Sheldon Dorf, founder of sci-fi, fantasy convention Comic-Con, dies
Filed under: Technology, People
Spanning four days and attracting tens of thousands of attendees, Comic-Con was the second festival that Dorf created. When he was living in Michigan, he mounted the "Detroit Triple Fan Fair," a local gathering for comic book fans. The DTFF continued after Dorf left for California, but it never reached the level of pop-culture relevance attained by Comic-Con.
At the time that Dorf stepped into the scene, comic books, science fiction and horror were located on the outer edges of popular culture, and were largely perceived as the province of adolescent boys. Still, as Dorf's first Comic-Con event showed, there was a groundswell for the genre. While the original 300 attendees pale beside this year's massive 125,000-person turnout, it was impressive for what was, at the time, a regional event.
As Comic-Con's numbers continued to expand over the years, so did its focus. At the 1970 Comic-Con, the featured speakers included horror film fanatic Forrest J. Ackerman, authors Ray Bradbury and A.E. Van Vogt, and comic book artist Jack Kirby -- a group that demonstrated the fairly narrow boundaries of the convention's world at the time. But, as fantasy, science fiction, and comic books started to embrace a wider universe of perspectives, Comic-Con's speaker lineup expanded, too. In recent years, underground artists like Kim Dietch and Howard Chaykin have joined lesbian icon Alison Bechdel, postmodern noir writer Warren Ellis and dozens of other niche luminaries on the convention's guest list.
Comic-Con's growth has also reflected a change in the world of speculative fiction and comic books. After all, 1970 was a year after the airing of the last episode of Star Trek and seven years before the release of Star Wars. In terms of comics, it was eight years before the release of the first graphic novel and decades before the first comic book film that was really aimed at adults. It would be excessive to credit Dorf with the gritty, mature perspective of A History of Violence or The Dark Knight, but Comic-Con has certainly had a lot to do with the rising profile -- and potential -- of the genre. As a crucible for fans, writers, artists, and filmmakers, it has launched careers, inspired artists and helped expand the boundaries of comic books and speculative fiction.
Dorf stopped attending Comic-Con in 2001, as his vision of the event increasingly conflicted with that of its other organizers. However, his creation continues on, inspiring fresh generations of fans and artists.



























Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-06-2009 @ 9:08AM
Colonel Barrow said...
Sheldon was a fan of comics. He truly loved them and the shows he produced were always planned with the fan in mind. I still have the books and artwork Jack Kirby signed for me in 1970. Although Sheldon and I lost contact over the years, I have followed his accomplishments and I AM PROUD to have known him. Hopefully his legacy will be observed in future shows. Would hate to see it turned into a Mid-Ohio kind of circus.
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11-06-2009 @ 9:12AM
Tara said...
While I've never had the pleasure of attending Comic-Con due to my current residence on the East coast, I am most certain that he has created one of the most revolutionizing events for geeks and nerds, a place where we may all congregate and meet and be assured that we may act how we wish without fear of being looked down upon.
I intend to attend this illustrious convention at some point in my life, no doubt, and when this occurs I shall keep in my heart this man who brought it into existance.
Thank you, Sheldon Dorf! Your beautiful vision has brought joy to many a convention attendee! May you rest peacefully in whatever plain of existance you believe in.
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11-06-2009 @ 9:36AM
Troy Hickman said...
Shel was quite a guy. He did a LOT for our industry, and even more for the fans. He will be sorely missed. Godspeed.
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11-09-2009 @ 7:45AM
Jan said...
Excelsior, and may your voyage be uneventful!
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11-06-2009 @ 10:39AM
cannotbelievethis said...
I like comic books. My kids have them strewn all over my house, and the way I see it, my kids are literate, they don't hesitate to dream of what can be, and if comics can do that, then they are far more valuable than the English teachers we have around here!
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11-06-2009 @ 11:36AM
Al Telles said...
I remember Shel from the first Comic-con at the El Cortez Hotel and have been miffed thatt the current organizers have seemed to shun and not give him the credit he deserved.
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11-06-2009 @ 11:40AM
paul gulacy said...
It's the dreamers who survive the generations.Farewell Sheldon.
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