Saturday, January 25, 2014

Today we lost a good man.

My Thoughts on the passing of Justin "JewWario" Carmical.

Rest in Peace JewWario by lordsjaak
I wouldn't claim to know Justin.  I wouldn't call us friends.  Hell, we hadn't even ever met. Aside from less than a half-dozen twitter exchanges, he likely didn't know I existed.
Justin was the creator of "You can Play This", a Webseries based around Japanese import titles and series, and was part of the TGWTG/Blistered Thumb/Channel Awesome family.  He was like our Mr. Rogers, always nice and looking on the bright side of things, always having a kind word and moment for a fan, anyone really.
I First saw him in Kickassia, and I didn't think much of him.  But When I was first introduced to the producers, I took the time to check out all their works.  And While Not the best Internet personality, I caught nearly every episode of his I could.  Because he was that nice A Guy I wanted to support his works with my views.
The first episode of His I watched was  "JewWario/Psychotaku crossover--Super Sentai Part 1", which premiered April 21, 2010 (I caught it several months later)
My favorite episode of his was on "Kamen Rider Climax Heroes OOO", which premiered on August 25, 2011
My favorite Crossover he was in was "Interstella 5555", which premiered July 1, 2011.
He was the exception to the Caustic Critic.

Justin committed suicide on Thursday, January 23, 2014.  He was 42 years old.

It's been a great shock and surprise today, when the act was made public, and I've overheard, seen the outcries from his friends, family, peers and fans, as no-one knew what he was dealing with.  We thought it was an enormously cruel joke.  There was no warning.  And they're angry, we're all angry we couldn't help him when he needed us.  To stop him by the sheer amount of support we could bring to bear.
While we didn't communicate, Justin was a momentous inspiration for starting the Tokusatsu side of my work.  And every time I finished a Video, I wondered If it could compare in Quality, to the energy and enthusiasm he put in his every work.  And when I didn't, I worked harder, hoping the next one would.
I haven't reached that point yet.
Like myself, he was a Tokusatsu fan, and the few times the shows got brought up in his episodes I felt were some of the highlights.
I was greatly looking forward to the (defunct) Famikamen Rider series he tried to make work.
And, the first true Tokusatsu in Review episode I did, I asked IN it that people go and check out his stuff. Partly in thanks for inspiring me to start my own show, but mostly because I believed he deserved any views I sent his way.
I had always hoped, when I was sufficiently advanced in my work, to thank him in some way; to meet him in person and Express my gratitude in some manner, possibly pick his brain on some Toku-related matter.
But that's not going to happen now.
The internet reviewer Community has lost something special, someone unique.  And we are lesser for that.
Justin, Dude, We are going to so miss you.
"I want you all to look at me. Because what I’m about to say is important. I’ve been thinking about this a lot; a lot lately. And I want you all to know this. This goes out to everybody. You’re not stupid. Okay? You’re not stupid. Don’t ever tell yourself that you are. You’re important. What you have in your head may not mean a lot to a lot of people, but its what makes you special. You are important. You mean something. And you’re going to go out there, and you’re gonna to do some wonderful things. But, first and foremost, you’re not stupid. You’re not an idiot. Don’t ever tell yourself that you are. And, if nobody else ever tells you this, I will tell you this; I care about you." 
 - Justin "JewWario" Carmical   "You Can Stream This" 3/8/13

I wish you had heeded your own words.
You were Loved, man.

Also, If you've got a few spare dollars there's a fundraiser going for Justin's widow, Jenny.  She could really use the help right now.

1 comment:

  1. o i had no idea this happined i hope Jenny can get all the help she needs.

    ReplyDelete