I was going to wait on this one, but since this is so timely, I decided to get this guy out of the way now. I give you #5 on the MY HEROES list: SCOTT KURTZ.
I almost missed this dude. I bought the first copy of his PVP Image comic when it premeired, but never followed up on it. I don't play many new video games, so I felt that the humor might be lost to me. But years later, I re-discovered him through interviews on various podcasts and things. I found him to be a very funny, talented guy. So, I went back and picked up ALL the PVP back issues and to my delight, it simply is not a "gamer" comic. Its a comic about a group of folks who work at a magazine, doing copy, graphics work (stuff I can relate to) and the relationships therein. His humor shines in each strip with pop culture references and self references. He's not afraid to put his thoughts into each strip. I sometimes feel as the characters all speak with his voice. Which, I think is true of ALL cartoonists to an extent.
One thing about Scott Kurtz that I've learned is that he is a very passionate person. He sticks his voice and neck out for things he strongly believes in. At times, this gets him into trouble. He sometimes can be a vocal minority. Martin Luther King Jr. said that is easy to go along with the majority of voices, and therefore takes courage to differ with this majority. In this, Kurtz is a couragous man, in that he defends strongly that which he believes. He gives a voice to those who cannot speak as loudly. To me, that means a hell of alot. Sadly, some people really give him a hard time about it. On the contrary, I think its one of his greatest strengths. I hope that no matter what vocal slings and arrows are sent his way, he remains as steadfast/unmovable as he always has been.
As I learned more about the man himself, I learned about many parallels in his life and mine. Of course, I've never met him nor do I know him personally, but from what I can gather through his comics and his talking live, we're quite alike. Perhaps long lost relatives. Who knows right? But seriously, this guy is someone of my modern influences who I definately look up to. He's a successful cartoonist, businessman, thinker and provider, who isn't afraid to try on new and innovative things. He's always stepping ahead trying out new technology, always to keep up on the toes of this fast track world of webcomics and life post year 2000 in general.
He is the Miles Davis of webcomics. The birth of cool, the creator of fusion.
The reason I bumped up this HEROES plug for him is because this past weekend, was his 10th Anniversary of his comic, PVP ( which you can find at http://www.pvponline.com ). For someone to keep at it that long, and still maintain the spotlight and huge loyal fanbase he has, that is a hell of an accomplishment. Still ever humble, he's asking us for more time which he thinks is borrowed. Well sir, I can tell you, take all the time you want. I'll be reading daily.
So 10 year cheers for Scott Kurtz, a modern hero of mine. May the comic gods give you 10 more years of success, and beyond.
Cheers, T
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