David Seidman, marketing director of Claypool Comics, saw the news of Will Eisner's death (see 'EXTRA: In Memoriam: Will Eisner') and shared his thoughts:

 

Whenever I wonder about how I want to live when I get older, one of my first answers is 'Will Eisner.'  The stereotype of an older man is one who's finished with his life's work, who's always looking back toward his time of glorious achievements, who's grumbling that the good old days were better and today's creators are nothing compared to the greats of the past.  Will Eisner was none of that.  To the end, he was still creating fresh and innovative comics, still looking forward, still open to new ideas and welcoming to new creators.  And doing it well, with no diminishing of his talent, skill or passion.

 

These days, many comics creators strive to create works of high artistry and even deep meaning.   It's a hard goal, and most people don't reach it, but at least they've got company; they're not alone in making the attempt.  But Eisner -- in his early years, no one else was creating comics with his sophistication and quality.  Hardly anyone was even trying.  When he first started striving back in the early '40s, he was virtually the first and only to insist that comics is an art form worthy of respect, not just a device for delivering action and gags.  When he suggested the idea, some of his peers actually shouted at him for being so high-falutin'. 

 

As an old man, as a young man, as a writer and artist and businessman, Will Eisner led us all.  And he still does.  Rest in peace.