That's terrible news!  He was one of my favorites.  His writing was so youthful, I didn't know he was old.

On 5/2/2024 at 9:51 PM, GanymedeRex said:

That's terrible news!  He was one of my favorites.  His writing was so youthful, I didn't know he was old.

He wasn't, really. Just 46. Which I suppose could be considered old, if you're particularly young.

Although many of his popular works, he began writing in his twenties.

Not to be "that guy" but we lost him just barely over two weeks before his 49th birthday. (He was born in 1975). Still not old enough to consider 'old' though and I can tell you that in spirit he was still that 21 year old I found out there who had just claimed that piece of the internet for us all and was fired up to build on it! I was in direct contact with him up to his final hospitalization and the news still  came as an absolute shock. Outside of being understandably tired, he had so much fight left in his voice and plans for tomorrow, like he always did. 😢 

16 minutes ago, M1984 said:

He wasn't, really. Just 46. Which I suppose could be considered old, if you're particularly young.

Although many of his popular works, he began writing in his twenties.

In joking when working on one of his sites, I said to a friend that I've been daring him to haunt me so i can have a word with him about all this.

Comsie: "Booooooooo...."
Me: "Oh good, you're here. Sit down, we need to talk..." 🤭 

If only...

On 5/10/2024 at 5:12 PM, JeffsFort said:

Not to be "that guy" but we lost him just barely over two weeks before his 49th birthday. (He was born in 1975).

I could swear I heard he was born in 1977. I've no idea how I came to believe it was that year.  Thanks for the correction.

Such a loss, but he left the world a better place than he found it. Something we should all hope to be able to say.

Still, he left us far too soon.  

Let’s be honest, it is US who didn’t deserve HIM. As much as I am wanting to know whether Justin fulfills the Vampire Prophecy in GFD, how Taryn and his brother got separated, etc; the more I think about it, leaving such stories incomplete only magnify how great he really was. It’s not like any of us have his touch or could even remotely come close to how adept his was a capturing those little perfect moments of that nervous “hehehe” at odd moments. God I’m gonna miss that.. I think Comsie would be objective and say to leave the stories incomplete while yet he’d want folks to create their own stories and series’s or at the very least spin offs of his works. Keeping the stories like GFD unfinished makes them all the more amazing and magical in my opinion. 

19 hours ago, SilentandBroken said:

Let’s be honest, it is US who didn’t deserve HIM. As much as I am wanting to know whether Justin fulfills the Vampire Prophecy in GFD, how Taryn and his brother got separated, etc; the more I think about it, leaving such stories incomplete only magnify how great he really was. It’s not like any of us have his touch or could even remotely come close to how adept his was a capturing those little perfect moments of that nervous “hehehe” at odd moments. God I’m gonna miss that.. I think Comsie would be objective and say to leave the stories incomplete while yet he’d want folks to create their own stories and series’s or at the very least spin offs of his works. Keeping the stories like GFD unfinished makes them all the more amazing and magical in my opinion. 

As far as the stories go, I personally wouldn't be interested in reading material that added to the story by well-meaning fans. I want to know what Comicality had in store for those characters, in his own brilliant mind.  Of course that's just me. I'm sure other readers will feel different.

You're absolutely right, I would love to know what Justin's fate was. You couldn't help but fall in love with his characters. They'll outlive us all, if we don't blow ourselves up. New people, perhaps people not even born yet, will be finding Comicality's stories in decades to come. 

55 minutes ago, M1984 said:

I want to know what Comicality had in store for those characters, in his own brilliant mind.

As do I

Remembering Comicality

I’ve been trying to put something into words for days now and not being the consummate writer Com was it’s taken me a bit, especially as this was something I never thought I’d have to do….. at least not for several more decades.

Like many of us old time “Shackers” I came across Com’s stories on Nifty, way back when we all had dial up modems, and Com was using his WebTV!

But only started talking to him in 1999 while I was, ironically, recovering from being in hospital as I too nearly died. It started by my email saying how I was enjoying New Kid in School like so many of us and how it was keeping me occupied during my recovery. I was stunned when I got a reply from him less than 24 hours later, and not just a short email either!

Since that day we stayed in regular contact either by email or as some will remember in the chat room on IRC, and even by written correspondence. Hehe, those group chats were always a lively affair, and he always was happy to see us in there with him.

We had some deep conversations me and him over the years. (I’ve kept every single email, letter, card he sent) I remember in the early days as his popularity grew he was getting allot of “hate mail” and in one email to me he said “Dom I don’t think I can do this anymore, it hurts too much, all I want to do is make people smile but they just keep pulling me down” He was going to give it 6 months. Fortunately, with encouragement he carried on, and what a legacy he went on to create!

One of our best conversations was over his and my love of drawing cartoons, but sadly he didn’t have many from his younger years because his dad destroyed them. So, I sent him some of the ones I had done when I was a kid, Thunder Cats and Roger Rabbit. When he had to move to Georgia, he still had them!

He became a true friend; one I could confide in and most of all never get judged. Now that’s not to say he didn’t give me his opinions, and infuriatingly he was usual right!

AND we kissed once! Hehe. His words not mine! One year he sent me a Christmas card which was in an envelope within an envelope, which to begin with I though was a bit odd until I pulled it out. Right in the middle he had drawn a circle and under it was a smiley face and the words “Kiss here, I did!” ….. So, obviously I did. When he asked did I kiss the same spot he said we had technically kissed!  Typical Com always goofy!

But that was Com, he never judged anyone. Always looked to see the best in people, encourage them, lend an ear and try to make everyone smile, even when he wasn’t able himself. Again, it hurt him deeply every time he felt he hadn’t been able to help someone, when the truth is he was in more need of it than most of us.

I think one of the other things that bugged him was with popularity meant he couldn’t speak to everyone as often as he wanted, but he would always make as much effort as he could which resulted in allot of sleepless nights trying to catch up on emails and the like which couldn’t have been healthy!

Com and I were the same age. Him being the elder by 1 month and 1 day! We had planned to meet up for our 40^th when I was going to be in Chicago but sadly and again ironically, he had to go visit the family down south, we had discussed trying again for our 50^th next year. He gave me a whole catalogue of must-see things including his beloved Navy Pier which he said I “HAD” to see, which I did. I might still try and go back next year, but it will be bittersweet if I can.

When first writing this I had by the end of the first session nearly 6 pages! But even that doesn’t seem long enough. I mean how can you fit 25 years of friendship into words and do Comsie justice?

It’s so very unfair that someone who gave so much, so selflessly has been cut short so early. He had such a tough life personally, not just with money but a tough childhood with a father that beat him and tried to break him down. Though I do honestly believe that because of those things it inspired him to be a force for others. I don’t think even at the end he truly realised what a huge legacy he had crafted, how much he impacted on so many lives.

There is so much more I want to say about my friend, but I think I’ll leave it here for now. Plus, if it’s too long Jeff and the Imagine team will be cursing me out! Hehe

So, I will end with this; Com you were one of my truest friends, you deserved better and more, but you achieved much to be proud of. I will miss you terribly, but will remember you fondly……. Always.

Rest easy bud!

I have been reading through the comments on Comsies passing very tearfully. I however find it a little sad that the fund to help Comsies mom (gofundme.com/f/support-for-comicalitys-mother-in-a-very-difficult-time/donate) shows only 19 donations! I'm a pensioner but even I managed 20 bucks (tho not under my GA name)

On 6/12/2024 at 10:12 PM, HARRYWALTER said:

I have been reading through the comments on Comsies passing very tearfully. I however find it a little sad that the fund to help Comsies mom (gofundme.com/f/support-for-comicalitys-mother-in-a-very-difficult-time/donate) shows only 19 donations! I'm a pensioner but even I managed 20 bucks (tho not under my GA name)

Make that 20 donations, I didn't know there was a gofundme page

On 6/12/2024 at 7:12 PM, HARRYWALTER said:

I have been reading through the comments on Comsies passing very tearfully. I however find it a little sad that the fund to help Comsies mom (gofundme.com/f/support-for-comicalitys-mother-in-a-very-difficult-time/donate) shows only 19 donations! I'm a pensioner but even I managed 20 bucks (tho not under my GA name)

I wasn't aware of that thanks for the link I'll donate after I get paid

Make that 22 donations.

I also had not seen the link. Perhaps there’s a way to feature it somewhere prominently for awhile? 
 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-comicalitys-mother-in-a-very-difficult-time?utm_campaign=pd_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&attribution_id=sl%3Ab1316ffb-1caa-4ae6-81f2-fcaddde09f8a

You can add another donation to the total. It is getting closer to the total and I hope it is achieved, but it still has a long way to go.

N.B. For anyone who is sceptical, I have checked this out and I am happy to say, I believe it is genuine.

For those who haven't checked out @Comicality's own website, you can by following this link. It is currently still running and being maintained by his supporters there.

https://shackoutback.net/?t=ENW4jjAe

On 6/13/2024 at 3:12 AM, HARRYWALTER said:

I have been reading through the comments on Comsies passing very tearfully. I however find it a little sad that the fund to help Comsies mom (gofundme.com/f/support-for-comicalitys-mother-in-a-very-difficult-time/donate) shows only 19 donations! I'm a pensioner but even I managed 20 bucks (tho not under my GA name)

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, many of us really appreciate it. Thanks to you making us aware the fund has received an uplift and I sincerely hope it reaches the target amount. As you can see from previous posts love and respect for Comsie has attracted a positive response.

As soon as my  cheque clears next week I will be making a donation to help his mum.

Done.

Thanks for letting us know, I didn’t know of this.

On 6/14/2024 at 6:26 AM, lucretiaseeks said:

I also had not seen the link. Perhaps there’s a way to feature it somewhere prominently for awhile? 
 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-comicalitys-mother-in-a-very-difficult-time?utm_campaign=pd_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&attribution_id=sl%3Ab1316ffb-1caa-4ae6-81f2-fcaddde09f8a

 

You mean like on GA?

It's been there since the fundraiser started. Thanks to all of you for helping. "Momicality" has been overwhelmed by the concern and the love we have all shown. It's completely floored her that he had this totally other life that she only kind of knew existed, and that we all loved her son as much as we did. She has found small things in his room that now make sense, one of them is a weird name that she wouldn't have known but now knows means the worlds to soooo many. The name "Comicality" 🥲

Update: I spoke with "Momicality" yesterday after having difficulty getting her on the phone for over a week. Apparently there have been other issues that just aren't letting up. They dealt with a couple of other deaths in the family over the past year and her younger sister broke her ankle recently so, she's been taking care of her. I sooooooo wish I lived closer to her. Anyway: The fund raiser has brought in about $2500 at this point that I will be cutting a cashier's check and mailing to her. (I'd just name her beneficiary and have it pay directly to her but, she's Comicality's mom... He got his technophobia from somewhere. I now know where. LOL!)

I told her how many people pitched in and how much had been collected and she was absolutely stunned. She asked that I thank everyone here and that I shut down the GoFundMe as she thinks it's some kind of imposition. My response: "I think I know how to end it. Let me look into it." hehehe. I'll let it go a little longer and send a second check because some people are still just now finding it. I'll send it with a note. "Oops, I thought I know how to shut it down." LOL! 

Thanks for helping with this everyone. I have no idea how she is staying so strong through all of this but I'm glad we can be supportive at the very least.

::HUGZ::

7 minutes ago, JeffsFort said:

Update: I spoke with "Momicality" yesterday after having difficulty getting her on the phone for over a week. Apparently there have been other issues that just aren't letting up. They dealt with a couple of other deaths in the family over the past year and her younger sister broke her ankle recently so, she's been taking care of her. I sooooooo wish I lived closer to her. Anyway: The fund raiser has brought in about $2500 at this point that I will be cutting a cashier's check and mailing to her. (I'd just name her beneficiary and have it pay directly to her but, she's Comicality's mom... He got his technophobia from somewhere. I now know where. LOL!)

I told her how many people pitched in and how much had been collected and she was absolutely stunned. She asked that I thank everyone here and that I shut down the GoFundMe as she thinks it's some kind of imposition. My response: "I think I know how to end it. Let me look into it." hehehe. I'll let it go a little longer and send a second check because some people are still just now finding it. I'll send it with a note. "Oops, I thought I know how to shut it down." LOL! 

Thanks for helping with this everyone. I have no idea how she is staying so strong through all of this but I'm glad we can be supportive at the very least.

::HUGZ::

Thank you @JeffsFort for the update, it is appreciated. I understand Momicality's feelings, but I hope that you have explained to her that Comicality's friends, fans and supporters want to do this for her. It is not an imposition, it is our way of responding to the friendship and support that Comicality has given us over the years. I would like the GoFundMe page to continue after it has reached its current goal, I cannot speak for others but I know my finances can stretch to a couple more donations over the coming months and I'm happy to do it.

Funny because that was the tone of the conversation from my end. She knows that there are a lot of people out there that her son absolutely left his mark on, and that we all want to help but because of the whole "Comicality" thing, it's difficult. When I told her we wanted to memorialize him by helping one of the most important people in his life, she may have realized it would be futile to try to refuse to let us try.  I know this is something Comsie probably never expected and with how super private he was, we are in a unique position to try to give her a hand. I love and miss her son an awful lot. I really consider myself lucky to be able to help her in any way and I'm taking you all with me on that mission  Thanks for making the attempt something really special!

:HUGZ::

9 hours ago, JeffsFort said:

Update: I spoke with "Momicality" yesterday after having difficulty getting her on the phone for over a week. Apparently there have been other issues that just aren't letting up. They dealt with a couple of other deaths in the family over the past year and her younger sister broke her ankle recently so, she's been taking care of her. I sooooooo wish I lived closer to her. Anyway: The fund raiser has brought in about $2500 at this point that I will be cutting a cashier's check and mailing to her. (I'd just name her beneficiary and have it pay directly to her but, she's Comicality's mom... He got his technophobia from somewhere. I now know where. LOL!)

I told her how many people pitched in and how much had been collected and she was absolutely stunned. She asked that I thank everyone here and that I shut down the GoFundMe as she thinks it's some kind of imposition. My response: "I think I know how to end it. Let me look into it." hehehe. I'll let it go a little longer and send a second check because some people are still just now finding it. I'll send it with a note. "Oops, I thought I know how to shut it down." LOL! 

Thanks for helping with this everyone. I have no idea how she is staying so strong through all of this but I'm glad we can be supportive at the very least.

::HUGZ::

Comsie was an amazing person and writer, missed by so many.

This is the perfect way to help the most important person in his life, his Mum.