Harvey Pekar, Author of 'American Splendor' Comics, Dies

Famed American Splendor comic book author Harvey Pekar has died at age 70. Splendor chronicled the mundane details of the everyday lives of Pekar and his network of Cleveland acquaintances, and was adapted into a critically praised 2003 film starring Paul Giamatti. He was found dead early this morning:

Pekar, 70, was found dead shortly before 1 a.m. today by his wife, Joyce Brabner, in their Cleveland Heights home, said Powell Caesar, spokesman for Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Pekar and his wife, Joyce Brabner, wrote "Our Cancer Year," a book-length comic, after Pekar was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in 1990 and underwent a grueling treatment.

Read the full story at Cleveland.com.

And for a glimpse at his trademark curmudgeonly demeanor, check out this clip from one of his regular appearances on Letterman in the '80s: