![[NYCC] STEVE GERBER MEMORIAL](http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/wizarduniverse_2059_1284406215) "My name is Mark Evanier, and like all of you, I can think of a lot of people I'd much rather be dead than Steve Gerber. In fact some of them are guests at this convention."
Comic writer and historian, Mark Evanier opened up the Steve Gerber memorial Saturday afternoon with a short film collage of covers of comics by Gerber, from Howard the Duck to Hard Time, set to the tune of Revolution by the Beatles. Evanier then took the podium to tell a few anecdotes about Gerber and invited those in attendance to do the same.
Evanier related the first time he met Gerber at a party at Sergio Argones house. Previously he had been told to "watch out for Steve Gerber, he's crazy." He started up a conversation with someone who he wasn't sure what their name was. After really hitting it off he found out it was Gerber. "He had this great laugh," recalled Evanier.
Michael Gerber, Steve's brother took the stage, thanked those in attendance on behalf of the family, and talked about some early years. He recalled Gerber being enthralled by watching Superman on television, playing superhero himself with red towels and blue pajamas, playing with action figures and most interesting, creating comics at an early age out of paper towels.
Wonder Woman writer, Gail Simone spoke next. She regretted never meeting Gerber in person but spoke of their e-mail and phone conversations. Gerber once sent her an e-mail out of the blue saying, "I hope to hell you know how good you are," regarding Simone's work on Birds of Prey. She remarked on the vital impression that Gerber made on offbeat writers and how supportive Gerber was on their collaboration on the Helmet of Fate. Gerber gave her courage to pitch offbeat concepts to companies. She said how his later work, like Hard Time, was so gutsy and real and how other modern work simply falls short.
DC Comics publisher, Paul Levitz then spoke Gerber's dedication to fans. He called Gerber a master of the letter column and applauded his skill of communicating with readers. He also called Gerber out as one of the earliest forces in making comics a more civilized business, and how Gerber pointed out injustices in the industry and said how it ought to be. He helped shape the industry into a better place for creators.
Buzz Nixon delivered an anecdote about how Gerber had to declare bankruptcy, and when he went to court the clerk, who knew Gerber's work quite well, freaked out that this wonderful creator had to declare bankruptcy. "He had fans who loved him at the most inappropriate times," Nixon said.
Marty Pascoe, another friend from the animation business said how Gerber never expressed bitterness over the rights of Howard the Duck. He just needed to do it. Gerber was supportive over the movie, even though he knew the film makers didn't get it. Gerber fought for credit until the movie tanked. Then it became "Steve Gerber's Howard the Duck" in the eyes of Hollywood. Pascoe talked about how, at Universal Studios in 1988, people came to call Scorsese's Passion of the Christ, Christ the Duck in reference to Howard. When Pascoe eventually told Gerber, he laughed.
Gerber's daughter, Samatha spoke about her memories of her father; shopping at Guess, getting sandwiches at Jerry's Famous Deli, and going to see all the Star Wars films. "He was a fabulous writer and creator, but he was my dad," she said. "I'm truly glad his legend will live on through his writing."
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