Comic-Con International President John Rogers Dead at 57
John Rogers, president of Comic-Con International since 1986, has passed away from complications related to glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 57.
The organization made the announcement via Facebook and Twitter, along with the request that donations be made to either The American Brain Tumor Association or the American Civil Liberties Union. Rogers is survived by his wife, writer Janet Tait, sister Barbara, and brother David.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John Rogers, President of Comic-Con.
John died on Saturday, November 10, 2018 as a result of complications from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. pic.twitter.com/qQnLsCvIjH
— Comic-Con International (@Comic_Con) November 10, 2018
Rogers joined the Comic-Con International organization in its early days, starting in 1978 and putting in time as Technical Coordinator and Film Coordinator. From the statement posted on Facebook: “As our longest serving president, first elected in 1986 and re-elected every year since, John’s tenure saw Comic-Con grow from a select gathering of fans to the largest and most prestigious convention of its kind in the world.”
“More than anyone else,” said Mike Towry, who was one of the founders of the show in 1970, “he made Comic-Con durable, giving it a solid business foundation so it could grow.”
“He was never the one who was before the camera, never the one who took the credit,” said Tait, who writes fantasy and adventure. “He made sure it was the team that got the credit.”
Born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, Rogers moved with his family to San Diego County when he was 18 months old. He studied computer science at UC San Diego while volunteering for Comic-Con.
Glioblastoma is a very aggressive form of brain cancer that usually begins in the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain. Although there are treatments for the condition, there is no cure at this time. The median survival time is 15 to 16 months. Rogers was diagnosed on September 10th.
The news came just hours after Comic-Con International began selling tickets for the 2019 show.
