Ricky Garduno tribute

Friend, cartoonist and nonstop creativity machine Ricky Garduno has passed away at age 35.

DUMM COMICS – Ricky

CARTOONBREW – Ricky Garduno, RIP

I had met and hung out with Ricky a handful of times in the early 2000′s, but I really began to connect with him later on when he devoted his life to a full on internet campaign. He was taking the approach of Souljaboy Tell’em, Lil B and Odd Future, just non-stop online exposure. Constantly producing. Constantly uploading. Constantly interacting with his fans. Creating a universe, really. Like the Howard Stern universe.

It was this period that I really started bonding with Ricky – he would always comment on my facebook posts and profile pics, and I looked forward to reading his deeply personal, twisted&hysterical ‘ 1930 Nightmare Theatre‘ comics once, twice and even three times a week, I looked forward to his seemingly endless ‘Scoundrel Deluxe’ tumblr feed, his thoughtful movie reviews on flixster, I enjoyed laughing with him over ridiculous youtube videos like ‘Ronald McDonald Insanity’ and ‘ Ronald feat. Burger&Fries sing Super Mario‘, admiring eminem lyrics, drooling over rare Star Wars collectables, celebrating Nicki Minaj fashion statements, sharing our enjoyment of fast food Dominoes, Taco Bell and big budget action blockbusters, internet memes, LOLCATS, funny animated gifs, etc….

Ricky was my online pal – and I miss him dearly.

Thank you, Ricky, for sharing your life with us so raw and honestly – your overwhelming generosity was above and beyond the call of duty…. you touched a hell of a lot of peoples’ lives from all over the world….and we will never forget you.

Here’s one of my favorite 1930 Nightmare Theatre comics:

so goddamned good

THINKING ABOUT RICKY, DRAWING SESSION 1

THINKING ABOUT RICKY, DRAWING SESSION 2

THINKING ABOUT RICKY, DRAWING SESSION 3

If there’s one thing I learned from Ricky and will carry on, is to share. Share share share. Share drawings. Share comics. Share thoughts. Share pictures that make you laugh. Share music that motivates you, videos that crack you up, songs that move you to tears…. Open yourself up, make yourself vulnerable, and just share the real, raw and honest you. Share share share.

RIP Ricky