Various sources around the net are reporting that Rory Root, long-time owner of Comic Relief, "The Comic Bookstore", in Berkeley, CA, has died today following complications of a hernia operation.  Rory was a dear friend of Meltdown, we are all saddened by this news, and we send our condolences to his family, friends, co-workers and everyone whom he touched.

On a personal note, I moved to Berkeley in the Fall of 2005, and Comic Relief became my local comics shop.  Mr. Root was always in the store on Wednesdays, always with a smile on his face, always willing to answer even the most obscure questions.  On many evenings he would sit outside the store on his stool, a group of comics fans huddled around, swapping stories through the night.  Rory Root will be greatly missed.

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