George Gladir wrote for Archie Comics, Cracked, as well as some recent issues of Bart Simpson. George also co-created Sabrina the Teenage Witch with Dan De Carlo. It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of his passing last night.
During college I was fortunate enough to work my dream job as comic shop employee at Night Flight Comics. Throughout the years working there I was able to meet some amazing people in the comics industry. I met George Gladir at one of the last signings I worked. He flew in to join local Utah artist Bill Galvan for the event at Library Square.
At the time I had been playing around with a web comic about my vulgar adventures in college. My manager, Mimi Cruz, encouraged me to show George my comic strips. I was terrified by the thought. George Gladir was one of the sweetest old guys I have ever met. He wrote Archie Comics Hell’s sake. Offending him with my crass comics seemed like a sure bet.
Near the end of the day Mimi finally convinced me show him my sketch book. To my surprise he loved what he saw, or at least he was nice enough to say he did. We spoke for a while about my sequential work, as well as the timing of the jokes. He seemed to genuinely laugh at some of them. This is one of my fondest memories from my time at Night Flight.
We wish George’s family peace as they grieve this loss.