Gene Colan is sick and has huge medical bills. If only the US had universal national health care, like every other civilized country on the planet. Not that I have a strong opinion about this.
But it occurs to me that one way that DC Comics could help Gene out is by doing a couple of quick collections of his work. Nathaniel Dusk with Don MacGregor and Silverblade with Cary Bates leap to mind, as does a Showcase collection of his Batman work.
The fact that comic readers everywhere will also benefit from having these volumes on their shelves is a bonus.
UPDATE: Via Evan Dorkin, you can donate directly to Gene via Paypal at genecolan /at\ optonline.net.
Posted by Greg at May 23, 2008 1:11 PM
Speaking of Mr. Bates, he's a) not dead, and b) Writing for Marvel! WHATTA TWIST!
As I mentioned the other day, Clifford Meth is holding an auction, all proceeds to benefit Gene. Details on the items and how to bid can be found here.
He is a vet, shouldn't he get veteran's benefits for his care? I know the US Government hasn't made this very good for our vets but still. Sad to hear it and I echo Greg's point about universal health care.
Fil, the vets who get veteran's medical care do very well in that system. Because it covers patients for a lifetime, the VHA can concentrate on preventive medicine via routine care, which offers a huge savings against both acute care and emergency care. Additionally, the VHA's investment in technology has increased efficiency and reduced error. The only downside is if you live out in the boonies, far away from a VHA facility; but similar constraints apply to anyone who lives in the boonies regardless of their health care provider.
That being said, the failed Bush administration has been cutting VHA funding and veterans' eligibility because of the expense of the war. History will not be kind.