Ed Piskor, known for his work on “Hip Hop Family Tree” and “X-Men: Grand Design,” as well as for cohosting the YouTube series “Cartoonist Kayfabe,” has died at the age of 41. His family announced his passing on Monday.
“My older brother, Ed, has passed away today, and my heart is broken, his sister Justine announced on Facebook.“Please keep our family in your prayers as we go through this incredibly difficult time,
his cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. However, prior to his passing, he posted what seems to be a suicide note addressing allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior that had recently come to light.
During the weekend of March 24, artist Molly Dwyer, 21, accused Piskor of trying to “groom” her at the age of 17. She provided screenshots of their 2020 texts as evidence, including one where he asked, “Are you 17 or 18? Imma be so mad if you say 17 because this crushes me at that age.”
Shortly after, another woman, Molly Wright, accused Piskor of soliciting oral sex from her in exchange for giving her his agent’s phone number.
An exhibit of Piskor’s art was set to open in April at the 707 Penn Gallery in Pittsburgh, but was indefinitely postponed on March 25 after the allegations surfaced. This information was reported by the Pittsburgh City Paper..
On March 30, “Cartoonist Kayfabe” cohost Jim Rugg distanced himself from Piskor, writingstating, “In light of the recent disturbing revelations, I have decided to reassess my professional connections to ensure that they align with my principles of respect and integrity. As a result, I have terminated my professional relationship with Ed Piskor.”
“I am powerless against a mass movement of this magnitude. Please hear my side of the story. Goodbye,” Piskor wrote on Facebook on Monday morning and included a link to a longer statement where he asserted that the texts with Dwyer had been taken out of context, denied making advances towards her, and regretted engaging with her after learning her age, in part due to the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown.
“I declare my innocence,” he affirmed. Piskor also flatly denied Wright’s accusations, characterized her actions as “almost criminal,” and proposed that his family should take legal action against her. He discredited her other claims, asserting that they had consensual sex twice, both times at her initiative.
Piskor’s work has been seen as divisive and unsettling, particularly with his recent horror comic “Red Room” from indie publisher Fantagraphics. He also authored an online comic named “Switchblade Shorties.”
In his note, the creator expressed his dismay at the consequences of the allegations, stating, “Now everything is lost. The art show is canceled. I was about to sign a $75k deal for Switchblade Shorties with Abrams. Cartoonist Kayfabe is over due to Jimmy’s ‘shocking revelations’ statement (those words hurt).”
Nonetheless, Piskor acknowledged that Rugg had reached out following the accusations, including visiting him at his home, offering a hug, and expressing love for him.
Piskor also criticized other creators who had brought attention to the accusations against him.
He mentioned that he had forgotten a sketchbook that he had discussed publishing with Fantagraphics. He requested in his note for them to be published after his death. Piskor also asked Rugg in the note to assist with his intellectual property and books.
“I was killed by Internet bullies,” Piskor wrote. “A huge number of them. Some of you out there definitely played a part in my death as you were amusing yourselves with rumors. I wasn’t AI. I was a real human being. You gradually wore down my self-esteem until I was completely destroyed.”
He expressed his wish that his death would make people reconsider before joining an internet frenzy.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 is a free, 24/7 private service that can provide assistance, information and local resources to individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them.
