Photo © Liz Hafalia/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images
John McMeel, who co-founded Universal Press and Andrews McMeel Universal, passed away on July 7th.
McMeel was a big name, and one who loved and nurtured comics and syndicated features. Richard Thompson introduced me to him some years back and he was one of the nicest fellows ever.
From the Kansas City Star:
"John P. McMeel, a newspaper syndicator who enlivened American funny pages with the distribution of comic strips such as 'Doonesbury,' 'Calvin and Hobbes' and 'Cathy' and delivered the writings of columnists including Abigail Van Buren and Garry Wills to millions of readers across the United States, died July 7 at his home in Kansas City. He was 85.
"His company, founded as Universal Press Syndicate and now called Andrews McMeel Universal, announced his death this week but did not cite a cause.
"McMeel, a law school dropout once dubbed 'Deals McMeel' for his gift for salesmanship, started his syndicate with friend Jim Andrews in 1970. With an early coup — the first cartoonist they signed was Garry Trudeau, then a student cartoonist for the Yale Daily News and later of 'Doonesbury' fame — their operation grew into the world’s largest independent newspaper syndicate."
From AMU Chairman Hugh Andrews:
"For John, it was all about relationships. He cared deeply, certainly for his family, but also for our talented creators, associates, and business partners, ensuring all felt valued, and welcome. Determined, considerate, and thoughtful, not only was he the only business partner I have ever had, he was like a second father to me.
"For nearly 60 years, the Andrews and McMeel families have worked, and enjoyed life, together. All who have had the good fortune to know John will deeply mourn his loss, and each of us will remember, and miss him, in our own way.
"Please remember Susan, Maureen, Suzanne, Bridget, and their families, in your thoughts and prayers."
The Daily Cartoonist has a round up of cartoonists' comments on McMeel's influence here.
Related:
Thanks to Dan Rosandich for the Kansas City Star link.
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