Rory Root
Rory D. Root (November 8, 1957 – May 19, 2008) was the owner of Comic Relief, an influential comic book retailer in Berkeley, California.
Comic Relief was one of the first stores to stock graphic novels, presaging their popularity by many years. Root also made a point of supporting self-publishers and minicomics artists. In 1993, Root was awarded the Will Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award in honor of his exemplary work in promoting the genre.
He influenced many in the comics field, including Eric Reynolds of Fantagraphics.
Biography
Root attended the University of California, Berkeley, studying computer science, but dropped out of school just before graduating in order to pursue retailing. At first he managed a gaming store on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley; after it closed he worked at Robert Beerbohm's comic book store, Best of Two Worlds, also on Telegraph Avenue.
Root and then-partner Michael Patchen opened Comic Relief on April 15, 1987, on University Avenue in Berkeley.
Death and demise of Comic Relief