Aug

14

Mike Wieringo Passes Away

Filed Under General, My Comics | 11 Comments

Mike Wieringo was an artist I wasn’t a fan of, but I was familiar with his work and I respected him as an artist and as a fellow professional working in comics. Looking at his art now at his site, I feel bad that I wasn’t able to fully appreciate him as an artist, and that I really had missed a lot. I would often see his work signed by this trademark “Ringo!” signature and by the flamboyance of the sig, and the fun, energetic nature of his art, I knew that it reflected who he was.

Mike was only 44 years old, and he died of heart failure. To hear anyone die so young and in such a manner is always shocking and surprising. It does make you think of your own mortality and how quick and fleeting life must be at the moment of death.

I am not far from that age myself, and I quickly scratch my head at how quickly life passes. It wasn’t too long ago I saw my contest entry as a runner up in a Wizard Cable Cover contest, and I realize it’s already 15 years ago. I was only 24 back then, and now I’m almost 40. Back then we talked about comics and the artists and we were excited about every bit of comics news and art that we would see. Today, we still talk about comics, but now we also talk about our aches and pains in our backs, feet and hands. 15 years from now, I bet we’ll all be talking about the good old days and compare medicines.

More and more I’m realizing how important it is to keep one’s health. Already I’ve cut down on eating meat, and anything overly salty, sweet, and oily. Although I’ve always liked vegetables, I’ve started to eat them more, plus more fruits. I used to go out more regularly, and I now I really should go back go my daily walks around the lake. As we grow old, things change.The things that we have done before, may no longer be perfectly safe to do so now. Like chomp down guilt free into a roasted pig. I miss it, but not much anymore.

Everybody, stay healthy allright?

Comments

11 Responses to “Mike Wieringo Passes Away”

  1. Jonas Diego on August 14th, 2007 1:41 pm

    What’s even more shocking is that Mike was a vegetarian according to his friend Scott Kurtz. :(

  2. Randy Santa Ana on August 14th, 2007 5:49 pm

    Hey Gerry,

    My mother is an advocate of healthy living, and I always get an earful when she hears that I’ve not been exercising lately. Though it’s pretty embarrasing that at the age of 40 I still get some harsh “sermon” from my mom, I am starting to take it seriously.

    I too have a hard time keeping a healthy lifestyle. I tend to take it for granted because I am thinking: “I’m not doing my body any harm; I am just here sitting in front of my computer!” Couldn’t be farther from the truth.

  3. Ed on August 14th, 2007 7:30 pm

    I always watch what I eat, sometimes that’s not enough. Exercise isn’t too. Some said family history concerns our health. How can we escape?

    It’s pretty sad that one of the best artists is gone at a quite young age. I think his work is very influential, although like you said, Gerry, I’m not also a big fan but I’m familiar with his signature.

    It’s shocking Mike was only 44…I’m turning 34 soon. Just realized how fast years go.

    …time to exercise.

    -ed

  4. John Beatty on August 14th, 2007 8:25 pm

    I wanted to believe it was not true…

    I’m 46 now…I think back at age 44 and think…how young.

    Getting older is a reminder to bless each day.

    RIP Mike!

    -JBeatty

  5. Eusebio Yu on August 14th, 2007 8:31 pm

    That is so sad. Mike Wieringo is not exactly your average ‘hot’and high profile artist that gets mentioned very often. But almost every knowledgeable fan knows what he is capable of. I respect an artist who has originality and consistency. His style was very refreshing and easy on the eyes.

    It’s extremely difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle as almost everthing we eat has some adverse effect on our body. Aside from home cooking, there’s really nothing being offered out there that’s even remotely healthy for you. Fastfood joints are the worst. Some numbskulls always say ‘ when it’s your time, it’s your time .’ Yeah, but you sure as hell don’t have to rush it!

  6. jose mari Lee on August 14th, 2007 9:10 pm

    When it comes to diet, I tend to GINGERLY tell people because some of them are offended when you do.

    But since this is the topic, I just have to go for it :)

    Genetics play a huge role in a person’s life span.
    If one has a family history of heart disease or hypertension or diabetes, it is wise to see your doctor and find out if there’s nothing wrong with your heart and blood pressure and blood sugar. Once these things are ruled out, then you know what to do.

    Moderation is the name of the game. One can eat meat if he likes it, but make sure it’s lean. Stay away from the skin of chicken and other animals because they are very high in cholesterol. Stay away from deep fried dishes. They are deadly. Eat RICE sparingly. White rice is deadly because it is nothing but JUNK and the capitalization is intended. To make rice look white, all the fibers must be removed from it, and once you removed the good stuff, what’s left? CRAP. Potato and white rice are simple carbs that goes quickly into your blood streams and becomes sugar that eventually end up as fat. Whole grains are the best substitute. Instead of white rice, eat BROWN rice. Lentil, Mung and the like. They have ample fiber that’s really good for you. And since it is not simple carb, it takes very slowly for your body to absorb. Eat sweet potato instead of potato. Sweet potato has complex carb and is therefore a lot healthier.

    If you can stay away from meat, that is good indeed. Or, if you really have to, choose the less fat variety, such as TURKEY or GOAT (but, would you have the heart to eat a goat? Just look at their cute faces, especially the baby ones. They are so loveable you would rather cuddle them than butcher them).

    For bread, eat whole wheat ones, not those JUNKY enriched white flour kind.

    Stay away from PASTRIES. They are loaded with SHORTENING and/or LARD, quite detrimental to one’s health.

    Have a POSITIVE attitude, a positive outlook in life, and be jolly. Sense of humor is a must for one’s existence here on earth.

    And the most important thing: EXERCISE. Jog, swim, walk, climb stairs (instead of taking the elevator). Also, DRINK ALCOHOL MODERATELY. I had witnessed the way some of our old illustrators imbibe alcohol as if there was no more tomorrow, and therefore, their tomorrows were truncated as well.

    DRINK A LOT OF WATER. It keeps you young-looking, it makes your skin glow and makes your cheeks rosy.

    If you eat well, exercise and have the right attitude – your orgasms will also be quite intense and satisfying :)

    - JM po lamang

  7. Arno on August 15th, 2007 7:59 am

    It is a very sad news.
    I read Mike’s run on FF and its so strange to think we ll never see his art again.

    I really think that sport is the key to keep your body clean.

    I have an off topic question for Gerry: i think you know Francis Leinil Yu very well, is he a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practicioner? There is some details in Superman Birthright that make me think that.

  8. Gerry Alanguilan on August 15th, 2007 9:08 am

    Yes, Leinil was into some martial arts stuff a while back. I haven’t visited him lately so I’m not sure if he’s still into it.

  9. Arno on August 15th, 2007 9:33 am

    Cool, if he is not at his best level, i can challenge him :)

  10. Jim Arroyo on August 16th, 2007 2:14 pm

    Hey, Gerry, long time no (write?)

    I wasn’t that big a fan of ‘Ringo’s either, but like the fan and creative community I feel the shock of his loss. From the descriptions of those who knew him and based on what I gleaned from his own blog he seemed to be a really nice guy who really, really loved comics. He was a real boon to the industry and it’s really a tragedy that he’s gone.

    It was kind of shocking to read about what a healthy lifestyle he led considering that the cause of death was, of all things, a heart attack. Well, like a previous post said, genetics really does play a role.

    I guess Tom Brevoort said it best when he opined that the best thing to take from this seemingly meaningless tragedy is to live life to the fullest, and judging from the body of Mike’s work, I’d say he has.

    RIP Mike.

    By the way, please get those last two issues of Elmer out as soon as you can; you never know…

  11. khumpleetist on August 21st, 2007 6:37 am

    Hi. I met you once while John Beatty was here and I wasn’t really on my best shape that day cause I came from my work (night shift as always) and I haven’t had a chance to talk to you more since I was overwhelmed by the artists that was present and thanks for you time talking to me. Anyway, your last words on this column mad me think that I should watch my diet too. I haven’t checked any Ringo work but losing someone in the industry saddens me. My condolonce to Mr Ringo’s family…