My thoughts on the passing of Mike Pandel

Mike Pandel was a long-time employee of A Comic Shop inOrlando, one of the finest comic book stores I've ever visited. Tragically, Mikepassed away this week, after a traffic accident. 
Regrettably, I didn't know Mike that well. I met him twice,during two different signings I did at A Comic Shop over the last few years. Signingsat A Comic Shop are different than most other store signings I've ever done. It'sbasically just one long party, where you sign and drink and mingle and laugh a lot. And very quickly you realize, there's somethingspecial about this place, and in particular about the relationship the guys atthe store have with their customers. Signing at A Comic Shop is like beinginvited to a big family reunion where you don't know anybody but you still feellike part of the family. A place where everybody truly loves life and most definitelyloves comics.
So I got to see Mike in action on more than one occasion,and it's fairly safe to say that Mike was full of life. I know that's a clichédthing to say about someone, especially after they've died. But with Mike, it's farfrom an empty statement. In all my time, in all my travels, I've met few peoplewho were truly as full of life as Mike Pandel. He was something of a madman, that'sfor sure, but the good kind of madman. The kind you wanted working at a comic bookstore, sharing his passion with every person who walked through the door. As acomic creator, I loved knowing Mike was out there on the front lines, madly lovingcomics and spreading that love every chance he got. With him gone, the rest ofus will definitely need to step it up and follow his example as best we can.
Thanks for all you did, Mike. Rest in peace.