There are times that I wish I had no friends... because when something happens it wouldn't hurt.
On our way home from the Camden Comic Con on Saturday night (as we drove by Newark Airport), Amy Kukta read the news that Norman Lee was missing while vacationing in the Cayman Islands. He and his wife Jan were snorkeling when the two were separated. The news hit me like a ton of bricks and i'm still so numb from hearing it.
This was one of the worst things I have ever heard and to have it happen to a friend makes it even more tragic. As I type this story we are now a few days after the authorities turned a 'search' into a 'recovery'. As the days have gone on it is obvious that Norman surviving this would be a miracle, but as the eternal optimist, I'm holding out for a miracle.
Norman Lee was a Boston Comic Con institution. Not only was he an amazing artist but he is a fantastic human being. His career spanned Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and his pen and pencil brought to life such iconic characters like Avengers, X- Men, Spider-Man, Planet Of The Apes and Deadpool. Always smiling and looking way younger than his almost 50 years, Norman would light up a room; Boston Comic Con, Monkey House, Rhode Island... you name it, he was there.
Norm and my relationship was born around our mutual love of the Invaders, the team that adorned his banner. We would chat at every show we would see each other but at Boston this year it was a quick pass. He did like the fact that I had a little gray growing.
I haven't given up hope that Norm is still alive, but I'm realistic that this will not end the way we all want it to.
Miss you already...