It seems a lot of comic creators are having tough times these days when it comes to healthcare and related issues. Colorist Moose Baumann is the latest on the list.
Baumann, colorist on covers of Green Lantern, 52, Flash Rebirth and more, is looking for help to get himself and his wife out of an extraordinary $90,000 in debt from medical expenses. Baumann recently spoke with Newsarama about his plight. Here’s what he told us:
A few years back my wife had breast cancer. She had chemo and a partial mastectomy, and we thought things were good. A year later we found out that it had spread, and she went in for more chemo and surgery. Several months prior she had lost her job and her insurance, and because of her “prior condition” she no one else would insure her. So we’ve been working on paying off the full cost of her medical bills for the past two years, just north of $90 grand.
Right now work is scarce and money is super tight, and on June 1st it looks like we may lose our home because of all of this. I’m trying to sell some prints of my work online to make some quick cash, and hopefully keep my home. I’m reluctant to ask for help, it’s embarrassing, but I’m at the end of my rope.
Baumann is currently selling prints of his work which you can preview here. People can email the artist at moosebaumann [at] mediacombb [dot] net to place orders. He’s accepting both Paypal and money orders. If you’ve enjoyed any of his work, please consider helping the guy out.
May 18th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Some really beautiful work there. I’ll be ordering a few right away.
Sad to see this happening to Moose. He’s a terrific guy and one of the best colorists out there. He needs to be back on the Green Lantern books ASAP!
May 18th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
$90,000?! Why are medical expenses so damn expensive around here. They should have tried ‘medical tourism’ outside the country. Getting treatment shouldn’t ruin people’s lives. That’s even worse than cancer.
May 19th, 2011 at 4:58 am
It’s a sad state of the union. I know plenty of young folks in comics (myself included) that haven’t seen doctors in years. Some of these guys need monthly medicine that they go without because there’s no insurance for freelancers. Basically, if we “get” something seriously wrong, we’re just going to die of it.
May 19th, 2011 at 8:04 am
Moose is insanely talented. Green Lantern hasn’t looked the same without him. DC needs to help him out and give him some steady work!
I get paid tomorrow, I’ll be ordering a bunch of prints for my office. Buck up, Moose. Things will get better.
May 19th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
I ordered a couple of prints last week and they showed up Tuesday. Gorgeous!
May 19th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Just ordered two prints for myself. I was lucky to meet Moose at a Megacon a few years ago. I remarked that my wife had bought me the original art for one of the pieces he was selling prints of. We talked for a long time and as I was getting ready to leave he quickly signed the print and gave it to me. That kind of kindness sticks with you.
May 20th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
My prints showed up today. Really beautiful.
August 1st, 2011 at 11:05 pm
I ordered half a dozen prints a few weeks ago. They showed up today and they’re amazing. The paper they’re on is like velvet and the colors are more vibrant that I thought could be possible.
September 7th, 2011 at 5:52 am
Hey everyone,
Late Friday afternoon I found out that a kid working at the local UPS/mail box store has been stealing some of the print orders that I’ve been dropping of there. I’ve been getting nasty emails for weeks from people wondering where their prints were. Well, there you go. If you have yet to receive your order, please contact me and I’ll get a replacement out to you right away. Thanks.
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