My favorite comic writer, John Ostrander, sadly is presently all too aware of the downsides of the individual health insurance market. That’s not an uncommon state for freelancers. Comicbookresources has the summary:
Veteran comic book writer John Ostrander has legions of fans. And from his own creation for First Comics, “Grimjack,” to his landmark run on “Suicide Squad” (where he famously re-introduced former Batgirl Barbara Gordon to the DC Universe as Oracle), the 60-year old Chicago native has also proved to be a major influence for dozens, if not hundreds, of new writers breaking into the industry over the years.
So when news broke Ostrander was facing some major medical bills while undergoing surgery to reduce damage done to his eyes fromglaucoma, the comic book industry and its fans rallied. Spearheaded by fan favorite writer Gail Simone and with a launch at Chicago Comic-Con earlier this month, the Comix4Sight art auction has already raised more than $30,000 for Ostrander. Those who couldn’t attend the convention have a chance at purchasing their own piece of comics history as an auction to sell all remaining pieces of art has moved online, and the first lot goes on sale today at www.comix4sight.com.
All monies raised above Ostrander’s medical expenses goes directly toThe Hero Initiative, a not-for-profit organization that assists comics creators in need of assistance.
It’s been going on for a bit now but there’s still a stream of items. I just bid on a signed scripted and also a signed Monty Python DVD. In related news, I need to catch on Secret Six:
Ostrander also made news recently when it was announced he would be writing “Secret Six” #15, a fill-in issue of Gail Simone’s critically acclaimed DC Comics series. The issue will focus on Deadshot, a character Ostrander energized during his run on “Suicide Squad” in the 1980s. Ostrander's latest Grimjack story, "The Manx Cat," is also on sale now from IDW Publishing.
I’ve been picking up the TPBs of Secret Six but I may grab the individual issues, or maybe I’ll pick up a few more back TPBs of Simone/Ostrander series first. My collection of even the better known stuff isn’t yet complete.
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