ESPN’s Bill Simmons had a link to sadkermit.com, with a clip of everybody’s favorite frog singing Johnny Cash’s “Hurt”, complete with images of Kermit shooting up heroin and staring at portraits of Miss Piggy and Jim Henson. It reminded me of the saddest comic I ever read, Chris Aubry’s “I Still Think Of You, Jim Henson”. The piece originally ran in the back of Cerebus 162. I remember sobbing for nearly an hour when I saw it.
I’m running it here, but with some trepidation. I couldn’t find any information as to Aubry’s current whereabouts, so I’m running this without his permission. I’d feel worse about it, but the strip shouldn’t be forgotten. Chris, if you’re out there, drop me an email or comment here with what you’re currently up to (or, if you want, a request to pull this down; I’ll understand and comply).
So what’s the saddest comic you’ve ever read? Drop a line in the comments.
4:42 pm on March 30th, 2007 1
I couldn’t get through Maus. I don’t know if I could finish it. Too depressing.
Great blog you have.
10:20 pm on March 31st, 2007 2
Hi, Ray,
Currently, I’m a high school English teacher. (Having said that, I will now proceed to make as many grammatical/spelling errors as possible.) I used to get occasional letters from far away (like Canada and the UK)in response to my cartoon, which was awesome, and now I enjoy it every time I see it pop up on the Internet. I’m glad the cartoon seems to have a life of its own, and I’m glad to discover there are people like yourself who are still affected by it. Having Dave Sim ask me if he could publish it had to be one of the best and most surreal moments of my life.
News articles in 1990 described Big Bird singing Jim Henson’s signature song “Bein’ Green” in a wavering voice at Henson’s funeral. I would have given anything to hear it.
Thanks for posting the cartoon and sharing your comments.
Chris
11:10 pm on December 6th, 2007 3
I was wondering if anyone knows how to get an email to Mr. Aubry.
9:00 pm on January 2nd, 2008 4
I’d definitely have to give a vote to this unofficial “last calvin and hobbes comic.”
12:33 pm on January 12th, 2008 5
[...] expect many of our readers already know about “I still think of you, Jim Henson,” which I first saw thanks to Matt [...]
6:36 pm on January 12th, 2008 6
god that was sad. talk about a downer
2:30 am on January 14th, 2008 7
Don’t know if this qualifies, but the “Speechless” poster honoring Mel Blanc at his death always puts a lump in my throat.
Here was the best version I could find online, kind of hard to see.
poster
3:02 pm on February 24th, 2008 8
An issue of the Hulk from the 1970′s, featuring the hobo Crackajack Jackson. He dies at the end.
Bengo
http://floatinglightbulb.blogspot.com/
3:05 pm on February 24th, 2008 9
Me again. It’s Hulk 182. Here’s a detailed rundown on the story.
http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/cracjack.htm
11:48 pm on March 3rd, 2008 10
I saw him at Staple (www.staple-austin.com)
and picked up this comic. as a long-time muppet fan, i love it!
12:01 am on March 5th, 2008 11
There is another Jim Henson cartoon like the Mel Blanc one. All the muppets were sullen and acting as pallbearers for his casket.
10:15 pm on March 7th, 2008 12
[...] duplicating what other people are saying. I’ve had some success; I STILL get comments on the saddest comic post. I have had problems just fixating on the superhero-topic-of-the-day. I don’t think I’m [...]
12:20 pm on March 16th, 2008 13
Amazing Spider-Man #248, the assistant editors month. I had started collecting comics with ASM #254, and the letter column was an overflow from the previous issue. “The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man” is the backup story, and is one of the best stories Marvel has ever published. The story does things which can only be done in comics, and I’m misty eyed right now just thinking about it.
Two others, which don’t really fit here: Astro City 1/2 “The Nearness Of You” and Fantastic Four #285, “Hero”.
2:08 pm on April 9th, 2008 14
The saddest moment for me in the death of Jim Henson was a cartoon from the LA Times (I think?) sent to me as wrapping inside a package. It showed Kermit in top hat and tails, sitting in the alley outside the Muppet Theater, staring out directly at me, with a caption that read “I lost my voice.”
I’m shedding tears right now, and I read that comic nearly 18 years ago.
RIP, Jim.
12:47 am on May 4th, 2008 15
Chris,
You can find a video of Big Bird singing at Jim Henson’s funeral on YouTube. Make sure you have plenty of tissue.
3:05 pm on June 4th, 2008 16
“I had started collecting comics with ASM #254, and the letter column was an overflow from the previous issue. “The Kid Who Collected Spider-Man” is the backup story, and is one of the best stories Marvel has ever published.”
Oh my! I remember reading that one. It was the first time I ever got teary-eyed because of a comic book! It was simply powerful.
9:24 am on July 12th, 2008 17
I used to have a comic strip I had cut out when Henson died that was Mickey and Big Bird sitting on a park bench, with Mickey consoling Big Bird stating, “I know how you feel”.
I kept it for so long, but have not seen it in years. If anyone knows were it can be found on the net plase let me know.
Thanks.
7:11 pm on October 26th, 2008 18
Not the best wat to start a good post. Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” is not Johnny Cash’s. Its Trent Reznor’s. But that being said. Mine would be the one you just had me read. :.( we all miss you Jim.
2:17 am on November 7th, 2009 19
Yep, this Aussie howled when she heard Jim Henson died, but also when
Charles Schultz died – now Charlie Brown will never get the cute brown haired girl…
6:45 pm on May 17th, 2010 20
This is by far the saddest ones I have ever seen. They are from the massive earthquake two years ago in China. They are still powerful today.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?id=16587&page=article
6:52 pm on May 17th, 2010 21
A little more research and found the author’s site.
http://earthquakestrips.blogspot.com/