Saw this linked on Warren Ellis' site:

http://www.comix4sight.com/

Our friend, noted comics writer John Ostrander, has been battling glaucoma for years now.

If he loses, he loses his eyesight More details at the link.


Basically John Ostrander is fighting glaucoma - his health insurance won't cover the cost of the help he needs..so his friends and family are turning to his fans for help.

There will be an auction at the Chicago Comic con but we can also donate via paypal right now.

Ostrander was a seminal 80s writer for me - Suicide Squad is still a treasure in my collection. His run on Firestorm, Hawkworld, Spectre and Martain Manhunter are also fondly remembered by me and many others on this board. His recent Suicide Squad mini showed me that he still has what it takes to write a great tale.

I will be donating what i can via paypal. Times are tough but it's the least i can do for someone who has given me so many amazing hours of entertainment via his comics. I cannot imagine a writer going blind...that would be horrible.

Let's try and help this legend of the comic industry.

Wow, what a shame. Ostrander is a great writer.

Still never read his Suicide Squad run, but will certainly pick up the Showcase collection of it if it ever gets released.

His Spectre run was absolutely magnificent, though, and I also enjoyed his two Gotham Nights mini-series. Although I don't remember if the artist on those ever did any other comics work.

Ostrander is currently writing Star Wars: Legacy. I will donate something... I hope he gets the funds he needs. Terrific writer.

Her name was Mary Mitchell. She did a little bit more comics work, but not a whole lot.

9-11 (2002)
#1 - 'Artists Respond'

Batman: Gotham Nights (1992)
#1 - 'Chapter One: Giants'
#2 - 'Chapter Two: Dreams'
#3 - 'Chapter Three: Organisms'
#4 - 'Chapter Four: Heart of the City'

Batman: Gotham Nights II (1995)
#1 - 'Marking Time'
#2 - 'The Lessons of Life'
#3 - 'Final Blows'
#4 - 'Ashes to Ashes'

Elric: The Bane of the Black Sword (1988)
#4 - 'The King Beneath the Hill'
#5 - 'The Flame Bringers'
#6 - 'To Rescue Tanelorn'

Heroes for Hire (1997)
#14 - 'The Dragon of Wall Street'

Manhunter (1988)
#5 - 'Interface'

Marvel Legacy: The 1990's Handbook (2007)
#1 - 'Annex to X-Treme'

Marvel Valentine Special (1997)
#1
Maze Agency (1989)

Just donated as well - hope he meets his goal and can pay his bills.

Got to give Didio credit for giving him work in recent years - hope we see this trend continue.

Thanks, Kevin.

From the text page in one of the GN issues, you would have thought she was about to be the next Byrne, Simonson, or Miller...as an artist, at least.

Please feel free to post this on other sites guys - the word needs to get out!!

One of his major works I have never read is Grimjack - good opportunity to check out the trades and send him some royalties I guess!

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/070931- ... imone.html

At the recent San Diego Comic Con, Gail Simone worked to help raise funds for Mr. Ostrander by collecting donated original art, covers, pages, and more for an auction at the Chicago Con. You can read about her experiences at the above link, plus there are several examples of some stunning artwork that has been donated. The pieces include Batman vs. Hawkman by Andy and Joe Kubert, a Batman/Wolverine pinup by Jim Lee, a Captain America by Neal Adams, and more.

I really hope they raise the money needed to help Mr. Ostrander..!

John Ostrander is one of my all-time favorite writers. I especially love GRIMJACK and his SPECTRE run. I've never read SUICIDE SQUAD, but if it's ever reprinted, I'll be there.

Anyway - thanks, John V., for bringing this to peoples' attention. I've enjoyed Ostrander's work far too much over the years not to help.

Bob - Suicide Squad is definitely worth reading via back issues - a seminal work from a great writer !!!

I donated as well - Ostrander was a favorite of mine growing up and i really love it how fandom (via the net) can now help out and embrace older creators who are in trouble...Dave Cockrum, Gene Colan, The Shuster family home...and now John Ostrander...a true community that helps each other out.

The fact the The Spectre by Ostrander and Mandrake hasn't been collected except for the first 9 issues (I think that's what the out of print trade included) is criminal. Especially since the first arc really concludes in issue 12. That entire run is gold. Also The Kents has never been collected and that is great, great stuff.

Pretty sure there was a Kents trade, because that's how I read it.

Really? I hadn't heard, but I hope I am wrong on that, It's awesome western action.

The Kents is the one Ostrander series I have yet to read....i should rectify that!!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1563895137/?tag=imwan-20

8 new from $11.11; 12 used from $8.42

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080906- ... imone.html

Gail interviews John OStrander and reveals he will be writing an issue of Secret Six...yay!!