'American Splendor' author found dead at home

Writer Harvey Pekar, whose series of comic books, American Splendor, was made into a film starring Paul Giamatti in 2003, has been found dead at his home. He was 70.

Police were called to Pekar's home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, at about 1am yesterday. His body was found in his bedroom. The writer had been suffering from prostate cancer, asthma, high blood pressure and depression. He had gone to bed about 4.30pm on Sunday in good spirits, his wife told police.

The American Splendor comics, which Pekar began publishing in 1976, chronicle his complaints about work, money and the monotony of life. His quirky commentary and dark humour developed a cult following. Pekar said in a 1997 interview that he was determined to keep writing the series. "There's no end in sight for me. I want to continue to do it," he said. "It's a continuing autobiography; a life's work."