SAN DIEGO (CBS 8 / CNS) - The man who founded Comic-Con has died. Shel Dorf died Tuesday at Sharp Hospital after a long illness.
Dorf started the San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 at the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego, after moving to San Diego from Detroit.
He spent the next 15 years as a leader of the annual convention, which promotes comics and related popular art forms, including sci-fi movies and animated TV shows.
Dorf was 76 and is survived by his brother. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Home of Peace cemetery located at 3668 Imperial Avenue.
Comments
I knew Shel Dorf
Back in the seventies when my brother and I were working in comics, we used to drive up to San Diego to visit with Shel and once we even got to meet his boss, Milt Caniff. (Shel lettered Milt's strip Steve Canyon for the last 14 years of its run.)
Shel was an incredibly kind man who always found something positive to say about any creative effort, while at the same time offering true constructive criticism. He's been very ill and non-responsive for some time and while I'm sad that he's gone, it's a relief to know that he is out of the prison the form of his dying took.
If I were of his faith, I would follow the rituals and say the proper prayers. Since I'm not, I'll just take a few minutes to remember a man I liked, respected and admired.
Goodbye, Shel. If there's a comic strip heaven, I know you'll be starting a con.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.