RIP Edd Gould, 1988-2012 |

RIP Edd Gould, 1988-2012

Hi guys. I’m not sure how to start one of these, but let’s give it a go.

I would like to share a few thoughts of mine regarding the awful passing of Edd Gould, a brilliant mind and endlessly-vigilant person in the face of a horrible illness. Edd, who I consider a friend and wonderful ally in the world of internet entertainment, passed away on Sunday the 25th of March after a long battle with leukemia. I’d been aware that his disease had made a return and that he’d been struggling with it for the past few months, yet I also felt he was winning the fight. We all did. I didn’t think for one second that he’d ever be taken from us. It’s just all so sudden. It upsets me greatly.

Edd and I talked a good few times over the years- I first got in touch with him around 2004 through our old website, Sticksuicide.com. He was an enthusiastic young animator who would often ask me for tips and tricks in Flash animation, and I’d be happy to help out. He was a huge fan of the craft, and simply wanted nothing more than to entertain the world with his ideas, drawings and Flash movies. He possessed an endless dedication to his work. It was certainly a passion to him, not just a job.

As the years went by we’d fall in and out of contact (such is life), but I’d always check in to see how he was doing. Sure enough, his work slowly began seeing millions and millions of views as he grinded away at perfecting his art, and his work blossomed into a hugely popular franchise. It was great to see.

He once told me that it was Sticksuicide.com that inspired him to start creating Flash cartoons. Looking back, I can’t stress how unbelievable and flattering I find that. Edd’s work was truly special -professional, zany, unique, and incredibly homely. The entire world he created through his cartoons (based chiefly around his close friends- attesting to the sort of bonds he held with people) held a humbleness and warmth that we could all hugely appreciate. It was an extension of his gentle character. His cartoons never derailed into anything insanely dark, and yet he was still able to have us all captivated and thrilled through the sheer passion and childlike-enthusiasm he would pour into every episode.

Edd’s huge catalog of work inspired me a lot during his time on this earth, and now even in his passing, he continues to inspire in new ways. Edd worked endlessly and fearlessly on his art, even knowing in the back of his mind that he may not be here much longer. He could’ve taken a self-destructive route, he could’ve introverted and taken time to himself, but no- Edd worked right up until his sad departure on the very cartoons that we all know and love him for. He gave his entire life to entertaining us.

We thank you, Edd. You have inspired me in that I now know fully that any one of us could go at any time soon. Any of us could be taken from this earth at any time, and that there’s suddenly little point in worrying over trivial matters or waiting for your dreams to come along- we’ve got to make them happen now. We’ve got to go get them. I promise you Edd, I will never purely take another day for granted and I will make sure I use the most of my time on this earth to do what I love- creating cartoons, and entertaining other people. I promise you, that I will do my utmost to replicate and carry on the attitude and love of life that you exhibited so effortlessly. I will try my best to endlessly create. I will try my best to bring people happiness like you did.

No more wasting time on this planet. I will dedicate myself to our art.

You’ve changed me Edd. Your character was inspiring and humbling. You will live on through the people you’ve inspired and your influence on their work, not to mention your huge influence on their lives in general.

You made a lot of people very happy, Edd. Hopefully we can do you proud. Your legacy will carry on for a very long time.

We’ll miss you, mate.

I’d like to end this with one of my favourite comics by Edd. This one had me in stitches. Just the expressions alone. I’m glad he knew that I loved his stuff.

Again, thanks for everything Edd.