Remembering George A. Romero by John Skipp
In a life full of great art heroes, who taught me to TELL THE TRUTH AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, IN EVERY SINGLE THING YOU DO, WHETHER ANYBODY FUCKING LIKES IT OR NOT, nobody has ever inspired me harder than George A. Romero. Who we lost Sunday. But have forever.
Just yesterday, Jonathan Maberry, David J. Schow and I were at Dark Delicacies, signing Nights of the Living Dead, which George and Jonathan co-edited. and which was released just a couple of days ago. And though I knew from reading the galleys that it was gonna happen, it was kind of surreal to see that the book had actually been dedicated to me.
I’m too sad and hammered to put the actual dedication up. But it was one of the proudest moments of my life. And one of the last things we did at that signing was to take this picture, below, holding up our book that we did together. HIS BOOK, which we were lucky enough to be a part of.
He specifically requested this picture. Jonathan sent it straight away. So I’d like to think he got a chance to see it. See how happy and proud to be there we were.
It’s the closest thing we’ll ever get to saying goodbye.
I’m gonna go a little Tibetan Book of the Dead here, and just say,,,as if he could hear it, and it might help, on his way from here to there…
I LOVE YOU, GEORGE!!! You fought and fought to say things that mattered, in a genre that often only cared about the next kill scene. You got fucked and fucked and fucked again, while the visions you created got cashed in on by a gazillion people, almost none of them you.
You have always been one of those artists who never stopped pushing, because you never stopped caring. Not just about the art, but about the social conditions afflicting us. Decade after decade, ahead of the cultural conversation. Sometimes provoking it. Sometimes utterly ignored.
You have always cared. And I trust you will take that to wherever next you go, being a glorious thorn in the side of all those forces who seek to keep us asleep, and obedient, and unaware of how much we truly matter to each other.
I would neither be the artist nor the human being I have become without you. And can never, ever thank you enough.
Every single thing I ever did, tried to do, attempt now, and do from now until I’m dead bears the mark of your honor, and sincerity, and devotion. I could not be more proud of you, inspired by you, or more lovingly grateful for all you’ve done and been.
Now go rock the next slice of multiverse you land in. YOU ARE SOOOOOOO LOVED. My greatest sorrow is how much this world’s unlove hurt.
So please, as you go, feel the love so many many of us have. I’m really glad you’ve always known how much I fucking love you, and thank you. Cuz I was never shy about that.
And that will have to do.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna cry some more.
Yer pal in foreverness,
– John Skipp
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