ordinary life is a pretty complex thing

I found out that Harvey Pekar passed today, cult creator of the American Splendor comic series which dryly documents his everyday experiences and afflictions. 

I got to know him and his work through the 2003 film by the same title, which stars Paul Giamatti as Harvey, interwoven around interviews with the man himself. It's one of the more funny and true-ringing biographies I've seen, creatively edited with comic book components:

A couple of empathy-related quotes from Harvey, via Dan Evon and IndyPosted: "Everybody’s like everybody else, and everybody’s different from everybody else."  And, "It makes you feel good to know that there’s other people afflicted like you."

Rest in peace, Harvey Pekar.  The world lost a good man.

(post title quote from American Splendor preview; dvd cover © HBO Video '04)