When people are on TV or in film, we tend to think we know them. Usually it is because we have invited them into our lives, and we identify with the characters they play on a show, or are welcomed by their personality when delivering information.
So, when they pass, it isn’t unheard of to have a sense of mourning and loss.
For fans of the Fox musical show "Glee," they are experiencing the loss of someone they have taken the time to know.
Cory Monteith passed away last month, and the producers of the show are making plans on how to deal with the young actor’s death. The show must go on, and as those closest to Monteith know, he would feel that same way.
Tributes come in different ways. Family members, friends and co-workers will pay tribute on "Glee" and they attended his funeral. The show’s fans left messages on social media platforms, making video, audio files and written tributes.
For comic book producers and lovers of the show, they produced a tribute comic on the life and roles of Monteith.
"The only reason (the comic was produced) is because of Ravital Zabarsky from his fan club really asked us to do it. So I told her I would only do this if we promoted his non-profit and if she would write the forward to the book," said Darren G. Davis, the publisher of Bluewater Productions.
Davis and his group of artists and writers put together a number of comic books that tell the lives of celebrities, remarkable people in history and cover other topics. Bluewater has done a pair of books on "Glee."
"We did a Glee graphic novel last year – and did a sequel to it. We are huge fans of the show," Davis said.
"The Cory one was part of the graphic novel we did. We tailored it because the fans asked us to do it. They wanted a tribute and the only way I even conceived of doing this is with his fan club."
Davis said they had the cover image already done for the Monteith tribute comic because a plan was in place to do a new version of the "Glee" comic book with each character from the show.
"I think it is important to do these tributes, because it is a sign of respect that this person made a difference in people's life. People morn in different ways and it is no different than when a loved one dies to reflect over their live in photos," Davis said.
For Davis, this project hit pretty close to home.
"It is very tough as a publisher to do something like this so close to his death. It is different than doing James Dean or (Marilyn) Monroe because of the time that has passed. It is odd to think that Dean was younger than Cory," he said.
You can find and purchase or download the Monteith tribute here on iTunes.
NEW SHOW: Fans of the show "Arrow" on CW have reason to rejoice as the comic book inspired production moves into its second season.
Based on the Green Arrow superhero of the DC comic books, "Arrow" is an action drama that has developed a young audience that is in the network’s wheelhouse. Comic book geeks outside of the 25-34 age bracket also take in the show, making it more attractive to advertisers.
Creators of the show announced that the character of Barry Allen will be added this season, with the possibility of a spinoff for his super hero alter ego, the Flash.
"We plan to introduce the recurring character of Barry Allen who is the Flash. We're planning an origin story and we'll see how it goes. We do want to expand on DC Universe, and we felt this is a very organic way to get there," CW executive Mark Pedowitz told the Hollywood Reporter.
Media is bombarding us everywhere.
Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.
The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.