Harvey Pekar dies, and other top stories...

The comic book writer Harvey Pekar has died. A jazz enthusiast and resident of Cleveland, Ohio, he was known for his series American Splendor. In 2003 it was adapted into a successful film starring Paul Giamatti. A great influence within underground comics, his autobiographical works placed emphasis on the trivialities of daily life. Cult artist Robert Crumb illustrated many of Pekar's stories. He had been suffering from prostate cancer, as documented in his graphic novel Our Cancer Year -  a collaboration with wife Joyce Brabner...

The Australian conductor Charles Mackerras has died at the age of 84. He had been scheduled to perform at both the BBC Proms and Edinburgh International Festival later this summer. Active ever since he joined the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as an oboist during World War II, his many achievements include conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra, acting as music director for English National Opera and being conductor laureate of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He leaves a fine legacy of recorded work, having performed symphonies by Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert...