John Rogers, the longtime Comic-Con International: San Diego President, passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2018. The announcement was made by Comic-Con via their social media, stating that he passed due to complications from glioblastoma.

Rogers began working with Comic-Con in 1978 in roles that included Technical Coordinator and Films Coordinator. He was the longest running president of the organization, elected to the post in 1986 and had been reelected each year since that time.

The San Diego show has developed and grown significantly during his time in the position, transitioning from a comics-centric event to a broader multimedia focus on geek culture across all entertainment mediums.

During Rogers’ time as president, the organization has added the Comics Art Conference, the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, and hosts the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, as well as the WonderCon event in Anaheim, CA. Another significant Comic-Con moment during Rogers’ career is the trademarking of the name “Comic-Con,” which was won through a long-running lawsuit.

“As our longest serving president, first elected in 1986 and reelected every year since John’s tenure saw Comic-Con grow from a select gathering of fans to the largest and most prestigious convention of its kind in the world,” Comic-Con reps said.