Bill Mantlo Repaneled

I've done a few pieces for Anthony Vukojevich's excellent blog Repaneled, where Anthony invites people to submit pieces inspired by published comic panels.  I peruse the blog pretty often and came across David H.'s Rom piece and was touched by his homage to writer Bill Mantlo.  Growing up, I read a lot of Bill's Incredible Hulk run and was enamored by his and Mike Magnola's Rocket Racoon limited series.  He is responsible for developing the licensed properties Micronauts and Rom Spacenight into successful comics series that are still near-and-dear to comic fans' hearts and creating the street fighting duo Cloak and Dagger in his Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man run.

Bill was struck down by a hit-and-run driver nearly 20 years ago while rollerblading.  The accident has left him severely impaired and dependent on a full-time care facility, and well, in a pretty horrible state.  Mantlo's family has had to sell off most of his assets and possessions to pay for his ongoing care when his insurance provider denied him the claim for the long-term assistance he needs.  While unable to donate money to the cause, I hope to send Bill the piece above this holiday season and thank him for all the joy his work provided me as a kid and continues to do to this day.  Thanks, David, for pointing me to this link.

This piece is a repaneled homage, inspired by a panel from The Incredible Hulk #290 (Dec. 1983), written by Bill Mantlo, penciled by Sal Buscema, and inked by Carlos Garzon.  And, yes, of course, I chose a panel with MODOK in it.

--B