tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post7242440568674901036..comments2024-03-28T05:23:01.707-05:00Comments on A MOMENT OF CEREBUS: Weekly Update #51: John Balge (1954 - 2014)A Moment Of Cerebushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02718525538144698138noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-64991827014872243502022-09-06T09:13:52.796-05:002022-09-06T09:13:52.796-05:00Of course, I'm reading this 8 years later but ...Of course, I'm reading this 8 years later but this was a fascinating read to me.<br /><br />As a kid, I knew John as the guy my dad would give a ride home, to and from Spaenaur. He was always very nice. I only knew him as the guy who worked with my dad, and the guy who had a messy collection of vinyl records - several of which he made cassette copies for my mom.<br /><br />One of the strange memories I have of him is where he lived. I can't remember the street, but I remember it was an apartment that had these long, twisty stairs that lead to the ground. I always worried that he would fall during Winter.<br /><br />My dad was pretty sad when he found out about his death. I always was curious about John's personal life, as he was single and as far as I knew as a kid, didn't have a girlfriend. Which as I became a teenager, I thought he was gay. The things we kids think about.<br /><br />Learning he was influential with Canadian comic books is really cool.<br /><br />RIPAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11730441400609325879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-73693728441463264592014-11-02T09:47:51.506-06:002014-11-02T09:47:51.506-06:00I enjoyed this tribute, Dave. I was just reading I...I enjoyed this tribute, Dave. I was just reading Ivan's latest blog about the Canadian Whites and he led readers here. Canar rings just the faintest of bells...i wish I could say I was handling it back in the day, along with other 'zines and comix, but not sure without some digging.<br />Gene Day was such a talent, seeing his early work would add to the interest for a collection...though your own would also be the bigger draw. The many interviews sound like fun. Perhaps you could blog one or more of the best ones. Like Jackie Estrada's new book of photos from 1970s San Diego Comic-Cons, its fascinating to see and read of the pros in those very earliest days of growing recognition of their work.<br />Bud PlantBud Planthttp://budsartbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-75154083787336720932014-10-28T08:08:43.245-05:002014-10-28T08:08:43.245-05:00So sad to hear of this, Dave and I can see by what...So sad to hear of this, Dave and I can see by what you write that John was a a real human being. You gave me a DVD with all the issues of CANAR on it last year to try to get it to John. It was impossible to get a hold of him. He apparently had become quite reclusive, but when I visited Waterloo, Andy of Carry on Comics said that he visited periodically and that I could leave the DVD with him and he would pass it on to John the next time he was in. I do hope that this happened and that John got to see all those great issues again last year.<br /><br />Ivan KocmarekAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-66970339574928909692014-10-12T12:38:58.989-05:002014-10-12T12:38:58.989-05:00It appears that 40 years later, the "Moody Bl...It appears that 40 years later, the "Moody Blues Book Cafe" is at the same Regina Street North address as the old Regina Book Exchange. Is it still in the basement?!?CerebusTVhttp://cerebustv.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-26202431092109612942014-10-06T00:46:33.270-05:002014-10-06T00:46:33.270-05:00"..the K-W Book Exchange, Kitchener's pre..."..the K-W Book Exchange, Kitchener's pre-Now & Then Books comic-book hangout."<br /><br />There was even more at the Regina Street Book Exchange, a K-W *basement* comic book hangout, though strictly speaking in the twin city of Waterloo. You'd enter through a basement door which rang a bell, whereupon someone would come down the basement stairs to make sure you didn't stuff any comic books down your pants.CerebusTVhttp://cerebustv.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-61759817186603530412014-10-05T21:21:30.213-05:002014-10-05T21:21:30.213-05:00Dave, Thank you so much for coming to the Memorial...Dave, Thank you so much for coming to the Memorial Service yesterday. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk but we will catch up with a coffee after the election. I learned a lot from your post, as I didn't meet John until 1974 and we never talked about CARAR other than I knew he did it and you helped him with it. Yes, at Harry's grave it was just the three of us, and now only two. We lost a good one, but he didn't suffer and he lived life on his terms for 60 years. Thank you again for taking the time to write this wonderful tribute to John.<br />2 out 3<br />Dan GrahamDan Grahamhttp://dangrahamward2.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-15389453114852531142014-10-03T20:32:18.713-05:002014-10-03T20:32:18.713-05:00My condolences to John's family and friends. I...My condolences to John's family and friends. I'm sorry for their loss ( as well as yours Dave, knowing how important a role he played early on in your career, even before it was a career). <br /><br />I too would be interested in reading those issues of CANAR. Especially after hearing all the hard work and devotion that went into producing them.Eddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11831826350149920878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-41713353113982778002014-10-03T19:34:24.152-05:002014-10-03T19:34:24.152-05:00As ever, Dave, very classy. You are a faithful &qu...As ever, Dave, very classy. You are a faithful "friend".Jeff Seilerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543690118315946039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2837001751311078781.post-16462203480485368392014-10-03T18:04:14.361-05:002014-10-03T18:04:14.361-05:00I would love to see those issues of CANAR collecte...I would love to see those issues of CANAR collected.<br /><br />TrentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com