Columbus lost a piece of its comic book community this week.
Gib Bickel, co-founder of Laughing Ogre Comics, passed away after a 20-month battle with cancer. He spent his final days at home, surrounded by family.
For decades, Bickel was a constant presence behind the counter and within the community, helping shape Laughing Ogre into one of the most respected comic shops not just in Columbus, but in the country. The store earned the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award in 2021, a recognition that reflects the kind of space he helped build.
But for many, it wasn’t just about the comics.
Bickel was known as someone who showed up for people.
He supported local creators, encouraged new voices, and built relationships that lasted decades. Friends and longtime customers have been sharing memories of conversations that went far beyond what was on the shelves, touching on everything from storytelling to bigger questions about the world.
Writer Dara Naraghi, who knew Bickel for more than 40 years, described him in a heartfelt post as “a smart, caring, socially conscious man with a strong moral compass,” someone who championed both good comics and the people behind them.
Even as he faced serious illness, Bickel approached it with honesty and perspective.
In a post earlier this year, he reflected on his life with gratitude, writing that while he may not have had as many years as he wanted, he had “maxed out” his joy, surrounded by family, friends, and the store he helped build.
The team at Laughing Ogre shared that he had taken care of many of them for more than a decade, and that he will be deeply missed.
The shop will remain open, with adjusted hours this week as staff and the community take time to remember him. Details about memorial services are expected to be shared soon. In honoring his memory, Bickel’s family is encouraging people to talk with their doctors about colon cancer screenings.
For a place built on stories, it’s clear that the ones he helped create, both on and off the page, will stick around for a long time. If you’d like to learn more about Laughing Ogre or the legacy Bickel built, head over to laughingogreohio.com.
