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Life is full of 'if onlys' and regrets. A few years ago, stuck at home with a bad back, confined to a chair I went a bit Rear Window. I was bothered that we didn't know what happened to one of the most distinctive, humorous, and odd artists ever to work for the House of Tharg. The rumour was he was dead, but no one knew how, why or when.
Dozens of e-mails to dozens of people, international phone calls at odd hours, and a new friendship with Alan Mackenzie resulted in the discovery that it was Massimos agent that had died and according to an Italian comics journo Massimo was alive, if not well. And that's where the 'what if' comes in.
Independantly, armed with copies of various e-mails, Robby Cox, and Rufus Dayglo went further and made contact. Massimo was alive, in bad health, but warm and friendly and touched to be remembered. As well as the most endearing letter it's ever been my pleasure to read he sent Robby a token of affection at being remembered. A little sketch he said.
Truly, it was the most beautiful water coloured, exquisitley detailed Meltdown Man cast picture I've ever seen. Perched at the top was a Alice in Wonderland style Caterpillar with the head of Massimo. And I sometimes wonder what if I'd gone further, I could have had that. How petty is that? Very. Actually, Robby deserves it. He's the biggest fan of Massimo I know. Truly loves his work. And that love was recognised by the great man, which makes me feel warmer than most things.
I recieved a mail tonight informing me that, really and truly, Massimo passed away in March. He was a great, eccentric artist. Dan Dare, Meltdown Man, The Dead, and most popularly Ace Trucking benefited from his talents, and so did the readers. One of the few artists that John Wagner would bother to create a strip for to prevent then finding work elsewhere (there's only maybe two names on that list...), and a dedicated profesional too.
His last work for Tharg, The Dead is still in the shops, and is an appropriate tribute as any, though if Tharg doesn't dedicate at least a prog to him then the world is just wrong.
Massimo Belardinelli, you'll be missed. |
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