I remember when I had my eyes opened about what might be called underground comics, or comix. I was set up on a blind date with a young woman who my friend thought was perfect for me - because she was also into comics.
After only one conversation with this prospective date I found out she knew little to nothing of what I associated with comics. She couldn't have cared less about capes and cowls or continuity, and found the concepts of spandex and superpowers to be utterly ridiculous. Obviously things did not work out, but she did introduce me to American Splendor and Harvey Pekar.
From that introduction I also saw Pekar frequently on "Late Night with David Letterman" and grew to enjoy his work. American Splendor was a new kind of storytelling for me, and I couldn't get enough of it. It expanded my horizons as to what a comic book could do and what it was capable of as a medium. 
Harvey Pekar passed away late last night. He was seventy. We have lost another legend, one of America's greatest and most underrated storytellers. He will be missed.
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