Ray Bradbury, a geek before it was cool, author of numerous science fiction and fantasy stories, passed away on June 5, 2012. After surviving a stroke several years back that left him partially confined to a wheelchair, he remained active. A recent, unspecified illness may have taken the final toll on the literary giant. He was 91.

 

Bradbury’s list of shorts and novels is quite lengthy and many are as well known to the population at large as they are to Geek culture. His anti-censorship Fahrenheit 451 is standard reading in high school. I Sing The Body Electric, a short story from a collection of the same name, was rewritten as a teleplay for an episode of The Twilight Zone. Something Wicked This Way Comes was made into a moderately successful film starring Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce. From 1985-1992 he wrote, produced and starred in his own television series, The Ray Bradbury Theater.

 

The impact made by his collected works is immeasurable. Though not recognized early on as he was writing in the generally scorned science-fiction genre (which Bradbury continually denied being a part of), in his later life as sci-fi came to prominence as part of the Geek revolution, his stature and vision were acknowledged outside his the field. His contributions to literature reach into other written works, plays, television, the big screen, music and more. His love of books and visual art forms allowed him to move in many circles, meet and inspire other artists and touch more people than writing alone could have allowed. Stephen Spielberg is noted to have referred to Bradbury as his muse. Another director, Federico Fellini is said to have been a huge fan of his work as well. Elton John’s Rocket Man is loosely based around Bradbury’s short story of the same name. The rock trio, Rush, wrote the well named “The Body Electric” based on one of Bradbury’s short stories.

 

Ray was a Comic-Con International regular for several year and is certain to be honored at this year’s event. As Comic-Con morphed into an all things geek event over the last decade, his legendary status made him a welcome addition. His loss will be felt beyond science fiction, as the writings that he left behind extended well beyond simple stories and into the realm of myth. It’s guaranteed Comic-Co will feel the need to remember him with one last, big farewell, as should we all.