Marv Wolfman accepting the Will Eisner Hall Of Fame Award for George Perez on July 21, 2017.

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Thank you, I spoke to George last week, and he's thrilled to be able to receive this and told me that wishes he could be here. Many of you may know, that a couple of months ago, on his way to a convention and he wasn't feeling too well and checked himself into a hospital. Only to discovered a day later that he suffered a heart attack.

He is recuperating.  He is enthusiastic. He is... he sounds like George, and he is perfect, and in that way, getting better every day.

George wanted me to make sure I thanked Rich Buckler, who gave him his first job, and made this all possible for him. And also to thank his wonderful wife, Carol, for everything. This past June 26th, was their 36th anniversary. And if you've ever been to George's Facebook page, I don't have to tell you how lovely their marriage is.  He can probably tell you how many seconds they've been married.

If I may with a personal word: a Hall of Fame award is about a career, but George could be getting this for everything else in his personal life, as well.

We all go to conventions, but he gets there an hour early, because he know the convention staff doesn't have time to wait in line to get a statue or get anything.
So he make sure to get there and what they want and can't get otherwise.  So he puts himself out there for 10-12 hours, and he never gets up and he never stops.

George also donates an incredible amount of time, money, and energy to so many different charities. He's unbelievable with his willingness to help so many others.

George isn't here, and I think it's sad, because he has a weak heart, but he also has the strongest and biggest heart I've ever know. Thank you.

SMASH COMICS: GEORGE PEREZ'S WILL EISNER HALL OF FAME CEREMONY (Appearance) (05 Aug 2017)
Sanford, Florida

SMASH COMICS: GEORGE PEREZ'S WILL EISNER HALL OF FAME CEREMONY (Appearance) (05 Aug 2017)
Sanford, Florida

George Perez was inducted in the Will Eisner's Hall of Fame  at the 2017 San Diego Comic Convention.  However, due to doctor's orders, Perez could not attend the event to personally accept the award.  A small, surprise party was held today (August 5th) at the Smash Comics in Sanford, Florida, to honor  George Perez. Photos by Constance, video by Smash Comics.

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George Perez’s acceptance speech (transcribed by Vu):

Obviously, this is quite a surprise to me. Carol was very good at keeping secrets.  I can only imagine how scared she was yesterday I was having little trouble with my back getting anywhere. Thankfully, the Advil works.

I regretted not being able to go to San Diego to accept this personally. You guys have made that event seem secondary....  And they would’ve had a hard time living up to this, because, obviously I see a lot of friends here.  People I’ve known for a few years here and I love very, very dearly. I thank you for coming here and being part of the surprise.

I’ve been very lucky, obviously, it’s well documented that I’ve had issues to deal with in recent years.  And every one of those thing, I always say, “Yes, there were certain part of the genetic rules that I’m not happy being dealt, but if that’s the price I have to pay for the life I gotten, the career I have, for the loving marriage that I have - I would pay that over and over again.”

I have been blessed beyond my worth. I’ve gotten a lot of a lot of love and respect from my friends and my peers. And I get what I wanted to do since I was a child. How many people can say that? A five year old boy to a 63 year old man?  I got to play in that wonderful sandbox of comics for so long... And even though I’m not doing very much now, I’ve had a great life; I’ve had a great run. I look forward to being around to appreciate it even more.

Thank you so, so very much.

And as Marie Antoinette said, “Let them eat cake!”

 

 

SMASH COMICS: GEORGE PEREZ'S WILL EISNER HALL OF FAME CEREMONY (Appearance) (05 Aug 2017)
Sanford, Florida

George Perez was inducted in the Will Eisner's Hall of Fame  at the 2017 San Diego Comic Convention.  However, due to doctor's orders, Perez could not attend the event to personally accept the award.  A small, surprise party was held today (August 5th) at the Smash Comics in Sanford, Florida, to honor  George Perez. Photos by Constance, video by Smash Comics.

>>>
George Perez’s acceptance speech (transcribed by Vu):

Obviously, this is quite a surprise to me. Carol was very good at keeping secrets.  I can only imagine how scared she was yesterday I was having little trouble with my back getting anywhere. Thankfully, the Advil works.

I regretted not being able to go to San Diego to accept this personally. You guys have made that event seem secondary....  And they would’ve had a hard time living up to this, because, obviously I see a lot of friends here.  People I’ve known for a few years here and I love very, very dearly. I thank you for coming here and being part of the surprise.

I’ve been very lucky, obviously, it’s well documented that I’ve had issues to deal with in recent years.  And every one of those thing, I always say, “Yes, there were certain part of the genetic rules that I’m not happy being dealt, but if that’s the price I have to pay for the life I gotten, the career I have, for the loving marriage that I have - I would pay that over and over again.”

I have been blessed beyond my worth. I’ve gotten a lot of a lot of love and respect from my friends and my peers. And I get what I wanted to do since I was a child. How many people can say that? A five year old boy to a 63 year old man?  I got to play in that wonderful sandbox of comics for so long... And even though I’m not doing very much now, I’ve had a great life; I’ve had a great run. I look forward to being around to appreciate it even more.

Thank you so, so very much.

And as Marie Antoinette said, “Let them eat cake!”