CHARLOTTE, NC (June 16, 2008) When Mike Wieringo abruptly passed away last August, the comics industry lost more than a great artist and creator – it lost a friend. Now, Mike’s family has teamed with the Savannah College of Art and Design to create The Mike Wieringo Scholarship or “The ‘Ringo” to help keep his spirit of generosity alive.

Created by Mike’s brother Matt and his sister-in-law Suzanne, the ‘Ringo is designed to help provide similar help to artists at the Savannah College of Art and Design or SCAD. Domestic and international students with have a minimum 3.0 grade point average who demonstrate financial need and display a serious interest in pursuing comics as a career are eligible. The scholarship will take effect in the artist’s second year of classes, and is renewable for up to two additional years, provided the student continues to meet the criteria.

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In memory of Mike Wieringo, who passed away Aug. 12, Project: Rooftop has announced an open call for redesigns of Bart Allen (Impulse/Kid Flash/The Flash), the character created in 1994 by Wieringo and Mark Waid.

Submissions will be accepted through Sunday, with the best entries showcased during a special “Wieringo Week,” which also will feature some of the best costume work from Wieringo’s career.

“Mike had a timeless appreciation for these awesome characters and enjoyed the heck out of online costuming/drawing events, so I think he’d really dig this kind of fun being held in his honor,” writes Project: Rooftop founder Dean Trippe. “Whether you consider yourself a friend, fan, or both, come join us in remembering Mike Wieringo, whose incredible artwork and unfailing kindness continue to serve as a source of unending inspiration and joy.”

For full details, visit the Project: Rooftop website at www.projectrooftop.com.

I really really really don’t like reporting on the death of comic creators, journalists, and others in the industry. It is just a huge bummer that brings everyone down, which is why I didn’t make a big deal of it yesterday.

So instead of going on about what a tragedy it is to lose a talented artist like Mike, I suggest everyone check out his sketch blog site and rejoice in his talent.

Next to Humberto Ramos’s work on Impulse and Flash, I like Mike’s work best on those titles.

You can check out Mike’s bio over at Wikipedia, and more of his sketches at Mike’s Sketch Site.

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