This past April, tragedy struck the comic book industry when critically-acclaimed artist, Ed Piskor passed away suddenly at the age of just 41. Piskor was a lifelong artist, doodling and sketching as early as the time he was first able to pick up a pencil. His childhood was spent in front of a large drawing table, where he would spend hours perfecting super heroes, monsters, and cosmic creatures. His family nurtured his gifts, setting up him with all the supplies he would need and a space to create in their Homestead home, a town located just a few miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River, one of the landmarks that the region is known for.
“My brother Ed has always been drawing. From the time he could hold a pencil, my parents encouraged him and supplied him with everything he needed to draw. He used to draw his own X-Men comics. He would create his own zines that he would sell at conventions,” explained Bobby Piskor, who is affectionately known around the Pittsburgh scene as “Potter,” a reference to the JK Rowling character.
The entertainment gene runs in the family, as Bobby has worked as a professional wrestler, referee, trainer, and organizer throughout the past 25 years. So, it wasn’t a surprise to Bobby or the rest of the Piskor family when Ed’s artistic skills began to get noticed on a national and even international level as he poured himself into his sketch pad daily.
“We all knew that Eddie would make it. It never changed who he was as a brother. I was so happy for all of his success. We were so proud of him and knew how hard he worked for his success,” Bobby added.
Some of Piskor’s most notable works included Hip Hop Tree House, a comic book series that was published in various forms over the years that covered the early years of the genre. The music-based narrative received accolades from The New York Times and The Washington Post, as well as winning an Eisner Award in 2015. After Ed turned pro in 2005, his portfolio overflowed with a slew of print media, as his sketch pad was the first step for designs that were featured magazine covers, online content, and a myriad of other forms of media.
As mentioned, with Bobby’s extensive involvement in the world of professional wrestling, a genre that has a lengthy history in the Piskors’ hometown, it wasn’t uncommon for the grappling arts to be a topic of conversation in their household during their youth. In an homage to the enthusiasm that the brothers had for the pro wrestling industry, there were plans for a wrestling project from Ed.
“He loved wrestling, from an early age we watched wrestling as a family. Even in our teenage years we would attend local wrestling matches often. One of his first big breaks came from a show on Adult Swim called Mongo Wrestling Alliance, where he designed all of the characters for the show. After he completed Hip Hop Family Tree, he was working on a wrestling project and was writing a story for a wrestling comic. He would accompany me to various shows with Jim Rugg and Tom Scioli where they could see behind the scenes to authenticate the story. I’m sad this will never be finalized,” Bobby said.
Ed made his name in a very grass roots manner, providing his own distinctive flare and style to that art form that built him a steady fan following over the years. One of the most popular projects that Ed became involved in was when he teamed up with fellow Pittsburgh illustrator, Jim Rugg for a YouTube series titled Cartoonist Kayfabe, a nod to the pro wrestling term used to describe the ability to maintain storylines for the audience. The video series brought the two cartoonist buddies together to discuss comic book history, artistic style, and a breakdown of the overall presentation of each book. The behind-the-scenes aspect of two professional illustrators bringing their conversations to the fans became a wildly popular series on the YouTube platform.Today, as a tribute to Ed’s legacy and passion for comics, the Cartoonist Kayfabe library, which consist of nearly 2000 videos, remains online to educate and inspire artists in the future.
“His YouTube channel, Cartoonist Kayfabe was a show he and Jim Rugg created. It blew up into a very popular show where they would deep dive into comics and artists, Bobby said.
As mentioned, Ed’s sudden passing in April of this year hit the comic industry very hard as many still struggle with the loss of an underground artist that made it big, but always maintained his independent spirit and style for the genre. In a shining example of how things came full circle for the artist was in 2017 when he began work on X-Men Grand Design, and the project remains one of his most acclaimed works even today. The youngster that sat at a drafting table and created his own X-Men comics as an example of his love for the art form went on to become a professional actually illustrating and shaping the direction of X-Men comics to inspire others to chase their cartoonist dreams.
With that in mind, Bobby and the Piskor family wanted to continue to allow his legacy to provide a platform and to inspire the next generation of artists. This Saturday in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, not far from Ed’s childhood home, the first Eddie P Comic Con will be held in his honor, with comic books, collectibles, music, t-shirts, and other merchandise for sale from vendors. Of course, there will be several artists in attendance to showcase their work, the same way a young Eddie did at conventions when he was searching for his big break in the industry. There will also be a raffle with the proceeds going to the suicide prevention hotline. The event will run from 12-6 PM at 3900 Greensprings Ave, West Mifflin, PA with tickets just five dollars at the door.
“My brother loved young underground artists. So, we wanted to give a platform for these artists to get seen and be get noticed, Also. my family and I will be doing a very special Q&A hosted by West Coast Davengers. Jim Rugg and Bryan Moss, will be on the panel as well,” Bobby explained.
Many of Eddie’s friends and peers will be in attendance, but there were also be a very special guest from the world of professional wrestling at the comic con as well. Henry Godwinn, former two-time WWF tag team champion, will be making a rare appearance to sign autographs and take photos with fans.
When I caught up with the hog farmer that brought the infamous slop bucket to national television in the mid-90s, he was outside of his physical therapist office, keeping up with an exercise routine to offset the toll a few decades in the ring took on him.
“Me and Bobby met, Mr. Plummer had me up to the International Wrestling Cartel organization three times, and me and Bobby Potter met up there. He’s a great guy, very knowledgeable about the business. That was a good company to work for and we became friends. We keep up with each other, I met his family so when he called and asked me to be a part of Ed’s convention, you know, I thought it was a celebration of his life. I lost a son, I went through a lot of stuff, but to have support from your friends and family is a big thing. I told him I would be there so if everyone can be there and show a little bit of support and come out and meet me, one half of the Godwinns, two-time tag team champs, I’ll be there. Supporting Mr. Potter, it will be a good time of fellowship, telling old stories, and celebrate Ed’s life,” said Henry Godwinn via phone.
“My brother was one of the hardest working people I knew. His passion for comics and art will never be duplicated. He lived his life by his own set of rules. He will truly be missed not only by us, but the entire world,” concluded Bobby Piskor
For more information about the Eddie P Comic Con, you can go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2175775789487736
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Until next week
-Jim LaMotta
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