ICv2 reports Drew Ford, the founder and publisher of the archival imprint It’s Alive, died on Sunday, October 2. According to the GoFundMe page set up by his widow, Ford died from COVID-19-related pneumonia. He was only 48 years old.
Andrew “Drew” Ford was a graduate of the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. He started his comics career in the early ’90s, writing titles like “Vampirotica,” “Negative Burn” and “Rib.” He was also the publisher and editor of the sci-fi zine “Cosmic Waves.” He worked as the Acquisitions Editor for Dover Publications’ comics line, helping publish reprints of old titles like Sam Glanzman’s World War II comics, and “The BOZZ Chronicles” by David Michelinie and Brett Blevins.
Ford founded It’s Alive at IDW Publishing in 2016, where he oversaw reprints of Glanzman’s “Red Range,” and Trina Robbins’s “Dope.” The imprint became independent in 2019, with Ford relying on Kickstarter to fund new projects, packing and shipping the books by himself. In the meantime, he penned the middle-grade steampunk graphic novel “Steam,” which was published by Dark Horse Comics in 2020. Subsequently, It’s Alive began partnering with Dark Horse earlier this year to publish reprints of Doug Moench’s “Aztec Ace,” and Glanzman and Will Franz’s “The Lonely War of Capt. Willy Schultz.”
Ford also worked as a special projects editor for Marvel Comics from 2013 to 2016, and penned a story for 2011’s edition of DC’s “JSA 80-Page Giant.” Dark Horse have paid tribute to him, stating “We will remember and celebrate Drew’s passion for comics, dedication to It’s Alive Press, and pride in his projects with Dark Horse. Sincere condolences to Drew’s friends and loved ones.” ICv2 noted Ford “dedicated much of his career to publishing comics that otherwise would have been lost.”
Ford is survived by his wife Aki “Kiki” Uesugi, and their cat Lolo. Kiki, who is from Japan, and struggles with clinical depression and PTSD, was financially dependent on her husband, and the GoFundMe will go towards funeral and living expenses for the next few months. At the time of writing, $14,156 has been raised of the $50,000 goal. You can read more about Drew by his wife at the page, but please be aware it may be an emotionally difficult read, between Kiki recounting her childhood abuse, and the pictures of her husband in hospital.
