The man at right in the above photo is Warren Beatty in the title role of the movie, Dick Tracy. The man at left is Shel Dorf, who is usually referred to as the founder of the annual event now known as Comic-Con International. And he was, though nods should go to several other folks who helped invent that wonderful gathering. I met Shel in early 1970, months before the first convention, when it was not more than a dream he spoke of with great enthusiasm. We became instant friends and apart from a year there when a silly squabble drove us apart, we remained friends. Shel loved comics and it's easy to be friends with someone like that.
Alas, my friend is not well. For months now, he's been in a hospital in San Diego with a pretty long list of ailments including kidney failure and intermittent heart attacks. I don't like to write someone off while their heart is still beating but his condition is pretty bad. I visited him a few months ago and he was unable to speak or recognize me. The nurse on duty said he occasionally has better days.
Several of the folks who worked with Shel to start the convention have set up a website to honor his achivements. There's not a lot yet on the Shel Dorf Tribute website but there will be more, including a piece I'm preparing. But take a peek at what Mike Towry, Richard Alf and Barry Alfonso have to say so far. Those three guys were there at the beginning and they know the magnitude of Shel's contribution.