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deviouselite — Remembering Michael Turner
Published: 2009-06-26 20:18:05 +0000 UTC; Views: 9855; Favourites: 203; Downloads: 1300
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A great man died a year ago tomorrow. A man who was an inspiration and a kindred spirit. Michael Turner was taken from all of our lives after a losing battle with bone cancer. Never a man to let such things get to him, Turner lived his life to the fullest. He is the epitomy of a man with a dream. One that will never leave my heart.When I was 12 years old, I used to go to comic book stores a lot for the latest Star Wars comic. One day a gorgeous comic cover caught my eye of a woman on the cover who looks like a mermaid. I still to this day cannot tell you what Fathom is about, but I used to collect the comic for the beautiful artwork.
Last year I was reading the news and looked over an article that said Turner had passed. I skipped over it in disbelief. When it sunk in, I was devastated. I don't nomally feel this way about people who have died who I didn't know on a personal level, but I felt as if something in the universe had collapsed. I always had Supergirl on my list of costumes to finish, but I knew that I had to finish it at this point. Many times while sewing, I had to stop because I would start tearing up. Typing this now, I can feel the sting in my eyes. I wore this proud at Dragon*Con 2008 and New York Comic Con 2009.
At NYCC I stopped by the Aspen booth. I was incredibly shy and I'm sure I came off as a nutbag. I needed something. Anything. The staff there was just so... amazing. Peter, Beth, Micah, Mark, Vince and Frank were everything I had hoped. To them, they hadn't lost a boss, they had lost a close friend. Peter gave me a "Michael Turner Remembered Always" button and in the end, I felt better. He left behind some amazing people to continue on in his place. All of them signed my Turner Tribute book and flipped through the book since they hadn't seen this edition yet.
I think the reason it hit me so hard is because I never realized he was my favorite artist until he was gone. I flip through the Michael Turner Tribute Edition often and smile remembered all the amazing covers he had done. I love reading the bits and pieces about his life. I even, for once, enjoy reading Jeff Loeb's writings on him.
Turner, you will always be missed. You were nothing short of a spectacular human being. May you rest in your eternal Avalon.
We miss you and we'll never forget what an impact you had in all of our lives.
Feel free to share your own thoughts and stories.
Photography: First photo-My husband Adam Last photo: Myself
Costume was made by me based off of Turner's version of Supergirl
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Comments: 29
"I think the reason it hit me so hard is because I never realized he was my favorite artist until he was gone"
I feel exactly the same way.
Its a feeling that even today churns my stomach in mixture of melancholy and bittersweet for me. Even years after his passing I still find myself coming back to pay tribute to his artwork.
As long as fans remember and appreciate his work, his legacy lives on.
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Your costume is amazing! Did you use a pattern to sew it, and if so, which one? Or did you find the base pieces at a dance store? I am trying to make the Super Girl costume for Halloween this year, and I am having trouble finding a pattern, or base pieces to build from. Any help you can offer would be so appreciated!
Thanks!
-Denise
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Good Job on the costume, though it's unfortunate to hear about Mike's death.
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I grew up with Mike a few years in a little redneck cloned version of Deliverance kind of town called Crossville Tennessee when we were both 12 - 16 years old. He was naturally talented at everything he tried from singing solos in the school programs to winning State barefoot water skiing titles in Florida even though he lived in Tennessee. As a kid he could come off as arrogant because things seemed effortless to him so often, but even then he was always a kid with nothing but good words for you and a genuine smile. When I got in touch with him years later I was stunned at what he'd accomplished - and then stunned again by the sincerity he had while giving his time, thoughts, and advice to 2nd tier friend from Jr. High that he hadn't spoken to in 10 years. From everything I experienced from him the few times we spoke after than and everything I've read and heard from his peers it's clear that somehow the miraculous ability he had with a pencil as an artist was dwarfed by who he was and how he chose to live as a man. I can't claim I was a close friend when he died - but I miss him very much anyway - which makes sense; The world always misses a man who had the gift of inspiration. He was one of the best.
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adorable costume! what a wonderful pin. his work was truly amazing.
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he truly was an amazing man, this is a lovely tribute
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brilliant tribute, what an artist he was eh.
love the shot of you too and the close up, works really well
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I can honestly say Mike taught me how to draw (mind you I'm writing this from my photography account right now). I practically idolized him in my senior year of high school in 2002. I finally got to go to SDCC for the first time in 2005, and got to meet him at the Aspen booth. It was at a quiet time and he actually sat down with me and showed me all sorts of techniques, what sort of tools I should have, etc. I kept in touch with him after that, and couldn't believe it when I saw him at WWLA in 2007. He'd just had more tumours removed and was supposed to be in bedrest at home. He laughed it off! I was supposed to see him and some of my other buddies last summer, before SDCC. But he hadn't wanted anyone to know how sick he was. I found out from a couple of friends from Aspen the Saturday morning, and I canceled all my plans to visit the guys at the Aspen studio. I still miss him. Going to SDCC last year and not getting to joke around with him again sucked.
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I know I'm extremely late in commenting this, but I think this a very honorable and beautiful jester or piece to make for an artist you truely admired. The costume itself is wonderfully done and giving your time or both the craftmanship and the message written above is just...fantastic. I can't think of any other way to put it.
Oh, the message/story made me tear up. Yeah, I loved it haha. C:
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This is such a lovely tribute, I really enjoyed reading it.
You make a beautiful Supergirl!
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Excellent craftsmanship on the costume, and probably the best reason I have ever heard to make a costume. *fav*
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I got to spend a few hours with him once before a con. A couple friends came up to sign at a convention, and I ended up having breakfast with them and Mike before heading over to the exhibit hall. This was about the time when he was starting to blow up on Witchblade. I dunno, He was maybe eight issues in. Most people I've met in his circumstance (or even less successful circumstances) act like complete pompous asses. But he wasn't. He was very nice and down to earth. Not the least bit full of himself.
We chatted a bit over breakfast and on the drive over to the show. I only spoke with him once or twice between then and his passing, I'm sorry to say. But, those few times, he was an extremely nice guy and made me feel comfortable and accepted as a colleague.
I was quite shocked to learn of his passing last year. I thought he had beaten the cancer and never even suspected he was sick again.
Whatever anyone thinks of his artwork, the man was quite wonderful and will be missed.
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I still remember the day the news broke, it was during a convention, many of the Aspen staff had left the con to be by his side. The con went on though it felt like a veil had shrouded the day in gloom. Mike had the smile that brightened all the life that he came across, and even when the disease that was eating him away was at its worst, Mike never wavered, and dedicated himself to his craft and his fans. I will forever remember him.
RIP Mike, you are missed.
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Dawwwwww... This is an awesome pic, not just for the costume itself but your expression and everything is really great. Not exactly sure how to describe it but between the wig, the pose and the hint of a smile is all just very soft and cute. Its a very nice look for you.
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Oh my goodness I just started crying.... I was so upset for a good few months after his death. I never had the privilege of meeting him, I wish I had been able to go to NYCC or any other Comic Con. But uni took all my spare funds so I settled with buying every piece of his work I could manage.
This is such an amazing rendition of his Supergirl. You look absolutely gorgeous!
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Always liked that Supergirl suit you have.
He was a great and funny guy and i was happy to have known him. Can't believe it's a year already.
I remember the first time we met. He was walking into the con and me and Tom saw him and said hi and he actually came over to us and started talking to us. Funny thing, he was talking so much that he forgot he had a line of fans waiting for him. LOL!
But we became good friends after that and a year after that he offered me a spot in his Fathom swim suit issue.
Sad to say it never happened. On the day i was going to hand in the work was when i got the news on his cancer.
But i never forgot how cool he was with me and always saw him at the cons when he was there. And i was happy to see him a year before he past away.
You are still missed bro and will never be forgotten!
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You make an amazing supergirl!
I remember a while back, when I got back into reading and collecting comics, I would always gravitate towards Michael Turner's work, even if I didn't realize it. Something about his work was just so incredible and breath-taking. The man was so incredible, and his loss was tragic. I can't believe it's already a year tomorrow
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You make a wonderful image of Supergirl, I'm sure he would feel the same.
Funny how a thing on the surface can seem so small, a comic book cover, something someone said once, a random memory ... and yet these simple things can have so much impact in our lives.
Best wishes.
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