An article worth reading

I've groused about newspaper writers and the way that they write about comics.

I am very pleased to give credit where credit is due. Everyone who reads this should look up an article by a writer named Gavin Ford, who writes for the Star-Gazette of Elmira, New York.

This is actually a two-fer. A very well-written article by someone who either knows what he is talking about, or someone who did his research properly - and it's about an old-school writer who doesn't get nearly enough credit.

One of my friends and I have long been fans of Bill Mantlo, and I found out from a Peter David "But I Digress" column that Mantlo had suffered the accident that Ford mentions in his article.

It's a shame that Mantlo appears to be in less than great shape. But kudos to Ford for writing such a glowing article for a guy that was the linchpin of Marvel in the 70s.

Anyone who was a Spider-Man fan should be grateful Mantlo was around. He certainly contributed some of the more interesting Spidey tales. This includes the first artwork by comic legend Frank Miller (Spectactular Spider-Man 27 and 28) and the great Carrion story arc that followed these issues.

And I will certainly echo Ford in telling you that you should seek out Mantlo comics - especially his Hulk, Rom, Micronauts, Cloak and Dagger (among my favorites by Mantlo), Jack of Hearts, Rocket Raccoon and White Tiger (I think this started in Marvel Team-Up).

I will also be on the lookout for the "Mantlo: A Life in Comics" book mentioned in the article. If I hadn't been fortunate enough to see this article, I would not have known of this.

Thanks Gavin Ford. And happy birthday, Bill Mantlo!