Bill Mantlo was a prolific Marvel Comics writer in the ’70s and ’80s. He brought us ROM, the Micronauts, Cloak and Dagger, along with dozens and dozens of awesome issues of the Hulk, Spider-Man, Marvel Team-Up, and so much more, including creating everyone’s favorite Guardian of the Galaxy – Rocket Raccoon. Tragically, Bill was struck by a hit-and-run driver while rollerblading in 1992 and suffered a traumatic, permanent brain injury. Ever since the accident, for the past 27 years, Bill has required round the clock medical care. His brother, Michael Mantlo, has been the caretaker responsible for his well-being.

 

 

 

My big brother is, and has been, permanently disabled for the last 27 years, and I willingly accepted the responsibility of being appointed his caregiver all those years ago.  

I have been attempting to bring my brother home from the nursing home he has been placed in for the last 10 years.  It has been a difficult struggle, filled with numerous pitfalls and obstacles, but I gave my word to him that I would do everything in my power to make it happen so that he could live out the rest of his life with dignity, and peace.  It has become painfully obvious to me in the last few months that the powers that be will not let that happen.  

As for me, being retired and living on a fixed income, this ordeal has become a financial nightmare.  I have nearly bankrupted myself in my attempts to build a home for my brother, and arranging for his necessary care.  The reimbursements from his money sources don’t come anywhere near covering all that I have sacrificed for him from my own funds.  I have been playing credit card roulette in order to finance everything I’ve done for him, and now it has overwhelmed me.  I am nearly $100,000 in debt, and the piper is demanding payment.   

I have never been one to beg, and I’m having to swallow hard on my pride here, but if any of you can find it in your hearts to help me, I would be eternally grateful.  

I love my brother, and no matter what happens, I will always do whatever I can to help him. 

For those that are concerned that Marvel hasn’t been kind or generous to creator Bill Mantlo, his brother Mike has this to say:

“Bill was treated in an exceptionally fair manner by Marvel/Disney and Marvel has made incredibly generous gestures.”

Marvel reportedly made a donation to Bill Mantlo’s medical fund when they purchased the rights to the Rocket Raccoon character, and respectfully provided Rocket’s creator with an on-screen credit in the film. They also facilitated an early, private, in-hospital screening for Bill of the GOTG film.

All of that is commendable by Marvel, but the fact remains that the cost of Bill’s care is enormous and any donations you care to make will be greatly appreciated by his family. So, if you love Rocket Raccoon — or Rom or the Hulk or the Micronauts or Cloak and Dagger or any of the incredible characters Bill Mantlo wrote during his prolific career, or simply want to support a creator’s family in their time of need — please consider clicking the button below to send your donation to Mike Mantlo for Bill’s ongoing care.