A truly heartbreaking day...
I know I have tendency to prattle on about these but this one does hurt. A lot.
I never got to meet Carlos. After becoming friends with the folks on a Judge Dredd Fan Group on FB I discovered it was possible with some manners and patience to contact Carlos through FB and discuss personal sketches with him. Of course I never plucked up the courage to do it...I suppose that’s not an issue now. Hindsight playing the bitch as always...
When I first saw Carlos' artwork it really was a paradigm shift for me. It was like watching heavy metal artwork come to life. Like watching slabs of stone duke it out in a dystopian future brimming with violence, humour and satire. When I was a nipper I yearned for the Dark Horse comics from the top shelf. Aliens, Predator, Terminator etc...but 2000AD? That was down in the trenches with the Beano and Whizzer and Chips. THAT was allowed...and just like that Carlos set up shop in my pop culture evolution.
I suppose one of the most heartbreaking parts of growing up is realising that nothing is permanent. Everything...people, things, feelings...they all change and sadly slip away into whatever comes next. But people like Carlos leave behind something that truly endures. A legacy of Justice that comic book readers for years to come will share and enjoy. We lost the man, but the legend is always on our book shelves..ready to take Law to the Lawless.
Safe travels Carlos.
Court is adjourned.
