Christine Slusarz in a nutshell: behind the scenes with her ever present smile.

Everyone who has ever read a comic book knows any hero is really only as good as the people surrounding them, their loved ones who help them to be the best version of themselves.

And as often as not, these "supporting players" do it in the background. They aren't often acknowledged for their contributions. They aren't in it for the credit -- but rather for the satisfaction of a job well done.

That brings us to Christine Slusarz.

Until a few weeks ago she was the manager of editorial payments at DC. And ten years before that she spent years in manufacturing at Marvel.

That meant at Marvel, after the editors scheduled and finessed the book and writers agonized over the scripts and artists pushed the deadlines right up to the wall and letterers and colorists applied their skills in a frenzy...

... then Christine took over. She was tasked with making sure the books got to the printers in the best shape possible. There were times she'd have to get on a plane and make sure print runs into the millions came off without a hitch.

At DC it meant -- very simply -- she kept people fed and happy.

Over the last few days you may have read some memories from different industry people who had the good fortune to work with and know Christine over the years (okay decades) at either of the two companies. Certainly, anyone who knew her can tell you what a great job she did...

... but the other constant you'll read over and over again is Christine was one of the sweetest, most supportive and generous people they've ever met. So many people will tell you she was their first friend when they started their job -- because Christine reached out to them in the hallway or at lunch or at a party, always there to make the new person feel welcome.

At work it was not uncommon for anyone from publishing to editorial to marketing to manufacturing to production to find their way into her office to take a break from the chaos around them.

More often than not you'd race into Christine's office with your world on fire... and come away completely at peace. That's because when it was her job, she didn't shuffle your problem across the desk to someone else. She solved it. If it was a personal matter, she had the uncommon knack for metaphorically taking your hand and getting you through your crisis by letting you know someone heard you - that she cared about you.

Christine had heart problems for as long as most of us can remember. Maybe because it was always filled to the brim with so much love for her family and friends and the rest of the world around her.

Thank you, Christine.

For always making us look so good -- and for keeping us fed.

For always being there.

For your professionalism, for your sweetness and support, for your kind words and for all the love you left behind.

We miss you already.