Hey guys, the Skadi storyline that was originally going to be up will continue next week, I promise. I hope the readers will be understanding about my making a tribute comic this week. It’s been over a week now since I got the news, but the bad feelings haven’t diminished much. Definitely not enough that I can make a funny or lively comic. I’m having a hard enough time pretending to be normal at work, so when it’s after hours and time to do my own thing, I’m afraid I have to be more honest with how I feel.
My more articulate friends here on Dumm and all over the Internet have already written beautiful and fitting things about Ricky, but I’m the sort of person who sometimes has trouble talking publicly about how I feel. So…I’m gonna list some of the reasons why I loved my friend. Here are the first ones that come to mind.
Ricky wasn’t embarrassed to be cheesy or kind. He gave compliments freely and easily, which is not always the case with artists.
Ricky’s personality was made up of extremes. If Ricky were a Sim in one of those games where you choose a character’s traits based on a sliding scale, for sure the little marker would always be on one side or the other. Not in the middle.
Ricky was my secret keeper, and our friendship often felt like a little kid’s club…the kind you need a password and a bizarre ritual to get into.
Ricky’s a lot like my cat, Baby Cat (AKA Little Ricky). Affectionate and loving for most of the time, and then he bites you on the nose.
Ricky was one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. He knew better than anyone that the number one ingredient to a moving story is allowing yourself to be completely honest and human when telling it.
Ricky pretended to be a wizard with me.
Ricky took the high road when we fought, even though I was stubborn and wouldn’t budge.
Ricky wasn’t afraid to use the word “love”.
Ricky’s death is the worst thing I’ve ever gone through. It feels like there is a hole in my heart. Every time I think about him, cold air blows through it and chills me to my bones. I miss him tremendously. He should be here, making people laugh, and making people think. Improving the art world with his talent and totally unique view of the world, and his ability to stay forever true to himself, regardless of what anyone else thought.
-Katie
Goddamn it Katie, I had stopped crying about Ricky, then you go and post this. Outside of 1930 nightmare theater, skadi is my favorite webcomic ever. To know how deeply you and Luke are hurting just breaks my heart. I am so sorry about all of this.
I actually don’t mind waiting for the original storyline, seeing how much Ricky’s death affected everyone here at Dumm, and I also like seeing the tribute to Ricky since it showed how much he meant to many people, including you guys. It’s fine to let it out, especially when the feeling from Skadi and Diseasoid echoed our feeling for Ricky’s passing.
This is so sweet, Katie! *hug!*
I never knew Ricky, but what you’ve said helps me to understand a little bit about what it must’ve been like to be friends with him. It sounds like you were lucky to have known him. I’m sorry for your loss, and thank you for writing this and allowing those of us who never knew him to get a slight idea of what we were missing.
I think you did a pretty good job of expressing how you feel.
I agree with Egypt. Actions do speak louder than words after all, although your words were just as lovely. My heart goes out to you, his family and all the many lucky artists who got to know him. I only wish I did too. I bet it would have been an absolute riot.
no worries.
‘sokey
I realize it doesn’t feel this way, but your last two sentences prove that Ricky IS still there, making people laugh, making people think, and continuing to improve the art world.
It feels like a loss to me and I didn’t know Ricky well. So I’m truly sorry for YOUR loss.
That said, I suspect he also would’ve heartily approved of Skadi’s partly-exposed bum in your last panel.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories Katie, I am sorry that you lost your friend and peer, Ricky. He will live on through you every day and he will always be with you when you draw comics or just think about him. He will live on through you and your friends for the rest of your lives. He’s a part of Skadi and he’s a part of Diseasy too. All my best wishes to all of you.
i know you think you are the worst at expressing it, but i think you said it best katie.
Amen, sister.
my guts twist into a knot when i think about this. I hate it.
Katie…thank you for posting this. As you said a lot of folks have posted things worth saying about a man who was genuinely a good person and to be honest? If people can’t wait a week or so for those closest to him to get over his loss to continue a ‘storyline’ then they’re possibly here for the wrong reason.
You do credit to your friend.
I’m thinking that Rick’s loss should go beyond people expressing their feelings for the lost friend/admired artist. Maybe the grief should congeal into something constructive.
What I mean is that the depression that snared Ricky is an incredibly common trait among artists. Let’s face it: the world is never kind to those who are trying to change it —that’s why so very few actually attempt to do it.
Depression used to be treated as shameful and something to be looked down until some years ago; then the big Pharma companies found it was a great marketing opportunity, and now every time someone goes through a dark period, the customary thing is to prescribe a magic pill that will take all your problems away. Soma for everyone!
The way I see it, both approaches are completely wrong. Feeling depressed when living in a society as fucked up as ours is not a sign of malady —it’s a sign of sanity. That’s IMO what fueled Rick’s acid humor; and that’s why I respected his opinion and point of view.
So, what I propose is this: maybe to establish some sort of support group for depressed artists in honor of Ricky Garduno. So creative individuals can have a sympathetic ear that also speaks the same language, and know what they are going through.
Ok, I’ll step down of the soap box now.
I think this was a very articulate tribute and was very fitting for your friend. I feel so bad for all that knew him personally. Things will never be the same but I hope everybody gets better.
I hate it too and barley even knew him, just over the internet and threw his comics. It’s still so surreal and terrible, he was a really talented person and I always wanted to know him better. I wish he could have at least turned into a Buddhist monk or something, a monk that drew comics.
Cheers Katie
Although the only way I met Ricky was here and his tumblr, since I heard of his passing I couldn’t avoid feeling sad about it. I’ve seen tributes from his friends and people who knew him and honestly is a little uncanny, I felt like I was in a funeral, uninvited. But when I read what you wrote today, I cried for the first time, the part where you list the reasons you loved him, just hit me. I knew what you had to say will have great significance and it was so. I am very sorry for your loss, Ms. Rice, you know how much I respect you and admire you, the fact that you have to pass through this makes me feel terrible. I hope you find support on your friends and family, and do whatever it takes to get through this. All the best to you. Much love.
Katie, yer a good shit. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. Skadi, and yerself, rawk.
Ricky would happy right now, knowing that you care so much about him. In whatever way you express it, you were still able to let out your feelings. It’s okay to feel sad but it’s great that you were able to remember the great things about him. Keep holding on to those memories. For now just take your time until you feel better. No one should be allowed to rush you
~Sandra
it’s very nice to see how much you cared about your friend, and that shows the kind person you are
Very beautiful Katie, you did a great job.
I feel pretty much the same as they do right now. I’m fairly sure everyone who held him near and dear feels the same.
Hang in there, Katie. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Katie, It’s amazing that you could still create something so funny and beautiful at what must be a terrible time for you. You and seem like a wonderful person Katie and I’m sure your friend Ricky knew that too. My condolences.
A beautiful tribute, Katie.
I recently introduced Dumm comics to a friend of mine and 1930 Nightmare Theatre became his instant favorite. The same friend who gave me the news. Yesterday, we were talking about which one of Ricky’s comics made us laugh the most and which moved us the most. It was as if we were talking of and old friend. I was both fun and heartbreaking. We never knew him in person, and that will always be one of my greatest regrets.
I’m so, so sorry for you loss. I’ve been a friend of Ricky’s for a long while now, and I know exactly how you feel. I grabbed my phone the other night to text him something hilarious while intoxicated and choked up when reality hit.
I know Ricky cares about you as much as you care about him. He left a lot of empty places in a lot of lives, but the only thing we can all do from now on is fill those holes with things Ricky would be proud of, laugh at and love as much as we loved him. He would also be making a dirty joke about filling said holes. And that’s why we love him.
also, I like that the title’s in the blood today.
I’m very sorry for your loss. This is a wonderful tribute. The character’s expressions break my heart. I would sincerely hope that all readers would be understanding for what you are going through. Like I’ve said before on Gabe’s comic, I am very appreciative for all of you artists and writers. Thank you for your fantastic work and deciding to continue with your comics despite this tragedy… But most importantly, make sure to take care of yourselves and take the time to heal.
RIP Ricky, I’m so sad… Definitely not anywhere as sad as those who knew him, but I always found his work deeper than other comics, and love it for that. It was always so raw and honest (?) somehow, and tragically beautiful. Hope all those close to him will heal quickly. I’m very sorry for your loss :/
Well said Katie.
Ricky told me a bit about you, Katie..
He told me that although you two had a bit of a fallout and everything, he always wished you the best and enjoyed the friendship you two shared. ^^
If you’re not the Katie he talked about, I apologize!