This is probably the only picture that exists of Rory Root and me together. We both knew each other very well, but spent very little time in proximity to one another. This picture, taken two years ago at Wonder Con in San Francisco was the beginning of a closer friendship. Ironically, this closer friendship began at an event where Rory secretly upset me! If you haven't heard the news, I hate to be the one to break it to you. Comic book retailer Rory Root died on Monday after complications from a massive hernia. He was 50 years old.
Rory was the proprietor of Comic Relief in Berkley, which is one of the very best comic book stores in the world. The stock is massive, comprehensive and all encompassing. Rory was an early advocate of Alternative Comics and Graphic Novels, and was one of the first retailers to foresee a future where the graphic novel would be the cornerstone of the comic book store. Rory called Comic Relief the Comic Bookstore, and that's what it was.
As impressive as Comic Relief was, Rory was even more impressive. His knowledge intelligence, and common sense was unsurpassed by anyone in the industry. Many times when I was asked for some info that I wasn't privy to, I would declare "I bet Rory Root knows the answer to that." If Rory didn't know, then nobody knew. And he would generously share the information with you as long as it did not betray any confidences.
Rory was a straight shooter, and was generous to a fault. He lived and breathed comics. He helped every creator who came his way. No comic book was too obscure for him to carry, no creator so bereft of talent that he would not help and them and guide them. Rory Root was the patron saint of comics.
As generous as Rory was, he could also be infuriating. He seemed to have an opinion on everything, and was quick to give it. He was so adamant about his opinion being correct, that he had little tolerance for dissenting views. This was the Rory that I knew in person, and I have known him for over 25 years. Early on, we were on opposite sides on a couple of issues that later turned out to be trivial, but alas, a cold war started between us that was to last for decades.
When the Internet started to grow, I was shocked to see a new Rory. This was a Rory with very civil and well reasoned posts on message boards. He had come up with an incredibly diplomatic voice, that presented his views without being insulting or demeaning to either side. I didn't believe that it was really him, at first. This was not the argumentative Rory that I knew! He spent a great deal of time on the internet. It was perfectly suited to his intellectual and rhetorical skills. On many forums he was the most frequent poster. On the Comic Book Industry Alliance, for example he joined in 1999, and had 10,000 posts. I joined the same year, and have 500 posts. Rory's posts were helpful, constructive and informative. He never "Flamed". These posts helped add to his worldwide acclaim.
His internet persona, like the writing of Ben Franklin, was the voice of reason. It helped to coalesce many a consensus. This was the more perfect Rory Root. This was his better part, carefully edited and fit to print. The sharp edges that some may see live were polished off after careful re-drafting.
I didn't want it that way, but for many years Rory and I were rivals. Some mutual friends noticed that his posture would change, and he would grow tense if I would enter the room. Over the years I went over to him on several occasions and tried to break the ice between us.
I remember going up to him at the end of a convention about 15 years ago. He was sitting on a table. I went up, and sat next to him. I said, "Rory, you and I have been around for a long time. I know that you are one of the best retailers in the business. You know that I am not going anywhere. I know that you are an honest and honorable guy, and I hope you feel the same way about me. I can't see any reason in the world that we should not work together and be more friendly." Rory agreed with me, and thanked me for coming over. He told me that it must have been hard for me to approach him like that. I told him that it was not at all hard for me.
Despite my efforts at détente, the freeze lasted for many years more. I came to accept that one of the most respected people in the industry did not respect me. Only recently did we begin to get a bit more friendly. In the last few years Rory visited my store twice, and called and emailed several times. We had the beginning of a friendship going after all the years of a cold war.
It's funny, but one of the key things that brought us together in the last couple of years secretly pissed me off. I have kept it quiet until now.
In 2006, Rory and I along with James Sime and Steve Mortinson appeared on a panel together at Wonder Con. The panel was on Comic Book Retailing. I have been asked to talk on about 3 panels in all my years, so it's always a rare and special occasion for me. Rory has probably been on hundreds of them. There has rarely been any sort of comic book retail programming that didn't feature Rory Root as a speaker.
My wife and kids came to lend me moral support that day, and sat right in front. I was in a good mood, and I was nice to Rory. I showed him great deference, and he was obviously moved by the gesture. I was quite pleased that we were finally getting along and bantering and joking together. What he didn't know, and nobody but my inner circle knew is that he annoyed me quite a bit that day. Once he got the mike, he spent more time talking than the other 3 panelists, and the moderator combined. He answered everybody else's questions, and was a total mike hog. He went on and on about how his store was the best, his selection was the best, he was the first winner of the Eisner Award, etc. etc. I kept quiet about being a bit miffed by his demeanor on the panel, and we actually became more friendly after that.
After the panel, my wife complemented me on my demeanor, and the few brief words that I got in before Rory stole the show. Then she said "Who was that Rory Root? He wouldn't shut up!" That was the live, in person, unedited Rory Root. The internet Rory Root was humble, diplomatic and succinct,
With all his faults, he was still the greatest retailer in the world. Although it stung me to admit it, his boast was no brag. I can't imagine a comic convention where he is not present at the best and most diverse set-up at the show. I can imagine an industry function that he does not dominate. I can't imagine a comic book web forum where he does not act as the guiding light. Rory Root was like a force of nature. The thought that he will not be around is like saying that the sun will no longer come out, and the rivers will stop flowing. Not possible.
Comic books have lost their #1 champion. He did so much for comics, and loved comics so much, that he made others seem to hate them by comparison. I want to have the best selection that I can while still making a profit. He wanted to have the best selection period. Profits be dammed. If they made it, he had it. He lived for comics 24-7, and cared about them more than anyone else ever has or will. Comics were his life. There will be no replacing Rory Root. The loss is incalculable.
I've always liked Anagrams. It's a way to obfuscate something so that only those dedicated to the hunt can find it. 
