Harvey Pekar, 70, cult comic writer of American Splendor, was found deceased in his home.

Pekar is best known for his connection with American Splendor, which was made into a film starring Paul Giamatti in 2003. Pekar began publishing the comics in 1976; the story chronicled the writer’s dissatisfaction regarding money, work, and the monotony of daily life. He took the “boring” details of his own life and combined them with the real-life characters that filled up his life. The result was a series of comic books that, according to The New York Times, “could include everyday feelings of anxiety and disappointment as easily as it does the adventures of costumed heroes.”

Pekar was found by his wife at approximately 1:00 a.m. on July 12. It was noted that Pekar had been suffering from depression, asthma, high blood pressure, and prostate cancer. His battle with lymphatic cancer was documented in the writer’s graphic novel Our Cancer Year.

As of yet, no details are available regarding Pekar’s death; an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Farewell to a brilliant mind. Thank you for the legacy (a.k.a. your comics) that you have left behind.