Hunter Talon Remembered
by Alphaville Herald on 19/04/08 at 2:12 am
Our world loses a real superhero
by Pixeleen Mistral, National Affairs desk
I never knew Hunter Talon – a Justice League Unlimited (JLU) member who died last Thursday – but Tizzers Foxchase did, and took time from writing a farewell message for the JLU this evening to tell me about Hunter, and suggest that I talk to Fenix Harbinger. What I learned was that while SL has more than it’s share of faux drama, the impact of real life tragedy can put those petty concerns in perspective. Fenix Harbinger has been in contact with Hunter Talon’s sister who said,
“Hunter defied the odds and lived nearly 25 years with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a rare medical condition, when doctors predicted he wouldn’t live past age 2. He lived each day with enthusiasm and accomplished so much in life, always with the desire to help others. In death he chose to donate his body for medical research with the hope that something might be learned about his disease. We would like to continue Hunter’s wish of helping others and have created a memorial fund for those that would like to contribute in Hunter’s name.”
Fenix Harbinger paused, then told me “there is more from her”
“Hunter had not been feeling well and decided he needed to go to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. Although tests had been run all afternoon, no results had been received by Thursday evening. Even before leaving for the hospital, he’d told my parents that he knew he wasn’t going to be coming home. After speaking with my parents regarding his final wishes, he was given a sedative to help him rest. His heart stopped at 7:30 on Thursday morning.”
I asked about Hunter’s role in SL and Fenix told me,
“Hunter was an active member of the JLU, and never lost sight of the mission: ‘Justice’. He viewed all equally, and allowed each person to prove themselves, regardless of what others may have thought. He is the founder and creative genius behind ‘The Aegis’, a comics museum. He was also an author in his own right, having won national awards for his writing”
“His fondest dream was to become a published comics author, and was well on his way to making that dream a reality when he was struck down by his illness. Hunter touched all he ever came on contact with, and all will tell you they are better for having known him”.
According to Fenix Harbinger, the in-world memorial service for Hunter Talon will be private, “but, all are encouraged to plant a flower at The Big Easy sim in his name”.
When I asked Tizzers Foxchase why she was writing an obituary for a member of the JLU, and she said, “Hunter was one of the cooler members – he never gave me crap like the rest of them. I suspect the JLU will be doing a full-blown Captain America service, (although he was The Flash ‘Hunter’ in the JLU). Captain America just happens to be one of the few superheroes that have died in the comics”.
And so “your world, your imagination” loses a superhero.
Hunter Talons’ RL typist in happier days:
Tizzers Foxchase
Apr 19th, 2008
Please don’t let this turn into a dramafest. I feel wrong for having my name in the article at all. This is about Hunter today.
Aya Pelous
Apr 19th, 2008
I am ashamed I never met him, watching that You Tube video made me shed a tear of how this man liked comic books. I am a RL artist and have the same dreams of him somewhat
Quest Jarrico
Apr 19th, 2008
Wow he died? I guess I shouldn’t be TOO surprised, but I used to talk to that guy every so often. He wanted me to do art for one of his comics.
Mari Asturias
Apr 19th, 2008
Hunter was a long-time wonderful neighbor and honorary student of the San Diego State University build in Second Life. He was also a marvelous person to talk with.
I am honored to have called him my friend. I miss you, Hunter.
Carigorp Matzerath
Apr 19th, 2008
Hunter was a great friend and one heck of a business partner. It’s hard to see him go.
BTW, he actually wasn’t The Flash in the JLU. He portrayed a character of his own creation.
Brendan Cale
Apr 19th, 2008
What a shame. Well now he’s in a better place anyways, I guess.
FlipperPA Peregrine
Apr 19th, 2008
I never got to meet Hunter, but stories like his make me realize why Second Life can be so important, even with all of the problems. My best thoughts go out to his family and friends – of which it sounds like there were many!
Regards,
-Flip
Razrcut Brooks
Apr 19th, 2008
Stories like these are sobering and definitely keeps things in perspective. When we have our petty arguments in the future in this and other forums – let us be thankful that we at least have been given another day to do so.
Just Me
Apr 19th, 2008
I estimated once that about 30 percent of the people in SL have medical or other issues of some kind. After being around a bit longer, I’d like to revise that “educated” guess upwards to 50 percent.
It seems that about half of the time, once I get to know someone in SL, I find out they are bedridden or have cancer or are a stay at home caregiver for someone terminally ill or are in a wheelchair or have MS or have another reason for not being able to get out and socialize in RL very much.
More and more, I think of SL as an actual “second” life for me and those people.
Cocoanut Koala
Apr 20th, 2008
Well said, Razrcut!
coco
SPACETARD
Apr 20th, 2008
Rest in peace Talon.
RedZergling
Apr 20th, 2008
RIP, my adversary.
Marguerite Benmergui
Apr 21st, 2008
I am in shock. Thanks to Mari Asturias for getting the news to me. Hunter and I spent hours together. He was an amazing individual. He was more than just my neighbor; he was a friend who was always so accepting, kind, and loved to chat. I can’t imagine SL without him. His life may have been short and limited to us, but that imagination of his sent him places we can only hope to dream about. Rest in beautiful peace, my friend. Now you can really fly! Love, Marg
Kalel Venkman (the real one)
Apr 21st, 2008
I never met one of my best friends.
We never spoke, we never met face to face. Yet still, he was my friend.
He couldn’t dance, couldn’t walk, or even lift a glass. But in Second Life, he could do all these things, and more. Even fly, when the mood struck
him. In Second Life, he was Hunter Talon, superhero and member of the Justice League Unlimited.
The virtual reality that gave him his wings gives people the opportunity to live out their fantasies, to become something they’re not. But for Joey,
it wasn’t a chance to live a fantasy. It was a chance to live. Most of us use Second Life as a way to be someone else, to be something more than they
are in real life. For Joey, it was a chance to become himself. The face that he wore most often was his own.
He didn’t try to be a friend to everyone. He just was. Each morning for him was a new miracle, and he didn’t waste his days. Each day he strove to be
the very best Joseph Button he could be.
What we all aspire and work to become, he was. He wasn’t trying to be an inspiration to those around him, and though he didn’t see it himself, he was.
In the Justice League Unlimited, we dress ourselves in virtual costumes, and do our best to find the hero’s path. Joey didn’t have to.
He was already there.
Sleep well, my friend. You’ve earned it.
- Kalel Venkman
Penance Sautereau
Apr 22nd, 2008
I’d never met him or even heard of him before today, but I envy him the blindingly obvious strength and will he clearly had to live, and function, and overcome. If I had his will the negativity of the net probably wouldn’t get under my skin. If I had his strength I’d find a way out of my house. Reading these posts and seeing all his friends praise his life, and not one troll piping up with something crude shows he was one of those rare people that transcends these things. I imagine he inspired a lot of people to be more positive and less negative. I would really like to have known him. I’ve not the tiniest shred of doubt he’ll be missed horribly and there are probably hundreds of SL’ers crying right now.
So despite never meeting or knowing him, I’ll miss him. This planet needs more souls like his. I hope the example his life set reaches people still even with him gone to the next life, and hopefully one with less constraints.
Nidol Slazar
Apr 22nd, 2008
“Reading these posts and seeing all his friends praise his life, and not one troll piping up with something crude shows he was one of those rare people that transcends these things.”
I assume you didn’t go to the e-funeral. lol
Alexandria Rosewood
Apr 22nd, 2008
Superhero: a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also: an exceptionally skillful or successful person.
Hunter, or Joseph, whichever name you want to call him by, fit this definition to me. He truly was my superhero; he lived every day to its fullest, and he had extraordinary strength because he never let his disease get him down; it never stopped him from achieving what he wanted.
When I first met Hunter, we got into a philosophical debate in a way. At that time, I told him the truth is “We only live to die, but it is what we do in the middle that counts, immortality lies in the memories of others.” What he did with his middle was so special, and with how many hearts and lives he has touched he will be immortal.
Hunter turned into my best friend on SL very fast, but not only my friend on SL but my friend in RL. We talked every day, sometimes several times a day, on voice. It is with a very heavy heart that I say good-bye. Even though he has left us, I do find comfort in the good memories I have of him. Right now they bring a tug to my heart but a smile to my mouth all at the same time. Hunter you were the hawtness and you did bring sexyback. I will miss you ever day and love you always.
Alexandria Rosewood
If anyone would like to give to the Joseph Button Memoral Fund, they can do so in SL. Donations can be made directly to Andria Ember, all money earn is going to the fund.
Nikola Shirakawa
Apr 22nd, 2008
Death is nothing to mourn. I for one would rejoice in the fact that he’s finally gotten what he deserves. Even as we type words of memory here, that soul has come back in a better life, his karmic energies enhanced by his good life here. For the Abrahamic readers out there, he is in heaven, the paradise he earned in this world. For you atheist, well at least he’s not suffering anymore. No matter what you believe, he is in a better place, and that is something that I just cannot be sad about.
I am personally donating the remainder of my credit card balance this month to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation in his name, as I believe that is what he would want.
TheBarrelMan2
Apr 23rd, 2008
May he rest in peace, despite his status as an enemy (at least in Second Life),
Ownage Emmons
Apr 26th, 2008
Kind of reminds me to Jason Becker, to some degree.
Rest in peace.
Hensonian
May 16th, 2008
Hunter was an extraordinary man, as shown here by those who knew him. My computer broke down right aroudn the time that he was goinginto the hospital, so I didnt learn of his passing untl last night.
Hunter was what I call a Great Man. he had an indomitable spirit and compassion for all, he was strong and kind and incredibly vivacious and talented. He insprired me often and I suppose healways shall. I miss him terribly. God bless his family and those who loved him and may you be comforted by your memories.
Kekeke
Sep 23rd, 2008
True, the JDA and us are enemies, but being at war in SL and someone dying in RL are two totally diffent things.
My condolences.