I was notified about this by Nyte on the discord, she wasn't up to doing it. I didn't know Mjb that well, but he was a huge part of the early community and this really sucks.
https://www.meltonmortuary.com/obituary/Michael-Blankenship?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3qOkDReuwTdcrsgBzEAZtpuYBTjjW1pbVc-6RlOdA8zl7bX2LzZ38SIAo_aem_AccKN9DlBgz1D6PVjnaceg8Zbvlz6tKFwvLCq6DwUROoP0uRVKzrVz9Joiv8dMAM_Br3ryq-6G1I42OTHm7HQxUW
Very sad news.
RIP MJB.
Post has been edited. Sorry, I did this in a hurry before work, and I've been busy all morning.
This is very sad news. He was much too young. I was just looking at some of his creations a few weeks ago.
As SA said R.I.P. MJB.
I got home late from work hating everyone & everything, now I see this. Now I just hate life in general. He definitely did not deserve this. This is a hard one to take.
Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear this. I didn't know MJB well; my era was a little after his, but I know he was a huge part of this community, and he always seemed like a great guy. My condolences to his family and to all here who knew him well and loved him.
Holy smokes. I, too, was late to the game in knowing him, but he stood tall amongst the others when I was but a youth.
Sad news indeed.
I'm having a hard time getting my thoughts together over this. I've knew MJB for as long as I was a part of this community. From myFF to these boards here.
He was one of the first members of Electric Freedom. He was a talented skinner, even if he himself didn't think so. He was a gifted artist very much in the style of Jim Mahfood. He was a comics fan, a nerd, and much more.
He was friendly to newcomers to this community. He had a terrific sense of humor. He didn't mind being the butt of a joke, but he was just as ready to return the favor. He was so many different things to do many different people.
To me, he was a friend. We found out that not only were we both from WVa, but we had lived close by each other. Heck, his family might have even stopped at my father's service station for gas while I was working there. Many of us used to meet in the FR's Chat Shack and spend hours just goofing off, chatting about comics, movies, life in general.
We even got to meet years ago at the Wizard World Con, along with other members of FR. How cool that was.
And on here, we got into so much chaos. From X-Stream's apartment thread, to DOOM's invasion (Spoiler, he was DOOM), to Site Wars, and just general insanity. And he was someone you could count on to be an ear when you needed it.
The biggest thing I will always regret is that we drifted apart in later years, as people often do. But I take some modicum of relief that he is at rest now, far away from the struggles and pains of this existence.
Years ago, I made a figure on Hero Forge of MJB. I went back and redid it after.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7Y9qr2CP/Mjb-wave-screenshot-1.png)
And EmJayBee, I just want to tell you, I love you, my mountaineer bro, and this isn't goodbye...
It's just a see you later.
That's a lovely tribute and a beautiful sentiment, ND.
What Benton said. Condolences Nyte Dragon.
Really sorry to hear this. MJB was here back when I first got into Freedom Force.
I'm sorry to hear that MJB passed away. It was always fun teaming with him in City of Heroes.
He had a unique comic art style. The pieces that he created for me are cherished.
We'll miss you Meej, R.I.P.
Wow. I don't know how I missed this over the last couple of days. MJB was such a sweet guy and I was always a huge fan of his. He will be missed greatly.
Sorry to hear about our loss, RIP MJB
We've lost a good one... Thinking of him brings back memories of the early days of the FF community. Thanks for letting us know, Tom and Nyte. Condolences to all.
Sad news, R.I.P MJB.
I'm so shocked and sad to see this. He was so young. His art was a big influence on me as a teen artist when I got into Freedom Force over twenty years ago and I still have all the avatar art he made for me. I remember teaming up with him a lot in City of Heroes, too.
Rest in peace, Meejub.
Rip MJB
I've been away from the forum for a few months, this is sad news... May MJB R.I.P.
Dana
RIP MJB