Bill Mantlo deserves to be mentioned for a few reasons first and foremost he is the creator of the Marvel character Rocket Raccoon. He also created other amazing characters including my personal favorites Cloak and Dagger. Unfortunately, Bill Mantlo is also known for a terrible accident that befell him in 1992 that left him requiring the need to be cared for during the past 20+ years.
His brother Mike Mantlo has battled by his side navigating the hurdles of our insurance industry and federal health industry over that time. Mike and his wife have maintained constant visits to try to keep his brother's spirits up. I don't think his work in helping his brother can be understated. Mike maintains a place for people wanting to help Bill (Please see link below to donate):
Greg Pak's article with Donation Instructions
There are other charities connected to Bill Mantlo's name. I personally would give money to the link above and I will explain why.
Unfortunately, before the accident Bill Mantlo had a bad divorce. His children Adam and Corrina seem to have been effected by both the divorce and with the emotional trauma of the accident. Due to this they disagree with how Mike ran Bill's affairs. They also did not visit their father for nearly 20 years. Corrina maintains a charity in her father's name as well, this one with aim of creating an educational foundation under his name. It has a facebook page but has not been updated for years. I do not want to pass blame and judgement on anyone who is in this difficult situation but to me Mike is the one who is manning the walls, in the trenches and storming the castle. The task of taking care of a loved one is never easy and Bill's case has been particularity difficult.
To fully understand what happened to Bill Mantlo I highly recommend reading:
Tragic Tale - LifeHealthPro story of Bill Mantlo
I would like to highlight some of the comments included in Tragic Tale Story that concern accusations from Corrina and Adam on the selling of certain properties of Bill's. Part of me does not like posting these private matters but I also feel like people need to know who to give money to and this information is helpful in the matter.
Mike, thanks to you, first and foremost, for making this article
possible. This entire project began with you graciously spending your
time with me and offering a great deal of detail on Bill's case, which
has otherwise seemed to have disappeared.
On the point of Adam and Corinna, I think it is important to note here - so that our readers can see this as well - that something I have tried to put forth in this article is that you had an extremely difficult job with Bill on multiple fronts, and were I to ever find myself in a similar situation, I cannot imagine how it might have been handled differently.
I'll share a comment my executive editor said when he first read this story, "Mike Mantlo is the hero here." I think there is a lot to back that up.
Something else I should have included in this article is this: I made a big deal about Adam coming to visit Bill because it was a first reunion after many years. Mike has been visiting his brother regularly since he was moved to Queens-Nassau. The staff there spoke highly of him for it, in fact.
On the point of Adam and Corinna, I think it is important to note here - so that our readers can see this as well - that something I have tried to put forth in this article is that you had an extremely difficult job with Bill on multiple fronts, and were I to ever find myself in a similar situation, I cannot imagine how it might have been handled differently.
I'll share a comment my executive editor said when he first read this story, "Mike Mantlo is the hero here." I think there is a lot to back that up.
Something else I should have included in this article is this: I made a big deal about Adam coming to visit Bill because it was a first reunion after many years. Mike has been visiting his brother regularly since he was moved to Queens-Nassau. The staff there spoke highly of him for it, in fact.
Dear Mr. Coffin:
While I thank you for bringing my cousin Bill’s story to the public, I do take issue that as a writer you failed to check that all statements were factual. Whether its selective memory on the part of Adam and Corrina or someone fed them false information, either way there’s not a speck of truth in their comments. Hopefully, they will finally realize how wrong they were and thank their uncle for the care he has provided for their father. As your editor rightly stated, Mike is the hero. Most importantly after almost 20 years of absence, I truly hope that they will open up their hearts to a relationship with the man who was and is still their father.
- Jean Di Benedetto
While I thank you for bringing my cousin Bill’s story to the public, I do take issue that as a writer you failed to check that all statements were factual. Whether its selective memory on the part of Adam and Corrina or someone fed them false information, either way there’s not a speck of truth in their comments. Hopefully, they will finally realize how wrong they were and thank their uncle for the care he has provided for their father. As your editor rightly stated, Mike is the hero. Most importantly after almost 20 years of absence, I truly hope that they will open up their hearts to a relationship with the man who was and is still their father.
- Jean Di Benedetto
Where is Marvel in all this?
Marvel is there and helping. First Marvel went to Bill Mantlo's room to give him a special premiere of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Bill, Mike and his wife were treated to a special showing and it apparently was a great, great day for Bill. It really warms my heart that Bill is able to see one of his character's blow up in popularity.
For the record the number one selling comic in July was Scottie Young's Rocket Raccoon.and it is amazing! Rocket Raccoon is doing well both in film and in print.
Bill's name was notably in the credits for creating Rocket Raccoon.
Marvel's presence is also supplying some help to Bill Mantlo. There are no details concerning how but from what people have told me some royalty may have been put in place on Rocket Raccoon merchandise. Keep in mind if you read the article Bill was not necessarily legally entitled to receive these streams of money and they are being done by Marvel in recognition of him.
From Bill Mantlo's facebook page:
Michael MantloBill Mantlo
FOLKS,
FOLKS, FOLKS.....please, enough of the hating on Marvel. Marvel has
compensated, is compensating, and will continue to compensate Bill well
into the future for anything that he's entitled to compensation for.
Please don't spread false or malicious rumors, gang. Bill's
relationship with Marvel is EXCELLENT, and I wish for it to continue to
be so. And all the false or exaggerated "facts" being
tossed around about his accident (he was NOT in a coma for "years", and
the family was NOT put into financial ruin or destitution, among other
WRONG "facts"). Yes, Bill was the victim of a horrible and tragic
accident. Blowing everything out of proportion does no one any good.
You guys (ALL OF YOU) have been a Godsend to Bill for these past 22
years by keeping his name & reputation alive, and by continuing to
champion my cause of helping him improve his quality of life in whatever
way I can, and I thank you ALL sincerely for that. Please, let's try
some positive energy for the future, so that BILL MANTLO WILL RULE
FOREVER!
I once again would like to promote giving money to help with Bill's care or sending him a fan letter.Both can be found on the link below:
Greg Pak's article with Donation Instructions
To me this really does not count as charity for helping someone out that has created something as awesome as Rocket Raccoon. It is just a simple trade, though in this trade I don't think I could ever give enough to make it fair.
As a big fan of his work I want to personally say thank you to Bill Mantlo.
Thank you Bill!
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