Gene Colan, one of my favorite Silver Age artists, who is probably better known for his work on Daredevil and Tomb of Dracula, though I’ll always remember for his work on Dr. Strange, has fallen ill.
Being an old timer in the comic book industry means he is among the long list of truly legendary comic book creators who are financially strapped in their old age, primarily due to not realizing the level of popularity their creations would reach, thus signing away their creative babies for pittance. Now, in an era of comics-turned-million-dollar-film-franchises and such, they’re forced to sit back and watch the hundreds of millions that should be theirs being stuffed into the pockets of studio executives.
Enter The Hero Initiative.
The Hero Initiative, formally called A.C.T.O.R (A Commitment To Our Roots), is a non-profit organization that has created a sort of financial safety net for comic book creators. It’s a way to give back to the medium that has given us so much.
Well, The Hero Initiative, along with Marvel, have started a campaign to help Gene with his medical bills. They’ve produced a limited edition lithograph of Gene’s artwork to Invincible Iron Man #1 that will be made available at Wizard World Philadelphia for $25 a piece.
It’s a damn nice lithograph and if I were attending Philly Con this year, I’d pick one up. If you’re attending, I reccomend stopping by the Hero Initiative booth and getting one for yourself.
If they end up producing something that isn’t a con exclusive (beyond the Philly Con piece above, there will be other pieces available at other conventions throughout the year), I may go out of my way to order one.
Gene’s family members have posted an address to which you can send gifts or get well cards:
Gene Colan
2 Sea Cliff Avenue
Sea Cliff, NY 11579
USA
—
I haven’t truly taken my leave of the internet as I said in my last post, yet I’ve still managed to get quite a bit of reading done. I’ve nearly finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Tomorrow: Work, then groccery shopping, then we’re off to see The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian. I’ve heard wonderful things and we’re all very excited.
Ramblings and Musings 