Ed Piskor dead at age 41
Ed Piskor, best known for Hip Hop Family Tree and X-Men: Grand Design as well as the cohost of the YouTube talk show Cartoonist Kayfabe has died his family has announced. He was 41 years old.
Piskor’s sister Justine wrote on Facebook:
It is with the most broken heart that I share my big brother, Ed, has passed away today. Please just keep our family in your prayers as this is the hardest thing we’ve ever had to go through.
While the cause of death has not been made public, Piskor posted a suicide note earlier in the day in which he addresses accusations and allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior that had been made public the previous week.
An exhibition of Piskor’s art was scheduled to begin in April but was postponed after the allegations became public. Piskor in his note referenced other deals that ended due to the accusations.
In his note, Piskor said that texts shared were taken out of context and other claims were not true. He admitted for being “stupid” for continuing to talk to a 17 year old after finding out her age. He attributed the decision due to loneliness during the COVID-19 lockdown. He denied other claims, saying they “border criminal.”
Piskor’s note described his despair and the accusation’s impact on his career saying that “it’s all gone.” He added that he hoped his death “makes people think twice when joining an internet feeding frenzy.”
The news has shocked the comic industry with a wide range of thoughts and reactions.
For those dealing with depression, thinking of taking their own life, or just need someone to talk to, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 is a free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information and local resources.
I remember the first time I heard Eric B & Rakim, his voice was not like anything else in hip-hop at the time. The first song from the duo that captivated my ears, was “Let the Rhythm Hit Em”, a sonic tour de force that would have been pedestrian in lesser hands. In Rakim’s calming baritone and, and elusive wordplay, it became juggernaut, which in my mind, made rhyming, a skill. Rakim, was the one emcee, who became the standard for all other rappers to compare themselves to, and although the music’s standards have changed, he is still a revered figure.
I remember the first time I heard of the Fat Boys, it was not actually through their music. As I remembered it, I thought they were more of a gimmick versus an actual Hip Hop group. When I found out who they were, was through the movie, the Disorderlies. That is what drew to me to their music, as I saw in the movie they were actual rappers.
Hip Hop has come to be more than form of music, it is a movement. Most people don’t realize just how powerful, rap music has always been, as it has been used as a mirror to the world’s societal ills. Hip Hop has not been the first and it will not be the last music platform to do this. Anyone can listen to Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit today and can still feel the chill of her “black bodies swinging” line.
Hip Hop and comics are one of those crossroads that usually go only one way. Often, it is usually spoken about as more background music than a lifestyle or a culture. One can make the argument music and comics have never been a good match, but I will always bring up the example of the KISS comics, which had a pretty long run and has had a recent incarnation. There have been instances where hip hop has been documented but not as much as one would think.
Bigfoot: Sword Of The Earthman #3 (Action Lab) There’s a very interesting aspect to this comic; Bigfoot hasn’t said a word in three issues, and his silence is perfectly negated by the narration of his companion who’s name escapes me right now. This has been a solid series so far, with Bigfoot being stranded on Mars, this feels like a brilliant mix of Starship Troopers, John Carter: Warlord Of Mars and Conan all wrapped up in a glossy comic book story. It’s actually pretty damn good. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read
Captain Canuck #6 (Chapter House Comics) – Wrapping up the first story arc, the comic is an ok ending that wraps up the action nicely and sets us up for what’s to come. As a piece of the arc it’s a solid comic, but on it’s own it’s a bit weaker than previous comics. Still, lots of fun to read. Overall: 7.4 Recommendation: Read
Descender #10 (Image Comics) – One of the best science fiction comics on the market. Amazing story, even more amazing art. Beautiful to look at and fun to read. Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
Batman #49 (DC Comics)*: The moment we’ve all been waiting for. We knew Bruce was coming back to the cowl it was never a matter of it, it was always when. Snyder has another win this issue, as I think it’s his absolute best one yet. It delves into the Batman legacy as well as probable futures. What really stands out for me is how well Snyder gets the relationship between Alfred and Bruce. He’s not Bruce’s butler, he’s his father. Alfred doesn’t want to lose his son again. Bruce has finally got the peaceful life he’s always wanted but for Gotham to survive, he must allow Batman to return. Now I won’t spoil here as its too good, but the return method is well thought out and true to the character. Julie Madison even plays a big part. With 50 around the corner Snyder has his day numbered on the title but his impact may have crafted the best Batman run EVER. No Capullo this issue but it doesn’t suffer one bit. Yannick Paquette does a terrific job on the art chores. I cannot find any fault with this issue at all. Overall: 10/10 Recommendation: Buy this book.
Shaft: Imitation Of Life #1 (Image)**: David F. Walker returns to the character he rejuvenated — and to the street of New York — with the first of four sure-to-be-spectacular parts. John Shaft wraps up one particularly brutal case, takes some much-needed time off, and the jumps back in to handle a missing persons case that nobody else would have the balls to touch. And he picks up a gay Latino sidekick by the end? As always , Walker adds new depth and dimension to the character without compromising an ounce of bad-ass, while new artist Dietrich Smith picks up admirably from Bilquis Evely. Overall: 9/10. Recommendation: Buy.
Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab TPB (Action Lab): I always wondered what would happen if the Michael Mann masterpiece ” Collateral “, was a TV show, as this book answers that but with a supernatural twist. The Reader joins Cyrus as he navigates his personal life , avoids thugs , run ins with supernatural creatures were trying find peace for his haunted rider. In what would be a normally dark story ,there are a great many funny scenes.The story by David Dwonch proves an interesting twist to both slice of life genre and the supernatural genre. The art by Anna Lencioni, is vibrant and full of heart.Overall, fun when you least expect it. Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Read
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!