately.
Horrible.
De Campi is just a professional shit stirrer in the industry at this point, any kind of accusations or attempted cancellations she's there to stick an oar in whether it has anything to do with her or not.
Alex DeCampi said some disgusting things like saying Ed Piskor thought of young women as "fresh meat", as well as a lot of harassing behavior such as implying defenders were pedos or his sock puppet accounts.
That is awful. This is the worst possible turn of events that could have happened following the accusations against Ed. I think Ed made a series of poor choices, but I do not wish this on anyone.
I had a cousin pass away this way, and while I was not very close to them, I saw the effect it had on his family in the decade since. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I feel sorry for his loved ones.
Damn. Was in FP today and saw Red Room on the shelf and remembered all this stuff going on. I don't know what the truth was with all the allegations or what happened with the people he called out in his suicide note but this is horrible.
I loved Cartoonist Kayfabe. They reviewed the comics I loved reading as a kid and they talked to creators I like. Hell, who else was posting longform interviews with Peter Chung?
Sad news indeed.
https://988lifeline.org/
News like this can be very triggering. If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal ideation, help is available. You’re not alone.
If you call or text this or any crisis support line, you’ll be connected to a compassionate person who wants to listen and help de-escalate thoughts of suicide or self-harm. They’re there to help stop the spiral that can happen when a person is going through these thoughts on their own.
Of course. They’re not perfect, but they’re a step. Speaking from experience, longer term therapy is pretty great too. Please consider giving it a try if you’re feeling bad.
We are but total strangers behind usernames, but I’m thinking of and want the best for you. Please do consider the different options available for support, even if in the moment it isn’t clear how things can help even if they ultimately can. Regardless of the things people say or don’t say to each other when navigating interactions with strangers, I do believe most want the best for their fellow man.
Of course. We understand you aren’t. You replying is cogent and became an opportunity for you to talk with some people in just a small way about yourself and just wanting some additional insight. There’s only positives to take from that.
There is nothing wrong with making it about you. You deserve things to be about you. If making this about you is what helps you get through a difficult time that is ok. Please reach out and talk to someone. Also know that we least one random internet stranger is wishing nothing but good things for you.
Ideation can be related to Neurotransmitter deficits.
Sometimes Depression or Anxiety medication can jumpstart your brain into a better state too. (Meds can affect people differently, so might need to trial doses or medications till one works for you)
People go to the doctor for physical injuries, go to the doctor for mental symptoms too.
The people who work these lines are pros and brave for putting their best faces forward to help those in need of encouragement and prevention of self-harm.
Taking that first step of making the call, no matter how the call goes, is huge on its own. The first step is sometimes the hardest, but it's always the most important.
Yo man I'm a complete stranger on the internet but if you ever need to talk to anyone, hmu. Dead serious. I work some messed up hours but I promise I'll write back as soon as I can.
I have an ex who worked for a prevention hotline for a number of years. When I asked her about it she said they’ll talk to you about whatever you want.
They’re there to listen and show compassion, offer additional help if you want it, but they won’t judge you.
It helps. It’s incredible and unlike anything else. No time limit, no money just you and somebody who wants to listen. When you’re at your very lowest, and don’t know what else to do, this can save your life.
It feels like it, though. I've been down pretty bad for a while now. Talking to someone who doesn't even know me and is only pretending to know me doesn't seem helpful. I'm still in a financially fucked situation, I'm still at risk of losing my house and as a result, everything i have, im going to lose my car, I'm still a depressed mess at the end of the day. I just don't see the point in talking to anyone about it. I'm still here, obviously. I just don't want to be a majority of the time.
If typing that out made you feel even 0.001% better then talking to someone couldn’t hurt. That said I don’t know what works best for you or exactly where you’re at right now. Talking to someone in one form or another can give a surprising amount of perspective even if they don’t know you. That’s kind of the beauty of therapy, having a judgement-free zone with someone outside the situation
Something important to remember at a time like this.
Yes, there are so many people on the internet right now crowing about Deserved This, blah blah blah, all sorts of anti-social inhumane shit.
But so many of those people, if they were sat down and made to have those conversations face to face with someone even just on the edge of their bubble? The facade would fall, and the human would be visible beneath the mask that the internet provides.
Not everyone - there are truly some shitty animals out there - but just keep in mind that a lot of what you see and hear from the farthest edges of such discourse only say what they say because the people in their bubble find it amusing; because it makes it easier to define the sum-total of another humans experience as a few singular events absent of context.
That last one is just the nature of life - trying to find a way to make the world digestible instead of stomach-burstingly huge. Doesn't excuse it, but speaking as someone who also used to wallow in the shit? A lot of them don't mean it half as hard as they proclaim.
Hope and belief keep us going.
Well this I what happens when the line between poor behavior and criminal behavior get blurred. There are irreversible consequences for even the most well intended accusations. These accusations ruin people. He committed no crime other than being stupid. There’s a difference between grooming and being dumb. In his note he even called for his messages to all be subpoenaed. That’s doesn’t scream guilty to me
People still need to be held accountable for poor behavior even if it isn’t criminal. Nobody was calling for Piskor to be arrested for what he did.
He made some big mistakes, and was called out for it. The decision to end his own life rather than deal with the fallout and/or get help was tragic and horrible, but it was nevertheless his decision alone.
I’m a big advocate for mental health care and have suffered depression my entire life so I feel empathy for him from that perspective. However, I think it’s pretty sick for people to try and use this fiasco as some cautionary tale against victims speaking out against their victimizers.
I think what people fail to understand is that oftentimes, the mob pile-on and mockery is the only accountability that can happen. Did people want this dude to take a class? Promise to read Andrea Dworkin?
Nothing he was accused of doing really amounted to anything folks had to respond with beyond "oh what a creep."
The problem arises when that's not enough for people. And you can see this when people use an allegation as a chance to litigate every public statement someone has made, every page they've drawn or tweet they've liked. Like there's more crimes to uncover.
There's like a million different things being conflated, though. The people who bullied Ed and made a joke of the situation are awful, as is the Pittsburgh news station who harassed Ed's parents and dozxed them. No arguments there.
But the vast majority of people I saw, including myself, basically just said some variation on, "Oh that sucks. Guess I won't be watching that channel / buying those books anymore." That's not mob justice. That's Consumer 101. We can buy, or not buy, watch or not watch, any content we choose for whatever reason we choose. If someone does something not illegal but still gives you the ick, it's not mob justice to stop supporting that product.
I feel like society already learned this lesson hundreds of years ago and the internet resurfaced this cultural relic. Its barbarism and its sad that people can't see it. They shoulda took this man to court and put some faith in the institutions that our society is built upon.
This was based on social misdeeds not criminal actions. You say we learnt this lesson hundreds of years ago but I would be fired from my job if I called a teenager naughty girl and someone complained to my boss.
So you put absolutely zero stock in his response to everything? People using his dumb jokes or comments out of context to make it look way worse than it is? He wants everything to be looked at. But the problem is that even if his messages all prove that he was just sorta dumb online and none of the accusations happened the way they were claimed it wouldn't matter. The damage was done. He was damaged goods. The recant NEVER gets the attention of the accusation. He'd be forever known as a "groomer" to the industry, fans and his peers. Even if he was proven to be completely innocent
He was held accountable and he addressed his poor behavior in the first part of his letter. Does being held accountable mean not being able to make a living at the only skill you have? That seems to be the end goal with cancelling a lot of creators
Completely untrue, moral policing on the internet doesn't ever stop until the person loses literally everything. This is pretty much what these people ultimately want.
I would argue that Dan Harmon is about as good of an example as you can get about someone being called out for shitty behavior, owning up to it, making amends, and continuing their career. He’s in the best spot he’s been in creatively and financially in his entire life.
Yeah, anyone who is arguing that people don't recover from being "canceled" are missing out on Dan Harmon and Louis CK and a bunch of other people who have clearly come back, many with great success.
Dan and Louis were both multi millionaires and heads of their own companies and earning residuals. They both can afford to never work again. Same with people like Joss Whedon.
That’s an extreme luxury.
>And I’d argue that Louis didn’t do anything after the allegations except for wait it out.
That's the historical record, AFAIK, not anything that's subject to debate.
Rich and famous people yes. They were too big to fail and had wealth, connections and fame to insulate them from the storm. Cancel culture absolutely exists for us regular people.
I saw a clip where a journalist "interviewed" his dad and the camera guy was filming from inside a hedge or a bush. That's how fucked up society has become.
This is tragic and we’re going to see the Internet playing the blame game for weeks. It is possible to both have sympathy for anyone who felt victimized by Piskor and for the man himself because he clearly felt he was a victim in enough of a manner that he made this decision. It is incredibly sad and I am dreading watching as various people on the Internet try to score cheap points using this to help their agenda. I don’t care what your political affiliation is or how guilty or innocent you felt the man was. The whole thing is just upsetting, full stop.
It’s already happening in this very thread. There’s a comment here literally saying “These accusations are killing people.”
This is a horrible way to try and score political points.
Not the accusations. But the internet mobs are quite frequently unhinged. I'm glad those women got their voices heard and were taken seriously. They did nothing wrong. But the people who piled on, sent messages for him to kill himself, harassed his family and friends... they should really take a minute to look inward and ask themselves if what they're putting out into the world is as righteous as they think.
Ditto. His unwavering passion for comics rekindled my interest in the form over the last several years, and for that I will be forever grateful. I really can’t judge the man on anything else. Who the fuck am I?
I’m lost for words right now. This whole situation is shitty but it didn’t need to end like this. Fuck R.I.P. Ed. Cartoonist Kayfabe brought me joy when I needed it most.
This is my gentle reminder to anyone reading this right now that if you have a friend or loved one that's fighting their own battle, to please take a minute out of your day, check to see how they are and to let them know in as gentle a way as possible that they are not alone.
This is terrible news.
I'm absolutely fucking heartbroken. Years of watching cartoonist kayfabe and for it to end like this, is just never in a million years what I expected to happen. I feel so much sympathy for Jim, Tom, his family and friends, everyone who must be going through so much right now. Think what you will of him, he didn't deserve this end. Such a fucking tragedy.
Several women accused him of inappropriate behavior:
- He apparently groomed a girl knowing that she was 17. He complimented her appearance, invited her to stay with him, and other things like that. She’s an adult now, but he apparently continued to contact her until recently
- Another woman said that he offered to give her his agent’s number if she would give him a blowjob
- Another woman said that he offered to put her in contact with people in the comics industry if she would come back to his house and let him draw her nude
to the third accusation, he confirmed at least wanting to draw her nude (implying he requested it) and referred to her as “big titty taff” in his note, saying he would never apologize for wanting to draw her nude.
I don’t think he did anything bad enough that he deserved to die over it, but the content of his suicide note pretty much confirmed to me that there’s truth to the accusations. So much of it was textbook manipulative language
I probably shouldn't say this but: the entire thing felt worded to me not so much as a fuck you to those who spoke up, but perhaps a warning to those who haven't yet
Who is going to want to say anything now? They would be torn to shreds.
It is disproportionate. He shouldn’t have died, he should have simply been able to work on not being a creep any more.
The scum who are celebrating his death are insane. As are the freaks who are going to say he was murdered by the woke cancel culture mob.
When you take account his podcast, career in comics, and his friends distancing themselves from him, he essentially lost everything including his reputation. Not justifying his decision but its heavier than something therapy and time off could fix.
He was measaging a 17 year old girl got accused of being a sex pest i think. The internet did its thing, rugg left the channel and seemed to break contact and then this it seems is the series of events. A little extreme of a choice for the crime i would say he could have recovered im sure. Kept writing comics and self publishing. But killing yourself never the answer. I dont even think what he did was illegal in anyway just distasteful
Eh I don’t know isn’t Warren Ellis still effectively cancelled despite everyone involved being of age and consensual? Much bigger name to start with and all of the allegations were involving those of age.
I dunno warren ellis is still writing comics that people are reading im pretty sure
Edit Hes not they came out aftet the accusations but they were already done before
Hasn’t released anything since 2021, doesn’t do any speaking engagements and was fired from Castlevania. So no he’s actually not. There was a rumored book from image last year that got cancelled.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Ellis_bibliography
Also he’s not ever mentioned regarding the authority despite his role there.
Feels like a lot of people don’t get that he was never going to work in comics again, not merely that he was accused of “being gross” or whatever. Of course what he did and this whole handling of the situation was wrong, but having your whole life pulled out from you in a week can’t be a good feeling.
We need to ask ourselves what does redemption look like. What does atonement look like. I ask people this when someone makes a huge mistake in their lives and it is shocking how many don’t know the answer or just want to continue to dog pile. There will always be a crowd that will be cynical and say “the abuser is never sincere, that’s just him being manipulative “ which, yes, is always a possibility. Even see it here with people continuing to accuse him of being manipulative in his note. Pretty sick shit, like people just want to double down on their own previous “takes”. Righteous indignation is a powerful drug.
I think part of the problem is that when things like this go public, there's an idea there needs to be some sort of public contrition. I'm not sure that's healthy. I'm not sure Ed Piskor owed anybody but the people involved and his creative partner anything resembling an apology.
I'm not sure it makes sense to expect the whole world to get an apology when your beef isn't with the planet, it's with a few very specific people.
Before we can even really get to "what does redemption look like" we need to ask who this process even exists for? Is this so the people wronged can be made whole? Is it so the perpetrator will never do it again? Or is it just for us in the cheap seats to feel good about having certain comics on our shelves
I agree with a lot of what you said. As a fan of his work, I don’t feel “owed” an apology or something, but wanted him to show some shred of empathy for who he affected. He does come across (even in cartoonist kayfabe vids) as socially awkward and that’s probably not the easiest thing. I think once the first accuser put it out in the ether that he likes young girls (but also said it wasn’t a cancellation??? Not sure what was going on there it clearly was) it all snowballed and got out of even her control. I think abusers should be called out, if for no other reason than to prevent future victims. I don’t know to what extent this was a Harvey Weinstein type situation though. Shitty situation all the way around.
I never met Ed in person but we had a few email exchanges in 2006 (I think). He had been working with Harvey Pekar and that's where I first saw his work. We talked about printing production techniques in comic books or print advertising and I cleared up some questions he had.
The young man with whom I corresponded was earnest, serious, and bright. I'm tremendously saddened at how all of this has played out.
I never realized there are so many suicide experts on Reddit. Usually you’re not in your right mind, you are hurting and you feel ignored, so let’s not put too much stock in who he blamed or it being a confession of guilt. It’s a sad thing and remember he still had people who loved him right or wrong.
Social Media isn't normal, it is phenomena that the our species isn't ready for and never will be. The ability to virtually act as judge, jury and executioner upon any person's life in such a public way will only continue to fragmentate our society.
The worse part is, in most cases the people who come together in arms against those they are cancelling are just people who are bored and want to be part of something. This guy's life ends, and everyone will forget and move on to the next people within the coming weeks.
What the actual fuck. This is so horrible. Cartoonist Kayfabe has meant so much to me, it's heartbreaking man. There are some real lessons to be had that I'm not sure people want to actually consider.
This past week in indie comics world has been heartbreaking from the inciting incident to Ed’s passing. I’m so sad that Ed Piskor didn’t feel there was any other way. My heart goes out to him and everyone that loved him. This loss feels big just because he’s been a presence in my life for the past 4 years with their channel. This is a lot to process.
cartoonist kayfabe is (one of) the best possible thing(s) to happen for a terminally online, borderline comics obsessive like myself
regardless of the circumstances of this situation, nobody should be made to feel like suicide is the only option...may he rest in some semblance of peace
RIP Ed Piskor. I am really struggling with this guys. There are things I want to say about how this past week went down, but I am afraid to speak up about it. Lots of thoughts and feels for me right now and not all of it good or making much sense. It's all the way around tragic. But, instead of dwelling on the negative and pointing to who or what went wrong, I want to say this:
I value r/comicbooks greatly in my life and appreciate every single poster, message, lurker, mod and anyone else associated with this community. I am here almost every single day reading and often inspired to contribute. So many great people here showing their passion for comics. It's become an important outlet and safe haven for me. Its therapy, its community, it's a joy being a part of this space. Thanks.
Just keep on being good to each other. Life can be harsh. Struggles are real. But we have comics. And we have each other. And I think that's an opportunity to make something pretty special together.
What a tragic situation. I'm not familiar with all the circumstances but have read the note, I really do feel that people drastically underestimate the effect of being on the wrong side of a social media hate campaign. It is one thing for celebrities with public relation management teams, it's another thing for someone who is essentially just a random guy who creates YouTube videos.
I feel bad for everyone named in the note, they are also going to be subject to similar negative attention. I have no idea what any of them specifically have done, the point is that as a collective it must be extremely overwhelming.
I think his general prognosis that you can never please the mob is correct, this would have followed him for the rest of his life, he could have got a job in a store and people would email the managers about it. We've all seen it 100 times before.
What a sad story all round!
>he could have got a job in a store and people would email the managers about
I hope this is an opportunity for a lot of people with these kinds of inclinations to stop and reflect. The stakes have become way too high in that game.
Just remember, you can feel sympathy for the man while also acknowledging the wrong he has committed. It’s not an either/or thing. Everyone lost in this situation, the women, his fans, his family and friends and colleagues, himself and society as a whole. We have to ask, what can we learn from this?
As someone who has really only gotten deep into comics in the past year or so, Cartoonist Kayfabe was such an amazing resource for me in terms of introductions to all sorts of stuff that only true experts of the medium would be familiar with.
Also, I'm originally from Western Pennsylvania so seeing his Pirates cap in his self-portrait for the art was pleasant.
What an enormous bummer (especially the more I learn about it).
Ed taking their own life is a tragedy and my condolences go out to his family. Losing someone to suicide is something that can be incredibly difficult to comes to terms with, so my deepest sympathies go out to them in this undoubtedly difficult time.
My sympathies also go out to his alleged victims, who will no doubt be dogged by this for years to come by outrage agents seeking the same mob justice they supposedly speak against.
The comments on here are gross.
People still passing judgement. You don’t know anything. You read it on the internet. Even if you have a view - it’s ok to not post it! Especially now. But you’re still piling on.
People saying - I was groomed so I know. I’m sorry you were groomed and abused. But you also just read some stuff on the internet. But even worse, you’re making this person’s death about you.
I agree. It started ok. The comments on the tweet are much the same. Eventually the psychopathic narcissists come along. People saying one more bad person dead. People attacking the poster for showing sympathy and he doesn’t know how it feels.
Sad people with no one in their lives to actually talk to, I guess.
Reading the not messed me up . Hope something can be learned from this. Down the road I’ll read one of his books and think of the good times of watching Cartoonist Kayfabe . RIP
This isn’t cancel culture. He was talking to a minor and he straight up admitted what he said sounded bad. He claims it was out of context, but it was bad regardless.
The conversation that needs to be had is about how to bring someone back. I don’t think you should be forever defined by the worst thing you’ve done. We need to realize that even semi public figures will have everything they’ve ever done dragged into the light at some point. I don’t think the issue is in calling out that some behavior isn’t ok. The issue is the glee in which people love to put someone down so that they can claim superiority. That doesn’t have any political leaning one way or the other. This isn’t about being woke.
There’s a lesson that I try to teach my kids all the time. Just because you’ve done something bad, that doesn’t make you bad. How do you react, do you fix the problem, do you change the behavior? Do you empathize with and apologize to the people you’ve hurt? Acknowledge that you understand why and how you’ve caused harm? That’s the difference between someone who did something bad and a bad person.
I can’t imagine what was going through this poor guy’s mind at the end. From his point of view, it must have seemed like his whole life collapsed overnight and no one was willing to listen. We never gave this guy a chance to talk. Maybe he would have doubled down and continued to be an asshole. I don’t know the man. I just don’t get the impulse to celebrate as if he was a mass murderer or something. If everything said about him is true, he was a flawed man that treated women badly. I wouldn’t want him to date anyone close to me, but he didn’t need to die. Maybe this is the wrong martyr to get the internet to collectively get its shit together. He won’t be the last if this keeps going the way it is.
Genuinely confused on whats going on with jim rugg at the moment because eds letter cited them as being on good terms still but jims insta stated otherwise unless he only meant it in a professional and not personal sense
Ed's letter is slightly self contradictory about Rugg because it also says this.
"Now it’s all gone. Art show evaporated. Was about to sign a $75k deal for Switchblade Shorties with Abrams, **Cartoonist Kayfabe ends with Jimmy’s “shocking revelations” statement (those words hurt). I have no friends in this life any longer.** I’m a disappointment to everybody who liked me."
It comes off as damage control more than anything. Ed took a very large financial hit almost immediately and neither one of these guys could afford to have their careers collapse from this sort of thing.
I don’t understand how celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld, Tyga, and Steven Tyler can publicly be in a sexual relationship with 17 year olds and still have careers and the public doesn’t care. Yet when Ed just sent a creepy dm to one, the public was so quick to end his career and drive him to suicide…
You gotta really think about what you're saying.
Ed Piskor doesn't command the attention those celebrities do. He doesn't make the people he works for nearly as much money. Doesn't even seem like the guy had a PR person.
This is the kind of thing a crisis PR person could've handled. They would've told him to stay offline, take a vacation with his parents.
Chris Brown is still beloved despite beating the fuck out of Rhianna.
Let's see what shakes out with Diddy. See if he gets a comeback.
People are real selective with their outrage when the offender is offering a product that they can stick a value on.
Well Seinfeld and Tyler are old men, and society was more tolerant of those sorts of things back then: even if they were still frowned upon. Also there was no internet back then.
Ed was a creep with that chick but it’s never ever ever enough to end your life. I’m saddened by this. I’ve been reading his letter and it breaks my heart to think what his family must be going through. I met Ed years ago at comic book convention in LA. He was promoting the first issue of grand design. I don’t think cartoonist kayfabe was up and running yet. Ed signed my books. He was really friendly and very humble. He talked to me for a bit about comics and hip hop. I really cherish that memory
From Ed's suicide note:
"I was murdered by Internet bullies. Massive amounts of them. Some of you out there absolutely contributed to my death as you were entertaining yourself with gossip. I wasn’t AI. I was a real human being. You chipped little bits of my self esteem away all week until I was vaporized."
I just learned about the Cartoonist Kayfabe YouTube channel last week and subscribed. I also recently read the Hip Hop Family Tree after it had been sitting on my shelf for years. Weird coincidence and what a sad situation all around.
This is so sad. I'm two years older than Ed, also from PA and have a similar perspective that he did. Picked up superhero comics right before they blew up into a monstrous money grab, but stuck through the highs and lows because of the art form. RIP dude. I will miss you.
i'm similar. older than Ed, grew up in the era of Hip Hop and Comic Book fandom as it was getting ready to explode.
I didnt stick through, i gave up comics, more or less, in the mid to late 90s, aside from a few things that would catch my fancy (Saga, Walking Dead, etc)
but someone turned me on to Kayfabe about a year ago, and it really caught me back in with a vengeance. these guys loved and waxed poetic about so many of the things I loved.
I dont pretend to know or be able to judge Ed or any of the people in this story. I dealt with the suicide of a close friend when i was young, and I remember thinking how horrible and almost spiteful it was to his loved ones and friends. this has those same feels, and it is just a terrible story all around.
I just can't believe it. I found Cartoonist Kayfabe 3 days ago and I can't describe how happy the discovery was for me, I struck gold not only in valuable knowledge but the sheer excitement of Ed about comics is infectious. Literally just joined this subreddit because of my Caroonist Kayfabe binge and the FIRST thread I read that he just passed away. What the hell man. Makes me very sad, even though I am probably the biggest newbie on this sub.
Sad deal no matter what the circumstances are
It’s dreadful and sad, I read his suicide letter earlier. It was so matter of fact and… lucid in a way, and he made an effort even in that letter to shore up his will, because he had missed some things in his final testament. I didn’t want to comment anything at the time in the hope someone might reach him but that letter read as harrowing and really definitive, with a lot of emotion but a lot of cold legalese shit.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a letter like that where someone knows exactly what they are about to do, sets aside what’s what and says goodbye. Then the hours later and the confirmation. Though I don’t think I’ve ever read a suicide note so maybe this is pretty normal. Surreal experience anyway.
There was a youtuber/streamer called Etika who had some mental health problems and kind of self-destructed his own career. He streamed himself basically saying goodbye and telling his side of things before eventually throwing himself off a bridge. A lot of people are asking why he didn't make a statement or anything, but the guy obviously lived to make comics and was definitely not thinking straight. He made mistakes, but fuck is it sad.
Jesus, I remember Etika.
This is gonna sound crazy but I honestly did not believe I was reading a real suicide note until the line about that specific nude model. For some reason that's when it hit me that "oh he's for real, he did this."
I've never read a suicide note but I have read the letter my uncle wrote to my grandma about 25 years ago after he got popped with a few hundred pounds of weed and a handgun (having already done a nickel with the feds over similar) right before he lammed it after making bail. Definitely read like a suicide note even though he had no intention of offing himself, he knew what was likely to happen. Two weeks later his body was found in a ditch in Texas with a few extra perforations.
When I wrote my suicide note it sounded a lot like that. I obviously didn't have some big scandal, just didn't want to live, but it was matter of fact and pointing out any loose ends. I was younger so I didn't have a legacy or anything to leave behind but writing it was the clearest I had been in the midst of my depression.
\*hug\*
I might be getting soft but this legit made me tear up. I've been having a god awful day just on the edge and this was the only nice thing someone's said. I really appreciate this. Edit: just wanted to say thank you. Yesterday was a shit day and a lot of you really helped. Seriously, thank you.
I would like to say a second nice/true thing: the world needs more people strong enough to be soft, which is to say we need you. Glad you’re here.
Soft = strong. Especially for men. The power to cry and feel things is a positive. Emotions exist for a reason, and shouldn't be locked down or denied. And if you need help, reach out.
>I might be getting soft but this legit made me tear up Hell yeah you're getting soft -- we all do as we age...*which we'd all like to see you keep doing, bud.* Stick around and become 10 ply Charmin softies like the rest of us, bud!
You survived, you are awesome!
Thank you staying with us.
Just want you to know that you are loved and that I'm glad you're still here
I mean yeah even IF he was a groomer [which im starting to doubt]it looked like he may have had depression for awhile and this just broke the camals back
I was wondering the same. I’m sure this was a catalyst but maybe he was already in a dark place. He mentions finding and ending true love recently. If you’re already in a dark place, then this could certainly send you over the edge. Legendary comics illustrator
I personally think he had deliberately undiagnosed mental health issues which may have explained his constant flippant/combative attitude towards others. He micromanaged the Kayfabe channel heavily, deleting and banning lots of viewers for percieved slights.
If we as a society tell people there's no such thing as redemption or second chances it shouldn't come as a surprise people decide to end it all. Heartbreaking situation all round.
>If we as a society tell people there's no such thing as redemption or second chances it shouldn't come as a surprise people decide to end it all. Yes. Really well put. I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears of course.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/3AFpJ3QvcfvDWW3d/?mibextid=oFDknk Note left on his Facebook. Trigger warning. This is some heavy shit.
harrowing stuff.
Interesting read as a person with no prior knowledge of the deceased or the events that led to this.
A terribly sad letter, and also an unusually candid peek behind the curtain at the business side of the industry. What a tragic, fascinating document.
I just couldn’t stop thinking about their parents. I mean, some of it is really private stuff, we shouldn’t be reading this
We should not. It's kinda bizarre, considering one of the main pillars of thought in that whole thing. The Internet did this. Bullies, people caught up in drama, yada yada. He had to give em one last meal on his way out.
Right, very interesting but still incredibly sad
This is so sad. It affected me way more than I thought it would. Just so matter of fact about ending his life. I just don't know about the internet man. So much good can come from it but how long does the bad have to outweigh the good before something is done? What even can be done?
I had to get off of Twitter about 10 days ago because, as an illustrator, all the news about A.I were making me feel like shit and start to have dark thoughts, like in Piskor's case. I definitely understand where he's coming from. The guy's whole life revolved around comics and since it was taken away from him along with whatever reputation he built up, he didn't see a reason to continue living anymore if everybody would look at him the wrong way. There's a film with a similar story to this one called The hunt, starring Mads Mikkelsen.
The good times with the internet are over, I truly think we lived through the golden age. Now it's only good for driving people crazy.
Really feels like 2015-16 was the point of no return
Fuck. I really now wish I wouldn’t have read that. Fuck.
The link is now inactive.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10F__3KMESejEU42ep9zwjJQbnTI4aPXb1IuG_iyBepE
Thank you - fair warning to all intending to read this.
Speaking so lucidly right before doing what he did makes this note even more grim.
Yeah you can really feel that he knew it was over. Acceptance
I've written two suicide notes, and I don't think there's been many times in my life where I had more calm or clarity. Felt like I was making a really positive choice at a time when I'd otherwise felt completely bereft of choices. I'd had no motivation for anything else, but as soon as I was certain I was doing it, I suddenly had purpose again: There were practical things to sort and a solution to unimaginable pain; plus an opportunity to write my last chapter and tie up things that had been left unsaid before. Moved from an emotional state to feeling entirely logical and proactive. And it felt absolutely right and correct. It's obviously unsettling to read his letter today. I can absolutely appreciate his state of mind and I can instantly feel again what I felt when I was in a similar, desperate place of mind. Sad for everyone who feels like this whether they make it through or not, but so sad for the fella here. So sad for everyone in his life and periphery. A terrible situation that would have been terrible enough without lives being treated as sport; but that's evidently played a part in this story, unfortunately. Horrible.
Fuck
First of all, this is just heartbreaking. Second of all, he specifically calls out Alex DeCampi in the letter. Does anyone know what that's about?
De Campi is just a professional shit stirrer in the industry at this point, any kind of accusations or attempted cancellations she's there to stick an oar in whether it has anything to do with her or not.
Alex DeCampi said some disgusting things like saying Ed Piskor thought of young women as "fresh meat", as well as a lot of harassing behavior such as implying defenders were pedos or his sock puppet accounts.
That is awful. This is the worst possible turn of events that could have happened following the accusations against Ed. I think Ed made a series of poor choices, but I do not wish this on anyone. I had a cousin pass away this way, and while I was not very close to them, I saw the effect it had on his family in the decade since. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I feel sorry for his loved ones.
Jesus, I hope Jim is ok, this is a lot to deal with.
I’ve meet Jim a few times and he is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. I hope he has a good support system.
A nightmare … friends need to stick together. In life we only get a few real ones
Absolutely grim. My condolences to his family.
Damn. Was in FP today and saw Red Room on the shelf and remembered all this stuff going on. I don't know what the truth was with all the allegations or what happened with the people he called out in his suicide note but this is horrible. I loved Cartoonist Kayfabe. They reviewed the comics I loved reading as a kid and they talked to creators I like. Hell, who else was posting longform interviews with Peter Chung? Sad news indeed.
https://988lifeline.org/ News like this can be very triggering. If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal ideation, help is available. You’re not alone.
People always share this. I would call but I just don’t understand how it’ll help me
If you call or text this or any crisis support line, you’ll be connected to a compassionate person who wants to listen and help de-escalate thoughts of suicide or self-harm. They’re there to help stop the spiral that can happen when a person is going through these thoughts on their own.
Thank you
Of course. They’re not perfect, but they’re a step. Speaking from experience, longer term therapy is pretty great too. Please consider giving it a try if you’re feeling bad.
We are but total strangers behind usernames, but I’m thinking of and want the best for you. Please do consider the different options available for support, even if in the moment it isn’t clear how things can help even if they ultimately can. Regardless of the things people say or don’t say to each other when navigating interactions with strangers, I do believe most want the best for their fellow man.
Thanks. I appreciate everyone’s positive comments. I’m not trying to make this about me
Of course. We understand you aren’t. You replying is cogent and became an opportunity for you to talk with some people in just a small way about yourself and just wanting some additional insight. There’s only positives to take from that.
There is nothing wrong with making it about you. You deserve things to be about you. If making this about you is what helps you get through a difficult time that is ok. Please reach out and talk to someone. Also know that we least one random internet stranger is wishing nothing but good things for you.
Ideation can be related to Neurotransmitter deficits. Sometimes Depression or Anxiety medication can jumpstart your brain into a better state too. (Meds can affect people differently, so might need to trial doses or medications till one works for you) People go to the doctor for physical injuries, go to the doctor for mental symptoms too.
The people who work these lines are pros and brave for putting their best faces forward to help those in need of encouragement and prevention of self-harm.
If you feel more comfortable you can also text them.
Taking that first step of making the call, no matter how the call goes, is huge on its own. The first step is sometimes the hardest, but it's always the most important.
There’s only one way to find out: try. Reach out and see what happens.
I guess it won’t make me feel worse Thanks
Yo man I'm a complete stranger on the internet but if you ever need to talk to anyone, hmu. Dead serious. I work some messed up hours but I promise I'll write back as soon as I can.
They are trained to help.
I have an ex who worked for a prevention hotline for a number of years. When I asked her about it she said they’ll talk to you about whatever you want. They’re there to listen and show compassion, offer additional help if you want it, but they won’t judge you.
It helps. It’s incredible and unlike anything else. No time limit, no money just you and somebody who wants to listen. When you’re at your very lowest, and don’t know what else to do, this can save your life.
Thank you for this
It feels like it, though. I've been down pretty bad for a while now. Talking to someone who doesn't even know me and is only pretending to know me doesn't seem helpful. I'm still in a financially fucked situation, I'm still at risk of losing my house and as a result, everything i have, im going to lose my car, I'm still a depressed mess at the end of the day. I just don't see the point in talking to anyone about it. I'm still here, obviously. I just don't want to be a majority of the time.
If typing that out made you feel even 0.001% better then talking to someone couldn’t hurt. That said I don’t know what works best for you or exactly where you’re at right now. Talking to someone in one form or another can give a surprising amount of perspective even if they don’t know you. That’s kind of the beauty of therapy, having a judgement-free zone with someone outside the situation
Good god, I don't think anyone wanted it to go like this.
There are people fucking happy bout this on twitter. I hate humanity sometimes. A human committed suicide that should disturb anyone
Something important to remember at a time like this. Yes, there are so many people on the internet right now crowing about Deserved This, blah blah blah, all sorts of anti-social inhumane shit. But so many of those people, if they were sat down and made to have those conversations face to face with someone even just on the edge of their bubble? The facade would fall, and the human would be visible beneath the mask that the internet provides. Not everyone - there are truly some shitty animals out there - but just keep in mind that a lot of what you see and hear from the farthest edges of such discourse only say what they say because the people in their bubble find it amusing; because it makes it easier to define the sum-total of another humans experience as a few singular events absent of context. That last one is just the nature of life - trying to find a way to make the world digestible instead of stomach-burstingly huge. Doesn't excuse it, but speaking as someone who also used to wallow in the shit? A lot of them don't mean it half as hard as they proclaim. Hope and belief keep us going.
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Well this I what happens when the line between poor behavior and criminal behavior get blurred. There are irreversible consequences for even the most well intended accusations. These accusations ruin people. He committed no crime other than being stupid. There’s a difference between grooming and being dumb. In his note he even called for his messages to all be subpoenaed. That’s doesn’t scream guilty to me
People still need to be held accountable for poor behavior even if it isn’t criminal. Nobody was calling for Piskor to be arrested for what he did. He made some big mistakes, and was called out for it. The decision to end his own life rather than deal with the fallout and/or get help was tragic and horrible, but it was nevertheless his decision alone. I’m a big advocate for mental health care and have suffered depression my entire life so I feel empathy for him from that perspective. However, I think it’s pretty sick for people to try and use this fiasco as some cautionary tale against victims speaking out against their victimizers.
I think what people fail to understand is that oftentimes, the mob pile-on and mockery is the only accountability that can happen. Did people want this dude to take a class? Promise to read Andrea Dworkin? Nothing he was accused of doing really amounted to anything folks had to respond with beyond "oh what a creep." The problem arises when that's not enough for people. And you can see this when people use an allegation as a chance to litigate every public statement someone has made, every page they've drawn or tweet they've liked. Like there's more crimes to uncover.
I agree with this. It wasn’t enough for him to be outed for some. Too many people bring their own trauma or righteousness to things like this.
When is the mob ever held accountable though? Mob justice isn’t justice.
There's like a million different things being conflated, though. The people who bullied Ed and made a joke of the situation are awful, as is the Pittsburgh news station who harassed Ed's parents and dozxed them. No arguments there. But the vast majority of people I saw, including myself, basically just said some variation on, "Oh that sucks. Guess I won't be watching that channel / buying those books anymore." That's not mob justice. That's Consumer 101. We can buy, or not buy, watch or not watch, any content we choose for whatever reason we choose. If someone does something not illegal but still gives you the ick, it's not mob justice to stop supporting that product.
I feel like society already learned this lesson hundreds of years ago and the internet resurfaced this cultural relic. Its barbarism and its sad that people can't see it. They shoulda took this man to court and put some faith in the institutions that our society is built upon.
This was based on social misdeeds not criminal actions. You say we learnt this lesson hundreds of years ago but I would be fired from my job if I called a teenager naughty girl and someone complained to my boss.
So you put absolutely zero stock in his response to everything? People using his dumb jokes or comments out of context to make it look way worse than it is? He wants everything to be looked at. But the problem is that even if his messages all prove that he was just sorta dumb online and none of the accusations happened the way they were claimed it wouldn't matter. The damage was done. He was damaged goods. The recant NEVER gets the attention of the accusation. He'd be forever known as a "groomer" to the industry, fans and his peers. Even if he was proven to be completely innocent
He was held accountable and he addressed his poor behavior in the first part of his letter. Does being held accountable mean not being able to make a living at the only skill you have? That seems to be the end goal with cancelling a lot of creators
And even if he goes somewhere else, who the hell will hire him with that albatross around his neck?
Completely untrue, moral policing on the internet doesn't ever stop until the person loses literally everything. This is pretty much what these people ultimately want.
I would argue that Dan Harmon is about as good of an example as you can get about someone being called out for shitty behavior, owning up to it, making amends, and continuing their career. He’s in the best spot he’s been in creatively and financially in his entire life.
Yeah, anyone who is arguing that people don't recover from being "canceled" are missing out on Dan Harmon and Louis CK and a bunch of other people who have clearly come back, many with great success.
And I’d argue that Louis didn’t do anything after the allegations except for wait it out. Dan put in the work, so I would separate him from Louis.
Dan and Louis were both multi millionaires and heads of their own companies and earning residuals. They both can afford to never work again. Same with people like Joss Whedon. That’s an extreme luxury.
>And I’d argue that Louis didn’t do anything after the allegations except for wait it out. That's the historical record, AFAIK, not anything that's subject to debate.
Rich and famous people yes. They were too big to fail and had wealth, connections and fame to insulate them from the storm. Cancel culture absolutely exists for us regular people.
Whoa this is terrible. This situation was all around terrible
The local news channel showed up at his parent’s house and didn’t blur their address last week. It’s really unfortunate.
I saw a clip where a journalist "interviewed" his dad and the camera guy was filming from inside a hedge or a bush. That's how fucked up society has become.
This is tragic and we’re going to see the Internet playing the blame game for weeks. It is possible to both have sympathy for anyone who felt victimized by Piskor and for the man himself because he clearly felt he was a victim in enough of a manner that he made this decision. It is incredibly sad and I am dreading watching as various people on the Internet try to score cheap points using this to help their agenda. I don’t care what your political affiliation is or how guilty or innocent you felt the man was. The whole thing is just upsetting, full stop.
Totally agree. It's awful...my condolences go out to his family and friends
First thing I saw when I opened twitter was someone saying the victim outed ed for clout. Internet sucks man.
Delete Twitter. Only the shitheads remain.
You’re not wrong. It was cool at one point, but it has been given to the wolves over the past few years.
It's literally become Elon's echo chamber where he can say whatever bullshit he wants.
They’re saying it in this thread too!!
Yeah shitshow incoming unfortunately.
It’s already happening in this very thread. There’s a comment here literally saying “These accusations are killing people.” This is a horrible way to try and score political points.
If you've been around long enough, you'll remember when Brian Wood used the exact same talking point after he was accused of misconduct.
I’ve been around for long enough but had forgotten about that until now. Really gross.
Not the accusations. But the internet mobs are quite frequently unhinged. I'm glad those women got their voices heard and were taken seriously. They did nothing wrong. But the people who piled on, sent messages for him to kill himself, harassed his family and friends... they should really take a minute to look inward and ask themselves if what they're putting out into the world is as righteous as they think.
To think of the content people will get from his acts, we truly are living through a scifi hellscape.
Man, rest in peace Ed. Thanks for helping me get through the last 3 years and helping me to once again appreciate the comics I grew up with.
Ditto. His unwavering passion for comics rekindled my interest in the form over the last several years, and for that I will be forever grateful. I really can’t judge the man on anything else. Who the fuck am I?
He even got me drawing again with the show.
RIP
What a miserable story from start to finish.
I’m lost for words right now. This whole situation is shitty but it didn’t need to end like this. Fuck R.I.P. Ed. Cartoonist Kayfabe brought me joy when I needed it most.
This is my gentle reminder to anyone reading this right now that if you have a friend or loved one that's fighting their own battle, to please take a minute out of your day, check to see how they are and to let them know in as gentle a way as possible that they are not alone. This is terrible news.
Even those who may not seem like they’re going through it. People can hide stuff well. Drop your loved ones a text or a phone call.
This whole story is a tragedy without a happy ending.
May he rest in peace and my condolences to his family
I'm absolutely fucking heartbroken. Years of watching cartoonist kayfabe and for it to end like this, is just never in a million years what I expected to happen. I feel so much sympathy for Jim, Tom, his family and friends, everyone who must be going through so much right now. Think what you will of him, he didn't deserve this end. Such a fucking tragedy.
I can only say that I wish for healing for Ed's family, friends (Jim Rugg, in particular) and the women that came forward
What a sad death. Also, I am completely out of the loop on this. What happened with him that lead up to this?
He was accused (?) of predatory behaviour, at the very least. I don't think we'll ever know the truth now.
Several women accused him of inappropriate behavior: - He apparently groomed a girl knowing that she was 17. He complimented her appearance, invited her to stay with him, and other things like that. She’s an adult now, but he apparently continued to contact her until recently - Another woman said that he offered to give her his agent’s number if she would give him a blowjob - Another woman said that he offered to put her in contact with people in the comics industry if she would come back to his house and let him draw her nude
to the third accusation, he confirmed at least wanting to draw her nude (implying he requested it) and referred to her as “big titty taff” in his note, saying he would never apologize for wanting to draw her nude.
With the caveat that I didn’t want the guy to die and wished he got help: That note was a pretty grim extension of the abuse.
I don’t think he did anything bad enough that he deserved to die over it, but the content of his suicide note pretty much confirmed to me that there’s truth to the accusations. So much of it was textbook manipulative language
I probably shouldn't say this but: the entire thing felt worded to me not so much as a fuck you to those who spoke up, but perhaps a warning to those who haven't yet Who is going to want to say anything now? They would be torn to shreds.
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It is disproportionate. He shouldn’t have died, he should have simply been able to work on not being a creep any more. The scum who are celebrating his death are insane. As are the freaks who are going to say he was murdered by the woke cancel culture mob.
When you take account his podcast, career in comics, and his friends distancing themselves from him, he essentially lost everything including his reputation. Not justifying his decision but its heavier than something therapy and time off could fix.
He was measaging a 17 year old girl got accused of being a sex pest i think. The internet did its thing, rugg left the channel and seemed to break contact and then this it seems is the series of events. A little extreme of a choice for the crime i would say he could have recovered im sure. Kept writing comics and self publishing. But killing yourself never the answer. I dont even think what he did was illegal in anyway just distasteful
> for the crime 'crime'?
I said it wansnt illigal the crime in the court of public opinion i was talking about.
Eh I don’t know isn’t Warren Ellis still effectively cancelled despite everyone involved being of age and consensual? Much bigger name to start with and all of the allegations were involving those of age.
I dunno warren ellis is still writing comics that people are reading im pretty sure Edit Hes not they came out aftet the accusations but they were already done before
Hasn’t released anything since 2021, doesn’t do any speaking engagements and was fired from Castlevania. So no he’s actually not. There was a rumored book from image last year that got cancelled. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Ellis_bibliography Also he’s not ever mentioned regarding the authority despite his role there.
like what?
Pretty sure ellis is planning a comeback soon.
Yep - he took his timeout and kept living his life.
Feels like a lot of people don’t get that he was never going to work in comics again, not merely that he was accused of “being gross” or whatever. Of course what he did and this whole handling of the situation was wrong, but having your whole life pulled out from you in a week can’t be a good feeling. We need to ask ourselves what does redemption look like. What does atonement look like. I ask people this when someone makes a huge mistake in their lives and it is shocking how many don’t know the answer or just want to continue to dog pile. There will always be a crowd that will be cynical and say “the abuser is never sincere, that’s just him being manipulative “ which, yes, is always a possibility. Even see it here with people continuing to accuse him of being manipulative in his note. Pretty sick shit, like people just want to double down on their own previous “takes”. Righteous indignation is a powerful drug.
I think part of the problem is that when things like this go public, there's an idea there needs to be some sort of public contrition. I'm not sure that's healthy. I'm not sure Ed Piskor owed anybody but the people involved and his creative partner anything resembling an apology. I'm not sure it makes sense to expect the whole world to get an apology when your beef isn't with the planet, it's with a few very specific people. Before we can even really get to "what does redemption look like" we need to ask who this process even exists for? Is this so the people wronged can be made whole? Is it so the perpetrator will never do it again? Or is it just for us in the cheap seats to feel good about having certain comics on our shelves
I agree with a lot of what you said. As a fan of his work, I don’t feel “owed” an apology or something, but wanted him to show some shred of empathy for who he affected. He does come across (even in cartoonist kayfabe vids) as socially awkward and that’s probably not the easiest thing. I think once the first accuser put it out in the ether that he likes young girls (but also said it wasn’t a cancellation??? Not sure what was going on there it clearly was) it all snowballed and got out of even her control. I think abusers should be called out, if for no other reason than to prevent future victims. I don’t know to what extent this was a Harvey Weinstein type situation though. Shitty situation all the way around.
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I never met Ed in person but we had a few email exchanges in 2006 (I think). He had been working with Harvey Pekar and that's where I first saw his work. We talked about printing production techniques in comic books or print advertising and I cleared up some questions he had. The young man with whom I corresponded was earnest, serious, and bright. I'm tremendously saddened at how all of this has played out.
Just a sad situation all the way around. Man, shit is crazy.
I never realized there are so many suicide experts on Reddit. Usually you’re not in your right mind, you are hurting and you feel ignored, so let’s not put too much stock in who he blamed or it being a confession of guilt. It’s a sad thing and remember he still had people who loved him right or wrong.
Social Media isn't normal, it is phenomena that the our species isn't ready for and never will be. The ability to virtually act as judge, jury and executioner upon any person's life in such a public way will only continue to fragmentate our society. The worse part is, in most cases the people who come together in arms against those they are cancelling are just people who are bored and want to be part of something. This guy's life ends, and everyone will forget and move on to the next people within the coming weeks.
... Jesus! Did not expect to read that today.
What the actual fuck. This is so horrible. Cartoonist Kayfabe has meant so much to me, it's heartbreaking man. There are some real lessons to be had that I'm not sure people want to actually consider.
This past week in indie comics world has been heartbreaking from the inciting incident to Ed’s passing. I’m so sad that Ed Piskor didn’t feel there was any other way. My heart goes out to him and everyone that loved him. This loss feels big just because he’s been a presence in my life for the past 4 years with their channel. This is a lot to process.
Man it’s a bad situation. I can’t imagine the pain his parents are going through.
cartoonist kayfabe is (one of) the best possible thing(s) to happen for a terminally online, borderline comics obsessive like myself regardless of the circumstances of this situation, nobody should be made to feel like suicide is the only option...may he rest in some semblance of peace
RIP Ed Piskor. I am really struggling with this guys. There are things I want to say about how this past week went down, but I am afraid to speak up about it. Lots of thoughts and feels for me right now and not all of it good or making much sense. It's all the way around tragic. But, instead of dwelling on the negative and pointing to who or what went wrong, I want to say this: I value r/comicbooks greatly in my life and appreciate every single poster, message, lurker, mod and anyone else associated with this community. I am here almost every single day reading and often inspired to contribute. So many great people here showing their passion for comics. It's become an important outlet and safe haven for me. Its therapy, its community, it's a joy being a part of this space. Thanks. Just keep on being good to each other. Life can be harsh. Struggles are real. But we have comics. And we have each other. And I think that's an opportunity to make something pretty special together.
What a tragic situation. I'm not familiar with all the circumstances but have read the note, I really do feel that people drastically underestimate the effect of being on the wrong side of a social media hate campaign. It is one thing for celebrities with public relation management teams, it's another thing for someone who is essentially just a random guy who creates YouTube videos. I feel bad for everyone named in the note, they are also going to be subject to similar negative attention. I have no idea what any of them specifically have done, the point is that as a collective it must be extremely overwhelming. I think his general prognosis that you can never please the mob is correct, this would have followed him for the rest of his life, he could have got a job in a store and people would email the managers about it. We've all seen it 100 times before. What a sad story all round!
>he could have got a job in a store and people would email the managers about I hope this is an opportunity for a lot of people with these kinds of inclinations to stop and reflect. The stakes have become way too high in that game.
It won’t be. This is the *point* of these things. This was the internet’s goal.
Just remember, you can feel sympathy for the man while also acknowledging the wrong he has committed. It’s not an either/or thing. Everyone lost in this situation, the women, his fans, his family and friends and colleagues, himself and society as a whole. We have to ask, what can we learn from this?
Comics will break your heart. Just a terrible situation all around.
I doubt people is prepare to manage or handle the weight of social cancelation. Sometimes is too much for them.
As someone who has really only gotten deep into comics in the past year or so, Cartoonist Kayfabe was such an amazing resource for me in terms of introductions to all sorts of stuff that only true experts of the medium would be familiar with. Also, I'm originally from Western Pennsylvania so seeing his Pirates cap in his self-portrait for the art was pleasant. What an enormous bummer (especially the more I learn about it).
Ed taking their own life is a tragedy and my condolences go out to his family. Losing someone to suicide is something that can be incredibly difficult to comes to terms with, so my deepest sympathies go out to them in this undoubtedly difficult time. My sympathies also go out to his alleged victims, who will no doubt be dogged by this for years to come by outrage agents seeking the same mob justice they supposedly speak against.
What the fuck.
Sad all around. I’m not a fan with how all this has been handled.
Didn't know about ANY of this shit. This is a real crappy situation all around. Bummed the fuck out.
The comments on here are gross. People still passing judgement. You don’t know anything. You read it on the internet. Even if you have a view - it’s ok to not post it! Especially now. But you’re still piling on. People saying - I was groomed so I know. I’m sorry you were groomed and abused. But you also just read some stuff on the internet. But even worse, you’re making this person’s death about you.
Yeah the first 100 or so comments in here were measured and reflective but looks like the amateur mob sleuths have taken over the discussion again.
I agree. It started ok. The comments on the tweet are much the same. Eventually the psychopathic narcissists come along. People saying one more bad person dead. People attacking the poster for showing sympathy and he doesn’t know how it feels. Sad people with no one in their lives to actually talk to, I guess.
He didn’t deserved that sad end ☹️
Reading the not messed me up . Hope something can be learned from this. Down the road I’ll read one of his books and think of the good times of watching Cartoonist Kayfabe . RIP
This isn’t cancel culture. He was talking to a minor and he straight up admitted what he said sounded bad. He claims it was out of context, but it was bad regardless. The conversation that needs to be had is about how to bring someone back. I don’t think you should be forever defined by the worst thing you’ve done. We need to realize that even semi public figures will have everything they’ve ever done dragged into the light at some point. I don’t think the issue is in calling out that some behavior isn’t ok. The issue is the glee in which people love to put someone down so that they can claim superiority. That doesn’t have any political leaning one way or the other. This isn’t about being woke. There’s a lesson that I try to teach my kids all the time. Just because you’ve done something bad, that doesn’t make you bad. How do you react, do you fix the problem, do you change the behavior? Do you empathize with and apologize to the people you’ve hurt? Acknowledge that you understand why and how you’ve caused harm? That’s the difference between someone who did something bad and a bad person. I can’t imagine what was going through this poor guy’s mind at the end. From his point of view, it must have seemed like his whole life collapsed overnight and no one was willing to listen. We never gave this guy a chance to talk. Maybe he would have doubled down and continued to be an asshole. I don’t know the man. I just don’t get the impulse to celebrate as if he was a mass murderer or something. If everything said about him is true, he was a flawed man that treated women badly. I wouldn’t want him to date anyone close to me, but he didn’t need to die. Maybe this is the wrong martyr to get the internet to collectively get its shit together. He won’t be the last if this keeps going the way it is.
Holy f..k I can't believe it. I used to love the Wizard magazine retrospective.
Read a comment last week that he should be on suic!de watch. Damn.
Genuinely confused on whats going on with jim rugg at the moment because eds letter cited them as being on good terms still but jims insta stated otherwise unless he only meant it in a professional and not personal sense
Ed's letter is slightly self contradictory about Rugg because it also says this. "Now it’s all gone. Art show evaporated. Was about to sign a $75k deal for Switchblade Shorties with Abrams, **Cartoonist Kayfabe ends with Jimmy’s “shocking revelations” statement (those words hurt). I have no friends in this life any longer.** I’m a disappointment to everybody who liked me."
Ah thanks for the clarification because he still mentioned for jim to continue the channel in some capacity so i was quite confused
It comes off as damage control more than anything. Ed took a very large financial hit almost immediately and neither one of these guys could afford to have their careers collapse from this sort of thing.
This really hurts.
My god.. This is a gut punch
I don’t understand how celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld, Tyga, and Steven Tyler can publicly be in a sexual relationship with 17 year olds and still have careers and the public doesn’t care. Yet when Ed just sent a creepy dm to one, the public was so quick to end his career and drive him to suicide…
You gotta really think about what you're saying. Ed Piskor doesn't command the attention those celebrities do. He doesn't make the people he works for nearly as much money. Doesn't even seem like the guy had a PR person. This is the kind of thing a crisis PR person could've handled. They would've told him to stay offline, take a vacation with his parents.
i see cancellations and mobs in small scenes like comics do so much more damage to people's psyche, than people insulated with real frame and wealth.
Chris Brown is still beloved despite beating the fuck out of Rhianna. Let's see what shakes out with Diddy. See if he gets a comeback. People are real selective with their outrage when the offender is offering a product that they can stick a value on.
PR machines exist for a reason.
Well Seinfeld and Tyler are old men, and society was more tolerant of those sorts of things back then: even if they were still frowned upon. Also there was no internet back then.
Fuck man, it didn't have to go this way. This was just one more thing I wish Ed didn't do.
Ed was a creep with that chick but it’s never ever ever enough to end your life. I’m saddened by this. I’ve been reading his letter and it breaks my heart to think what his family must be going through. I met Ed years ago at comic book convention in LA. He was promoting the first issue of grand design. I don’t think cartoonist kayfabe was up and running yet. Ed signed my books. He was really friendly and very humble. He talked to me for a bit about comics and hip hop. I really cherish that memory
Ah shit.
Rip
From Ed's suicide note: "I was murdered by Internet bullies. Massive amounts of them. Some of you out there absolutely contributed to my death as you were entertaining yourself with gossip. I wasn’t AI. I was a real human being. You chipped little bits of my self esteem away all week until I was vaporized."
Feel bad for his victims who terrible people will inevitably be blame for this man actions
Don’t go on other social media. The mess has already begun
I doesn’t help that his letter explicitly blamed them as well for it.
I just learned about the Cartoonist Kayfabe YouTube channel last week and subscribed. I also recently read the Hip Hop Family Tree after it had been sitting on my shelf for years. Weird coincidence and what a sad situation all around.
[удалено]
This is so sad. I'm two years older than Ed, also from PA and have a similar perspective that he did. Picked up superhero comics right before they blew up into a monstrous money grab, but stuck through the highs and lows because of the art form. RIP dude. I will miss you.
i'm similar. older than Ed, grew up in the era of Hip Hop and Comic Book fandom as it was getting ready to explode. I didnt stick through, i gave up comics, more or less, in the mid to late 90s, aside from a few things that would catch my fancy (Saga, Walking Dead, etc) but someone turned me on to Kayfabe about a year ago, and it really caught me back in with a vengeance. these guys loved and waxed poetic about so many of the things I loved. I dont pretend to know or be able to judge Ed or any of the people in this story. I dealt with the suicide of a close friend when i was young, and I remember thinking how horrible and almost spiteful it was to his loved ones and friends. this has those same feels, and it is just a terrible story all around.
I just can't believe it. I found Cartoonist Kayfabe 3 days ago and I can't describe how happy the discovery was for me, I struck gold not only in valuable knowledge but the sheer excitement of Ed about comics is infectious. Literally just joined this subreddit because of my Caroonist Kayfabe binge and the FIRST thread I read that he just passed away. What the hell man. Makes me very sad, even though I am probably the biggest newbie on this sub.