Tragically, Warren passed away on Saturday, Dec. 28, after a horrible accident at the Westfield Topanga mall in California. He was riding an e-scooter around 11:30 a.m. when an SUV pulling out of the mall turned right. Warren fell and slid under the vehicle before it drove over him. The driver, a teenager, stayed at the scene and cooperated with police. Warren was wearing a helmet, but he died there on the spot. He was only 54.

Warren Jaycox was one of the biggest comicbook fans I ever met, and had as big a heart as any. He was one of the bright points of light in the Los Angeles comic book scene, and the owner and founder of Galaxy of Comics in the San Fernando Valley in Van Nuys, California.

He opened Galaxy of Comics back in 2009, and in 2021 he expanded it to a 2,500-square-foot space, leasing the space next door. The shop as it is now is his vision, colorful, vibrant and welcoming to all. He was more than just a shop owner, he was a magnet that drew comics fans out to be part of the community, and was well known for his generosity and caring. He always had time to talk to me when I went to visit the store, and I always knew he genuinely cared about how his customers’ lives were going, including mine.

The staff of Galaxy of Comics has issued a statement:

“Dear friends and loyal customers, We are heartbroken to announce the unexpected death of Galaxy’s fearless leader (and Guardian of our Galaxy), Warren Jaycox, on December 28, 2024. We ask for your patience and care as his family and friends move through the next stages of planning. There is currently no information to share regarding a memorial, but we will update you all as it unfolds. As of now, the shop will remain open normal hours. If this changes as we figure out how to support the staff and the GoC community, we will update you here. We appreciate your flexibility. Warren loved this store, and each and every one of you who helped make his dream a reality for the last 15+ years. We know he impacted so many people with his kindness, his passion, and his generosity. Through all the ups and downs of owning an independent comic shop, we all stayed loyal to him because he was loyal to us. In that spirit, be good to each other. Give hugs to yourself, the shop cats, and your loved ones. Keep buying banned books and supporting independent creators and fighting the system like you know Warren would. We love you. See you soon. The entire Galaxy of Comics team.”

I think what bugs me the most is the shock of it. I never got to say goodbye, there was no protracted illness. He was just, suddenly, gone. My heart goes out to his friends and family, and I will miss him greatly.