The great Harvey Pekar has died at the age of 70. Pekar, jazz fan, cancer survivor and committed misanthrope, was long known to comic readers for his work on the extraordinary American Splendor, and gained wider recognition when the series was made into a fine film.

Speaking to Reel News at the time of the movie’s release, Pekar demonstrated his prodigious talent for grumpiness. How was Hope Davis in the role of his wife? “Well, she was a lot nicer in the film than she is in real life,” he said – without smiling.