If you’re a fan of writer John Ostrander, then you may want to take a look at this:
Apparently, the writer of the Spectre, the Martian Manhunter, and Deadshot is battling glaucoma, and is undertaking several expensive trips to Boston in order to undergo glaucoma filtration surgery. That said, this is an expensive procedure, and his health insurance has not been able to cover all of the costs.
Glaucoma, for those who aren’t in the know, is a condition where excess fluid or pressure erodes the optic nerve. It can result in blindness, which is a bad condition for someone who needs to see pages.
Because of this, several of Ostrander’s friends have come together to create Comix4Sight.com, asking anyone who is a fan of the writer to donate on his behalf. During the Chicago Comic Con next month, they will hold an auction for John, with any additional proceeds going to the Hero Initiative. If you can’t make it but still want to donate, click the link above for a Paypal option.
[Tip of the hat to Gail Simone for the link]
July 13th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Given what John and his late wife Kim Yale have given to the industry over the years, both in terms of story and legacy, I’m in for this. (Chatting with Kim so very many years ago was an absolute pleasure and still a particularly fond memory… so perhaps I’m a bit biased towards John in that regard.)
July 13th, 2009 at 10:36 am
can somebody please change the pathetic health care system in the US? this is getting embarassing.
other than that, ostrander wrote spectre and hawkman.
in the 90ies. god knows people could use good comics in the 90ies…
August 7th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
John Ostrander is a living legend.
Our org, eb30.us, is at the show in Chicago, and helping with the auction. We have donated a collectible from last years show, that will be auctioned off with comix4sight.com
Please, everyone donate to help John out, he’s helped all of us out with his great storytelling.
When I think of great comics writers, John Ostrander is at the very top of that list.
August 9th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Many, many years ago John and I were classmates at Loyola University (Lakeshore). We were in theatre (drama) together and actually spent some wonderful hours on Loyola radio doing “Chicken Man”. John had a passion for writing that was clear to me even in our youth. He had fun acting but I saw him at his best when he was writing. For some unknown reason, he appreciated my meager gifts and included me for a time in the cast of Chicken Man. Of all my classmates, I felt John was absolutely the one who was going to see his dreams come true. It is shameful in the US that artists (and others) need to be anxious about a basic right such as health care. My prayers are with you, John. I am confident that the love and support you have given will return to you 100 fold.
Marybride Dorgan Misar