RIP Forrest J Ackerman

[Cherokee Jack]

Although not a comic, I'm sure enough of us have read FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND to warrant posting this here. I hate to report the sad news of Forrest J Ackerman's passing.

Information can be found at Mark Evanier's website:

http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2008_12_05.html#016305

[dan bailey]

November 24, 1916 - December 4, 2008

He wasn't a figure in our field per se, but even so he was Warren's Famous Monsters of Filmland, which provided the trial run for Creepy &, by extension, Eerie & Vampirella (whose title character he apparently at least co-created) by printing a handful of strips taken from, I gather, some of the great old Universal horror movies.

He & his magazine also played an immeasurably immense role in shaping the field of horror, period -- not only movies but the genre comics that many of us have doted on.

And, given the age range that so many of us fall within here, I strongly suspect that I'm not the only one whose initial youthful exposure to the concept of a strong, vibrant, fandom was contained within the pages of FM.

The LA Times obit concludes: "Ackerman's wife, Wendayne, died in 1990; he has no surviving family members."

"No surviving family members"? There are millions of us.


RIP, Uncle Forry.

[Red Oak Kid]

As a kid in the 60s, I was aware of FMOF, but I never got into them, probably for the same reason I was turned off by the first Marvel comics I saw.

Both Marvel and FMOF seemed like complex movies that had already started and I couldn't figure out what was going on. There were too many references to people and movies I had never seen and the tongue in cheek attitude of the articles confused me. I couldn't figure out it the whole thing was a put on, or if it was serious.

By the time I had actually seen the films referenced in the FMOF, the best years of the mag were already behind it.

But I always loved the covers.

[TVsGrady]

This really sad for all of us who are sci-fi-/horror/comic fans. :frown:

[dan bailey]

Forry was of course also a titantic figure in the evolution of SF fandom, going back to its earliest days. Apparently, he had articles in the early, early fanzines published by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and Julius Schwartz & Mort Weisinger. Talk about being present before the creation ...

[Sir Tim Drake]

Even though I never read Famous Monsters, I know how important Forry was, and I will forever be grateful to him.

I'm sorry to hear that he's gone, although I'm comforted by the fact that he lived a long and productive life.

[Paul McEnery]

"No surviving family members"? There are millions of us.
.

I don't think I could top that if I tried.

Thanks for what you gave us, Mr. Ackerman.

[Ideal.]

A major force in science fiction if there ever was one. I wouldn't go as far to say that he was my favorite but he's undoubtedly in the top handful of writers to ever touch the genre. It's difficult accredit one individual with the title of 'most important' but when it comes to sci-fi I can say with little hesitation that it's a term that describes Forry best.

I love copulating crickets.

R.I.P.

[Lone Ranger]

Very sad news.

Kat and I watched Famous Monster: Forrest J. Ackerman on the Documetary Channel here a few months back. That was the first time I truly appreciated the impact he had on popular culture.

[Slam_Bradley]

Had Uncle Forry done nothing else save have the tremendous effect he had on starting Ray Bradbury's career, I'd be eternally grateful to him. Fortunately for all of us, he did a whole lot more.

Sad days.

R.I.P.

[destro]

The Ackermonster had a huge influence on my life. I not sad about his death though..he lived a long life and was active up until the end. What more could anyone ask for? He won't be forgotten.

[Jeff O.]

FANGS FOR THE MEMORIES, 4SJ!



Forry was of course also a titantic figure in the evolution of SF fandom, going back to its earliest days. Apparently, he had articles in the early, early fanzines published by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and Julius Schwartz & Mort Weisinger. Talk about being present before the creation ...

Forry was even the newspaper reporter hero in the first Superman story -- back when Jerry and Joe thought of Superman being a villain! (Or at least they gave the reporter Forry's name.)

THE REIGN OF THE SUPERMAN (1933) -- by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

"FORREST ACKERMAN listened patiently to his City Editor."

http://superman.nu/seventy/reign/?page=7 (http://superman.nu/seventy/reign/?page=7)


"Forrest's mind reeled at this calm declaration of his death....In this moment of dread and terror the reporter sent a silent prayer up to the Creator of the threatened world."

http://superman.nu/seventy/reign/?page=8 (http://superman.nu/seventy/reign/?page=8)


__________________

[Jeff O.]

Over at Oddball Comics this week, my buddy Dan Hollis filed a very detailed report of what it was like to make a "fan pilgrimage" to visit the most hospitable Uncle Forry and his out-of-this-world collection!

http://www.oddballcomics.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1845 (http://www.oddballcomics.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1845)


And last month, when word started to spread that Forry might really be near the end this time, our own Scott Shaw! shared a great story about how teen Scott! and his teenage pals once helped Forry after the original Ackermansion had been robbed! (Hey, why wasn't Frankenstein standing guard in the first place? Was the Invisible Man a suspect?)

http://www.oddballcomics.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1809 (http://www.oddballcomics.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1809)


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