I barely knew the man and legend. But I do know that, to my shock, he accepted my invitation to be an ambassador for my Inkwell Awards last year and to be associated with us (much thanks goes to J. David Spurlock for the nudge).  This lent us a huge amount of credibility and exposure as he was debatably (although I doubt anyone would debate it) our top creator to represent us, which says an awful LOT considering our other brilliant ambassadors and their talent & reps).  And he personally handed out three Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund Awards to his students for us at the school that bears his name, a school that represented the sequential art field like no other. He was so active, strong and busy that I figured he’d surely be around for some time to come. Starting professionally at the age of TWELVE, he was one of the final surviving innovators of the golden-age of comics and one who helped to develop our sequential art form as a teacher and mentor for decades. Honestly, it’s more of a loss to this industry and community than I can even properly express.

I sincerely extend all of my best wishes to his family and loved ones on behalf of the Inkwell Awards family.  May he rest and peace. Thanks a lot, Joe!    ~B~