YouTuber’s message to fans hours before he died in a “regrettable accident”

A popular YouTube star who died suddenly was busy compiling new works for his millions of fans until his death.

Ben Potter, also known as Comicstorian or Mangastorian on YouTube, died in a “regrettable accident” on June 8, according to a statement from his wife.

The 40-year-old had more than 3 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel, where he and his team created radio plays based on comics.

Potter had responded to his fans on social media in the hours before his death, promising them new videos about the comics they loved.

“For those who want to know, the Mangastorian video will be out tomorrow. We’re just behind on the editing. If we can get it done, One piece will drop, if not, it will be my version of My Hero (which is finished, I just haven’t started it yet),” Potter wrote on X on Saturday. He was referring to One piece, a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda.

Just minutes before this update, Potter responded to a fan’s request to update the newly released Downfall #1. The Marvel comic is about Doctor Doom, who must try to stop the villain Galactus from bringing about the downfall of the Marvel Universe.

“Hi Benny. Please make Doom #1. Thanks!” asked @911justice, to which Potter replied, “I didn’t even know it existed. I’ll read it in the morning and make up my mind.”

Potter’s wife, Nathalie Potter, announced his death in a written statement on his main YouTube channel on Monday.

“Two days ago, on June 8th, my husband Ben Potter passed away in an unfortunate accident. To many of you, he was a comic book writer who told stories from many different mediums. To his loved ones, he was one of the best and most supportive people you could wish for,” she began.

Nathalie described how “loving and sincere Ben was” and how “someone who listened and took time for the people he loved”.

“He did his best to make everyone laugh and make sure they were OK. He was our rock and reassured his loved ones whenever they needed it. He was my world and I need time to be with friends and family,” she wrote.

The widower said she needed privacy to grieve, but also wanted to “preserve everything he built and I have no further plans.”

“His channel was one of his greatest achievements and while we all need time to mourn his loss, I know he wouldn’t have wanted it to end this way,” Nathalie wrote.

“Ben has spent over 10 years spreading his love and appreciation for his hobbies. His love of engaging stories and well-written characters is what drew him to YouTube. The team and I want to keep that going.”

She concluded: “To honor him by continuing to tell great stories about great people, and to keep the memory of our own superhero alive. We supported each other in everything we wanted to do, and I don’t plan on stopping now.”