Comic-Con Founder Shel Dorf Dies

Thursday, November 05, 2009
By: Thomas J. Mclean

Shel Dorf, a major figure in founding and organizing the annual San Diego Comic-Con, died Nov. 3 at the age of 76.

A lifelong fan of comic strips, comic books and their creators, Dorf befriended many comics professionals and organized “fan fairs” in Michigan in the 1960s before he started what would become Comic-Con after moving to San Diego.

Dorf, who studied art and for years lettered the Steve Canyon comic strip for creator Milton Caniff, was the chairman or president of Comic-Con for years.

Comics historian Mark Evanier writes on his blog that the rapid growth of the con put a strain on his ability to manage it, forcing him to stop participating and attending sometime around 2001.

Suffering complications from diabetes, Dorf spent the last year of his life in the hospital. He is survived by his brother, Michael. Services were held Nov. 4 in San Diego.

A tribute site to Dorf has been established at www.sheldorftribute.com.

Reader Comments

• Judd Neimeier MD : Cardiologist : Random General

  Thursday, November 05, 2009

  So the ComiCon board of directors shares one heavy heart. Does this heart get paid at least ten grand for attending each board meeting because if not it is getting royally screwed as an organ.

• Pastor Gregory A. Johnson : Pastor & COO : American University of Health Sciences

  Thursday, November 05, 2009

  To love comics, to love animation, to love creativity is to love dreams.
  
  Today more than ever people need to dream, to see the possibilities God has in store for them.
  
  The loss of one who believed in dreams and who though it of import in allowing others to see their dreams become inked, etched upon the pages, canvases of our hearts, is a loss to all.
  
  May God Keep You Shel & All Of The Staff, Members & Attendees Of Comic-Con.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  Pastor Gregory A. Johnson
  (562) 988-2278
  gjohnson@auhs.edu