Ben Potter, a popular YouTube content creator known by his handle Comicstorian, died after an “unfortunate accident,” according to his wife. He was 40.
Nathalie Potter said her husband died June 8, but did not provide further details.
“His channel was one of his greatest accomplishments, and while we all need our time to mourn him, I know he wouldn’t want it to end like this,” she said on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Ben spent over 10 years spreading his love and appreciation for his hobbies. It was through his love of exciting stories and well-written characters that got him started on YouTube. The team and I want to keep that going. To honour him by continuing to tell great stories by great people, as well as to keep the memory of our very own superhero alive. “
Potter, who had more than three million followers on the platform, was known for crafting audio dramas of comic books. He last posted on YouTube on Friday, the same day he is said to have died.
WATCH | One of Comicstorian’s last YouTube videos:
Potter played an important role connecting new audiences with the comic universe, according to Hassan Khadair, a YouTube comedian who co-hosted some Comicstorian videos.
“Ben started Comicstorian about 10 years ago at a time where the Marvel Cinematic Universe was just kind of getting on its feet. People who weren’t nerds were going to go see comic book movies because of big actors,” he told CBC News.
“He made these books that otherwise are entirely inaccessible accessible. He turned comic book volumes into audio dramas. He did whatever he could to give credit and to support the actual growth of the comic book industry, as well as creating a medium for young people to get into books … It honestly changed the fabric of a lot of readers and writers.”
Potter also had a major impact on Khadair’s own success. Khadair, who has nearly 2.8 million followers on YouTube and six million on TikTok, reached out to him on Discord, a social messaging app designed for gamers, and the pair struck up a friendship. He also provided career advice as agents reached out, and eventually, the two began collaborating, Khadair said.
I’ve been going through old pictures with Benny today <br>Our matching time square billboard <a href=”https://twitter.com/Comicstorian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Comicstorian</a> <a href=”https://t.co/W83CmPe315″>pic.twitter.com/W83CmPe315</a>
—@HassanKhadair
Some of the comic universe’s biggest writers also praised Potter’s impact on social media.
“Completely stunned and deeply saddened to hear this,” bestselling comic book author Scott Snyder, who has written for both DC Comics and Marvel, wrote on X. “Benny’s love for comics was infectious and amazing to be around. My sincere condolences to his family.”
DC Comics and Variant Comics also offered their condolences on Instagram.
“We are at a total loss for words,” Variant Comics’s comment said. “Benny has been a staple of our community for a very long time, and it is hard to imagine the YouTube comic space without him.”
“Ben’s voice will be missed,” DC Comics said. “Our hearts go out to his wife, family and friends.”