BILL MANTLO: A LIFE IN COMICS ENTERS PRODUCTION

[MattBrady]

Press Release

Bill Mantlo is a name known to most any contemporary fan of comics. His career as a writer for Marvel spanned over 15 years, during which time he authored more than 500 stories. Known for lengthy runs on INCREDIBLE HULK and Spectacular Spider-Man, Bill also produced equally impressive runs on MICRONAUTS and 79 issues of ROM: SPACEKNIGHT. It is more than somewhat ironic that Bill, who devoted much of his life scripting tales of persons with super-human powers would be involved in an accident and suffer permanent cognitive damage. Thankfully, Bill’s legacy remains; many of his works continue to find new readers through the trade paperback market and through back-issue comic sales.

MANTLO: A LIFE IN COMICS will provide an in-depth look at Bill’s career, from his early collaborations with artist George Perez on the SONS OF THE TIGER series in DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU; to mainstream series like MARVEL TEAM-UP, CHAMPIONS, IRON MAN, HUMAN FLY, HULK, SPIDER-MAN, and CLOAK AND DAGGER; and to unique works like PARADOX and SWORDS OF THE SWASHBUCKLERS.

Featuring commentary and interviews from many of Bill’s collaborators and contemporaries (such as Keith Giffen, Ed Hannigan, Tony Isabella, Al Milgrom, George Perez, Roger Stern, Herb Trimpe, and Marv Wolfman) MANTLO: A LIFE IN COMICS will also feature a rare gem—a previously unpublished prose story, SOMETHING LIKE COURAGE, written by Bill in 1990.

MANTLO: A LIFE IN COMICS is planned as a 64-page, 8.5 x 11 release with color and black & white throughout. It is being produced and edited by David Yurkovich (LESS THAN HEROES) in cooperation with Bill’s family. All proceeds will go to Bill's guardian, who can then direct any, or all, funds to specific needs that will benefit Bill. Artists and editors who’ve worked with Bill are encouraged to contact the editor at david@sleepinggiantcomics.com. Release date and other specifics will be forthcoming.

[rock334]

I will definately pick this up. It is way overdue that Mr. Mantlo was recognized for his achievments. Thank you, Mr. Mantlo for hours upon hours of reading enjoyment, I wish I could see your name in books now. You are missed....
Billy

[nietoperz]

Anything that will go towards helping Mantlo has to be a good thing.

[I am MODOK]

Bill has become one of my favorite super-hero writers. I've been actively seeking out his work in the last year or so. Anything to help give him his due respect is awesome.

[delawarejoel]

One of my two or three favorite figures in comic books; Micronauts and Rom are big favorities of mine -- a guy who could write terrific one-issue fillers and huge, multi-part epics. Somewhere back aways somebody posted an address for fan mail to Mr. Mantlo to help keep his spirits up during his on-going difficulties - can somebody repost that?

A class act - never forget getting a personal card from him in response to my letter to the Micronauts letters page.

[Jeffrey D. Smith]

He definitely believed in personal contact with his readers. I once sent a letter to Marvel critical about one of his stories, and he looked up my phone number and called me to explain why that one had gone wrong.

[The Marvel]

This is great news -- I love Mantlo's work and I will encourage everyone to support this project, thus supporting Bill.

[Duke Jupiter]

Before Bill was a writer on some of my favorite Marvel comics, he was a colorist. One of the issues - maybe the first one I saw his name listed, not sure - was AVENGERS #129, the beginning of the Kang storyline that ended with the death of the Swordsman in GIANT-SIZE AVENGERS #2.

Anyway, I remember seeing Bill's name shortly after that appear as a writer's credit in books like MARVEL TEAM-UP, where he introduced Captain Jean DeWolff and The Wraith amongst various team-ups with Spidey and whoever was available. Some enjoyable stories.

And then there were the fill-ins he did with Sal Buscema on a host of Marvel books whenever somebody failed to meet their deadline (imagine that!). Solid, dependable stuff!

As you can see, Bill Mantlo is a part of my Marvel history - a big part. I'll be in line to support this fine project when it becomes available. In the words of a wise man, "'Nuff said."

- DJ

[Not From Around]

I confess that I didn't know anything about the Bill Mantlo tragedy until I saw this article and looked into it further. Does anybody know anything about how he has been doing recently?

It's good to see some of his friends and colleagues working to help him out like this. Those closest to him really need this kind of support in their long-term commitment to caring for him.

[Posco]

It is nice to see a hommage like that to Bill Mantlo. He was one of a very interesting group of Marvel writers during a certain period of that company. Roger Stern and David Micheline are just 2 others who come to mind.

I wonder if Mantlo would still be working for Marvel today without the accident or if he would have been forgotten by the editorial management there like so many others. But comic book readers will remember his work for sure. His Crossroads storyline in Hulk was years ahead of its time. Marvel should really collect that storyline as a trade, which would also result in a little bit more money for Mantlo.

[Stéphane G]

Bill Mantlo always was one of my favorite comicbooks writers. I miss his stories.

[BillReed]

Man... ROM was a wonder.

Yeah, I definitely want one of these.

[Rawle Austin]

Bill's run on Alpha Flight, following on from John Byrne, was absolutely brilliant.

He's a class act and best wishes to him and family.


Growler

[MickeyScouse]

Originally Posted by Duke Jupiter

Before Bill was a writer on some of my favorite Marvel comics, he was a colorist. One of the issues - maybe the first one I saw his name listed, not sure - was AVENGERS #129, the beginning of the Kang storyline that ended with the death of the Swordsman in GIANT-SIZE AVENGERS #2.

I'm glad someone else remembers Bill was a colorist before taking up writing. That issue of Avengers is one I remember fondly, the colours in that book were excellent.

[Marc Andreyko]

it's about time! Bill Mantlo is one of the most important writers in the Marvel legacy. his output, diversity and quality is jaw-dropping to this day. i'd even call him the "pre-bendis bendis"! some of my favorite comics ever were written by Bill. my biggest regret is that i'll never be able to tell him what an influence he was on me or thank him for the years of great stories.

marc

[Mercury]

Bill was roller blading in San Francisco in the early 90s and hit by a car head-on. He's had brain damage ever since. I believe he got out of comics to become a public defender.

this man shaped my childhood comics reading (along with Herb Trimpe and Sal Buscema) as i read the Hulk from the age of 4 onwards. i remember the crossroads saga and being confused as hell (i was 5 years old) and being fascinated all the same.

and of course, many foundations were laid by Mantlo for continuity of the Hulk for years to come, as Peter David has said.

i'm aware of the issues with Barry Windsor-Smith, but it doesnt stop me from enjoying Mantlo's work, which i've always enjoyed and enjoy in retrospect when i find a back issue he scripted.

looking forward to this release, and its about time Mantlo got some long overdue credit.

[Endocrine]

The most recent news item I was able to find on Bill Mantlo's current status (althought it's from last November):

http://home.hiwaay.net/~lkseitz/comi...c/mantlo.shtml

I started collecting Marvel comics in the mid 1970's, along the time Bill was writing some of my favorites: Marvel Team-Up, Spectacular Spider-Man, and all of the various fill-ins he did for Marvel. Even loved the Micronauts (at first) and Rom (with some great Ditko art!). One of the best things Marvel has done in the past several years is the "Essential" collections, which keep a lot of Bill's work in print! (And I hope Bill's family receives some sort of compensation for these wonderful reprints!)

A "new" story by Bill is something I'm looking forward to! This book cannot come out fast enough!

Dave

[BuckySinister]

Mantlo wrote many of my childhood favorites: Rom, the Hulk, Spectacular Spider-Man, and my ultimate childhood fave, the Micronauts. I was very sad to hear about his accident, and I'll be on the lookout for this when it's released.

[Bill Myers]

Bill Mantlo wrote many of the comic-book stories that thrilled me in my youth. Mr. Mantlo wrote comics that were, perish the thought, good fun. When I read about his accident in Tony Isabella's column in the Comics Buyer's Guide, I was deeply saddened.

I will of course buy more than one copy of this book. I owe a debt to Mr. Mantlo that I can never fully repay. He filled my childhood years with wonderment and imagination.

[spiderrob8]

I recognize most not all as Marvel books. Are they all Marvel?

[beta-ray]

Micronauts was one of my first "favorite" comics... Rom was well-loved by me as well... Thanks Mr. Mantlo...

[nietoperz]

Mantlo's run on the Incredible Hulk is wonderful as well: well worth tracking down if you can.

[HughSterb]

Bill Mantlo's run on Spectacular Spider-Man circa issue #80 was one of the definitive Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock battles-- it may have been the best Spidey vs. Doc Ock story ever writtten, and it opened the door for Byrne's classic Doc Ock paranoia storyline that ended with the death of Reed and Sue's second child during childbirth. Fantastic stuff.

[Mike Bullock]

ROM, Micronauts, Alpha Flight, Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, Cloak & Dagger... it just didn't get any better than these books. Not only should everyone get a copy (or two) of this book when it comes out, you should get your hands on all Bill's old works that you haven't read (or read in a long time). Good stuff!

[hondo]

As everyone else has stated here, Bill Mantlo was a prominent yet sadly underrated writer for Marvel back in the 70's and 80's. I loved almost everything he wrote but especially Micronauts (one of my all-time favorite titles. period.), ROM, and his Hulk was kicka$$ too with Sal Buscema pencils.

This benefit book is long overdue. I will keep my eyes open for it.