This week’s release of the first trailer for Marvel’s latest superhero franchise “Guardians of the Galaxy” appeared online and many predict the star of the series may prove to be Rocket Raccoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper.
Rocket Raccoon was originally created by one of Marvel’s best loved contributors, Bill Mantlo, in 1976. The character was inspired by the Beatle’s song “Rocky Raccoon”. Rocket was one of the animals on Planet Halfworld, an abandoned colony for the mentally ill in which animal companions for the patients had been genetically engineered to develop human IQs and the ability to walk on their hind legs.
Mantlo was a prolific writer while working at Marvel, in addition to creating his own cult favourites including Micronauts, ROM the Spaceknight and Rocket Raccoon, he contributed to the Spider Man, Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk series.
Marvel’s most recent movie: Thor; The Dark World has made over $200 million in the US, and the studio could earn up to half a billion more when the Guardians is released in August this year but as Marvel owns the title, Rocket Raccoon’s original creator will not benefit from the anticipated success.
The injustice of a situation where the original creator receives no royalties or benefit when their creation becomes exceptionally successful is highlighted in this case as Mr Mantlo has been seriously disabled since a hit and run accident in 1992. His emergency treatment cost more than $1m, and as it dragged on, his health insurance provider became increasingly reluctant to provide the necessary cover. Finally, Mr Mantlo’s family was forced to sell his assets, including his precious collection of comics and memorabilia.
His family has struggled to pay his medical bills and he now lives in unsatisfactory long-term care at an assisted-living facility in New York.
The owners of Marvel Entertainment certainly are no superheroes, having apparently not shown the slightest bit of support for an ex employee who made such considerable creative contribution to their company. Considering the fact that Disney bought out Marvel in 1999 for $4.24 billion one would imagine that at least a nominal donation would have been affordable at some stage. Apparently the Good Samaritan ethos of their superheroes has no place in their own business. Money has far more value to them than human life. Which makes them much more like the bad guys in the stories, than the good guys. (Micky might be hanging round with the wrong crowd as well)
Fans are using the latest promotional release to bring Mantlo’s predicament back into the spotlight.
Charlotte of Oz on Tumbler asks people to contribute at least the cost of their cinema ticket towards his health care and comic book writer Greg Pack gives details of how to donate directly
