Although I don't know Lash personally, I know he's had a profound impact on IB. Lash has influenced IB to become more comfortable about himself and to handle relationships better. Because of the wonderful relationship IB and I have, in a way, he has also touched mine.
What a fine human was Michael Lash. Even--perhaps especially--over the past several months as he dealt with illness he showed us his honesty, courage, wondrous humor and all around joie de vivre.
I will miss him. We will miss him. But Michael leaves a trail of light for us.
"Everything about this is going to feel different." (Saturn Girl, Legion of Super-Heroes #1)
Lash was on my Christmas Card list, and this past December I sent him a copy of the Big Bang Comics issue with the Pantheon of Heroes. I'm glad he didn't already have it.
I'd frequently share some of my heavyset Legion commissions with him and Rhino on facebook.
Michael and I bonded over a love of Rozakis era Teen Titans, drag queens, and Lucinda Williams. In the last message I received from him he expressed his excitement over hearing a track from Lucinda's new album. After I bought the CD I responded with my thoughts on it, but didn't hear anything more from him. I feared then that his brave battle was reaching its end. Marvelous wit matched only by his kind and gentle soul. He will be missed.
Last edited by Jerry; 03/03/1601:14 PM.
Beauty's where you find it. Not just where you bump and grind it.
. . . Back on the old DC boards, we had a thread in which one poster would start a Legion story and the next poster would continue it, and so on, until DC shut it down because we weren't supposed to write original stories on their board. During the thread, things would get pretty serious for our heroes until Lash introduced his own character, the unforgettable Buster Gonads!
. . . Another of Lash's "aliases" was Boaz Yakin, which was another excuse for him to toe the line of good taste (and occasionally leap over it) to keep things unpredictable and fun.
. . . Lash and several other early LMBers were among the first openly gay people I ever knew. (I'm from the conservative and don't-talk-about-it Midwest, what can I say?) So when I wrote a Legion song parody that was built off the idea of the reboot Invisible Kid and Condo Arlik being gay, I was concerned about it being offensive. Before I posted it, I PMed Lash and two others privately to see if they found it offensive. Lash assured me that it was not offensive and that he found it quite funny.
. . . I've appreciated his comments on my musical chart threads. Growing up in the South, he was informed by country music to the degree that I was informed by pop and rock. He brought a very different and insightful perspective to our musical commentary.
. . . It was Lash (I believe) who brought Thomas Fatsi to the board! Lash found his name in the letter's page of a Legion comic, tracked him down, and invited him to join LW. Only Lash could get away with such "friendly stalker" behavior!
. . . Likewise, Lash was the patron saint of the most obscure characters in Legion history. It was almost as if he embodied the inclusive spirit of the Legion and wanted to make sure no character got left behind.
You will be missed, Michael. Thanks for spreading the joy.
Since Jerry reminded me, I contribute this from my weekend raid of a record store Dollar Bin. More awesome than awful, I think. But I guess LASH would understand if he were still here.
I'm glad to see you, Mistah' J. And the other old-timers, too. Even if the occasion isn't so great. You should come over more often. [smooch]
Hey, Kids! My "Cranky and Kitschy" collage art is now viewable on DeviantArt! Drop by and tell me that I sent you. *updated often!*
HWW, it was Lash who started a Thomas Fatsi thread in the Legion forum and hilarity ensued. And then it was Rhino who somehow by happenstance tracked him down and eased him into LW, with the knowledge that he was already famous. Lash was hilariously thrown for quite a loop since it was like 6 years later and Thomas Fatsi was a long running LW joke!
HWW, it was Lash who started a Thomas Fatsi thread in the Legion forum and hilarity ensued. And then it was Rhino who somehow by happenstance tracked him down and eased him into LW, with the knowledge that he was already famous. Lash was hilariously thrown for quite a loop since it was like 6 years later and Thomas Fatsi was a long running LW joke!
Thanks for the correction, Cobie. I knew Lash was involved, but I had forgotten the details.
It's a hilarious thread, and I'll try to bump it later.
My favorite part is around the same time it started, Eryk was doing a whole Grendel gag in the MMB about how he was the most mysterious and interesting poster since he never posted but was always seen logged in and lurking. And then finally, he posted! And Lash kept teasing EDE about how he scared Grendel off and probably scarred him for life. And EDE, of course, countered that at least he didn't start stalking someone from a letter's column a few decades ago! So yeah, not much of a comeback for that one.
What happened to Lash? Had he been sick? I actually got to meet him and spent the night at his apt. in Memphis a couple of years ago on the way down to New Orleans at Xmas time. He was far too young to die.
What happened to Lash? Had he been sick? I actually got to meet him and spent the night at his apt. in Memphis a couple of years ago on the way down to New Orleans at Xmas time. He was far too young to die.
Hi Jim,
Last year Lash got diagnosed with cancer (colon and liver I believe) He had surgery and chemo, but ...
The funeral is today (at 2). Legion World did send flowers and Exnihil will be attending.
If Lash had lived to be 100, it would have been too soon.
I also spoke with Darden and Jennifer (Faraway Lad and Gigglebot Girl) and they said they will raise a glass in Lash's honor tonight. (I think they are on vacation and with limited internet access).
Just devastating... Lash was the embodiment of why I still cherish the LMB and Legion World after all these years... Like many here, we never met in 'real life,' but my heart is aching from the loss of a true friend... rest in peace, LashLad... thank you for creating and sustaining this community of which I feel so blessed to be a part...
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...
Forgive me if this post is a bit scattershot, but today has been a veritable emotional rollercoaster as I made the trip down to Memphis today to attend Lash’s service.
As I’m certain almost everyone on the board feels, Lash was the absolute embodiment of what makes this community great. An endless fount of positivity and creativity, in the nine years since I first came to know him, he has been a singularly unique individual in my experience in that I've never… not once… heard an ill word spoken about him. After having met his family and close friends today, I can absolutely say that that admiration extended well beyond the bounds of this forum.
Talking with his mom, his sister, his aunt, his roommate… the one unifying trait that came through all these conversations was how truly beloved Lash was… borne out of how well it was that he loved. The room where his service was held was packed to the gills with all the lives he had touched and made happier.
His eulogy was given by his aunt who - among a great many other things - spoke about some of the things that are especially poignant given the persona he projected in our community… his love of comics, his passion for writing and drawing, his fascination with television. I was literally smiling through my tears as I thought of Great Frog, the 70’s All-Star, Fandango, Starsearchers, M.E.L.T.S… and a hundred other Lash inspired flights of fancy that both provided us entertainment and inspired us in our own creative efforts. One thing I think would have made him very happy: his aunt spoke of how much he endlessly loved his hair… today: it looked great.
I spoke a while with his roommate Greg who, over Lash’s illness, had provided immense support, and he told me just how much the love and support of the LW community has meant to Lash. Even over these last days, Greg said he would read Lash our comments and messages on FB and how every last one of them buoyed him. Speaking of which… I’m happy to report… right next to the guest book today was a beautiful bouquet sent on behalf of Legion World by a great number of contributors and arranged by Quislet Esq. It looked great, Quis!
Like I say… I know I’m all over the place right now… but I did want to reiterate as soon as possible how much this community, that he first laid the seeds for 16 years ago, meant to him and how much the formation of that in turn affected all of us. There will never be another Lash, but as long as there is a Legion World, there will always be the one.
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But I know his next adventure will be a good one... (How could it not be with Lash along?)
