Elena SalcedoTop Cow’s vice president of operations died Thursday night. Top Cow announced the news on their social media.
I first met Elena many years ago at a party after SDCC in Los Angeles. I think she had just moved to Los Angeles from New York and started getting into comics. Over the years we would say hello at conferences, and then, somehow—and this was not difficult for Elena—we became friends. But not just liar friends. Real friends. Friends, when you need a break from the loud show and want to talk to someone about real things and share real feelings, Elena is there. I have spent many wonderful times with Elena and her partner Dan over the years. I can’t believe I won’t have more.
Elena is brutally honest, unforgettably funny, and unwaveringly loyal and kind. As all her memories show, she was a one-of-a-kind person, a true human being, a most diligent person, and a most caring person. She is the heart and soul of Top Cow, running behind the scenes and editing many of their books, including the latest, Witchblade. But while she will be missed behind the scenes, she will be missed most of all as the friend we all loved. Honestly, having friends like Elena is what makes this industry worth staying in and worth fighting for.
She’s too young to lose. As many of the recollections below suggest: Make sure you reach out to the people you care about. That’s why we are all here, for this short and precious life.
Here are some of Elena’s memories (if you click through you’ll see many wonderful photos showing her warmth and joy.). My sincerest condolences go out to Dan, her family, her Top Cow family, and everyone who loved her.
Mark Silvestri: Elena Salcedo did work at Top Cow, but to me she was more than just the tireless, dedicated and loyal employee any business owner could wish for , she is my friend. But she was so much more than that in every sense of the word, because to me, she was family. My family was taken away too early Thursday night.
There are few people in your life who are as loyal to me as Elena, who has been my supporter for 15 years. You see, if you piss off someone close to Elena, you piss off her. You don’t want to mess with Elena because she doesn’t have time to be stupid. If you don’t respect the people around her, you are the biggest fool ever. But her heart was huge, and she shared it freely with those who were lucky enough to know her. My wife, Bridget, and I are forever grateful that the universe knew her.
Elena had several lovers in her life. Her partner Dan Petersen (pictured with her above), wrestling, Lego and Cinderella (don’t ask). Oh, and comics. Especially @topcow comics. Specifically, The Dark. More specifically…Jackie Estacado. In fact, as we prepared to relaunch her favorite character, any artist we considered for the book had to pass the “Elena Jackie Test.” If an artist fails to pass the required “hotness threshold” while drawing him, please be removed from their list. I like that about her.
It breaks your heart when you lose someone special, but sometimes, someone is so special that when they pass away, they leave you with a strong sense of love. This love will be the glue that will help mend a broken heart. Rest in peace dear Elena, it was an honor, a privilege and a joy to be a part of your life. @petersen_daniel @topcow
Matt Hawkins: In 2010, during the chaos of my first divorce, I distinctly remember Elena coming to me at the height of my self-loathing and asking if I was okay. She may not remember it, but it meant everything to me at the time.
Years later, at a meeting, I remember her saying that she had a lot of ideas and that I should listen to her. I had never had anyone approach me like this, and that was before the whole #visiblewoman movement.
She and I would argue sometimes, and some of our arguments were memorable, but I did listen…and she was usually right. She changed company policies and editorial direction, rose from intern to vice president, and became one of the most influential women ever in comics.
I hear you, Elena. I’ve always been like this. You are the most striking woman I know. You are one of my few continuations over the past twenty years. You encouraged me to write, supported me as a guest at many conferences, and even allowed me to wrestle for fun.
Your impact will always be felt.
John Lyman: Rest in peace Elena.
I woke up yesterday to the terrible news that a friend had passed away and the comics community had lost a truly good friend. My Facebook feed is filled with people whose lives have been impacted by Elena Salcedo. I don’t even know how I met her, after going to comic conventions for over 30 years you just accumulate friends and Elena is always the highlight of any convention, whether it’s visiting her at the Top Cow booth or After work bar party. Elena is funny, kind, fierce, snarky, sweet, and always very supportive. Just the kind of person you always enjoy being around or spending time with, and the comedy scenes would be greatly diminished by her absence.
This was very sad news and by looking at all the recommendations I saw on Facebook I realized how many people felt the same way about Elena. A great person and I will miss her terribly.
Filip Sablik: “A light that burns twice as bright burns in half the time, and you’re already burning very, very brightly.”
We lost Elena Salcedo on Thursday night. It was unfair to the universe that Elena was taken from us so suddenly and unexpectedly. Danielle and I lost a dear friend. The comics world has lost a fierce, talented behind-the-scenes executive. Matt, Marc, Bridget, Phil and the rest of Top Cow (past and present) have lost a core member of their family. Dan lost his partner and his heart.
One of the greatest gifts for anyone in a leadership position is the privilege of discovering talent. I met Elena when I first started working for Top Cow when she and a friend were volunteering at the Top Cow booth at New York Comic Con. She circles the other volunteers with her dedication and efficiency. She was so compelling that we soon started taking her to other shows to help us manage the booth. I told her that if she came to Los Angeles, I would find a way to hire her. Since Elena rarely does things half-heartedly, she moved to Los Angeles and soon after I hired her to run the Top Cow online store. At the end of the day, it’s hard to describe what Elena did for Top Cow and her role there, because over time, the honest answer is – everything. From pro bono volunteer to corporate vice president, Elena is the living embodiment of what can be achieved through passion, hard work, and ingenuity.
Elena is great as a teammate, but if you’re lucky enough to call her a friend, it pales in comparison to her loyalty and generosity. She is honest and real and gives the absolute best hugs. She is always there when you need her. Her laugh is magical. She was petite but had more energy, fight and love than almost anyone I had ever met. She is truly one of a kind.
I am so grateful to Dan for reaching out to me and giving me the gift of sharing those last precious moments with Elena. Elena and I both think we have more time together. We make plans to make plans and then life gets in the way. Please don’t waste time with the ones you love. Tell them loudly and unapologetically that you love them. Make time and space for them today instead of tomorrow. Because none of our time on earth is guaranteed.
Stephen Christie: Can’t believe the news that Elena Salcedo has left us. I was shocked. Elena was one of my first friends in the Los Angeles comics community. We met in 2009. No one cares about the Los Angeles geek community like Elena does. She is a firecracker with the biggest heart in the world. As we get older, we see each other less and less, but every year like clockwork I look for each other at Comic-Con, give each other the biggest hugs and catch up on each other. I missed her so much at Comic-Con this year, not knowing that her health was declining.
Elena has worked in all aspects of comics, from supervisor to editor to publisher to convention planner. She did this with energy, attitude, joy, and love for everyone around her. She has been helping run Top Cow for the past ten years. I loved seeing her name in the book and knowing how much hard work she put into the book, the company, and her employees.
My heart goes out to her partner Dan, the entire Top Cow Productions, Inc. family, and everyone who knew and loved her. She is a beautiful person. Reach out to people you haven’t seen or talked to in a while because you never know what might happen. Love you, Elena.
Emily Lazar: Elena Salcedo is an incredible person. When I first joined the Top Cow Productions, Inc. fam, she was one of the first people to welcome me with open arms. We worked closely together on the first SM book, and the kickstarter she tirelessly supported for us and the team…she is a beautiful soul who will undoubtedly still resonate around us all…that energy will never stop will be destroyed, it will only change form. We love you Elena.
Jeremy Haun: We lost a dear friend this week.
To be honest…I’m not good at this.
I’ve started and stopped this more times than I can count over the past few days.
But I need to say something. Because Elena is awesome, and the comic wouldn’t shine as brightly without her.
I met Elena Salcedo when I first started working for Top Cow. She was volunteering at the time. I’m new to the company and figuring things out. She gave me this warm smile that immediately made me feel at home. From then on, we were friends.
Elena did this – she fought hard for you when you were one of her people. When I felt overwhelmed during a big signing for Berserker, she was there to make everything go smoother. It’s the little things – a joke, a smile.
Elena is also great with my kids. She and her partner Dan would come over and we would all talk about the LEGO sets we were building—which sets we wanted to buy—and how we were running out of space for all of them.
Elena went from being a volunteer at Top Cow to becoming the company’s Vice President. She is the embodiment of working hard for something she loves. Here’s the thing – she’s the heart of the company.
I will miss seeing Elena at conventions. I would have missed the opportunity to catch up. I will miss her amazing laugh and those truly warm, genuine hugs.
I am so grateful that, thanks to my good friend Filip, I had the opportunity to Facetime with Elena before she left.
I have to tell her I love her. Even so, I couldn’t tell her what she meant to me.
I didn’t say goodbye. I can’t.
Before I hung up the phone, completely out of my mind, I said, “I’ll talk to you later.”
I really don’t know what this means.
But I couldn’t say goodbye.
We lost Elena Salcedo on Thursday night. She was quickly taken away.
She got away from it all. But we are much poorer for it.
Hold on tight to the ones you love, my friend. Tell them how much they mean to you.
I think I’m going to do that now.
Henry Barajas: The comics industry has lost one of its greatest supporters and workers. I worked with Elena for six years. She is the strongest, kindest, fiercest, most loyal person. I will miss my friends as long as I am alive. The only way to honor her is to quote a song from her favorite movie, Furious: Furious 7.
The days are long without you, my friend
I’ll tell you all this when I see you again
We’ve come a long way from where we started
Oh I’ll tell you everything when I see you again
when i see you again
