Read a free comic, help a creator in need

A recent press release from Smashout Comics announced the return of “Swords of the Swashbucklers” as a free online download at wowio.com.  In addition to getting to check out a sci-fi/fantasy epic from the 1980s, the proceeds will aid in the care of the writer, Bill Mantlo.

From the press release:

With the cooperation of Bill’s brother Mike Mantlo, co-creator (Jackson) Guice and series artists Geof Isherwood and Colleen Doran, all royalties from Swords of the Swashbucklers will be redirected to Mike, to assist with Bill’s quality of life.

In 1992, Bill Mantlo was struck by a car and suffered extensive brain injuries. Today, he requires 24-hour care and is not expected to fully recover. Though Medicaid covers his basic needs, the project will help with new clothes and other life improvements.

“I have to thank to Roger Stern for the idea,” says Steve Horton, Smashout Comics publisher. “He suggested I contact Bill’s estate about Swords of the Swashbucklers, as I had wanted to see it back in print. And now, here we are! I couldn’t be happier that we’re able to assist Bill and his family this way.”

As a special bonus, with participation of artist Polly Law, the first issue of the regular series includes the hard SF short story Rising of the Moon, originally published in EPIC Illustrated 5.

Also, Guice has provided promotional artwork and original art scans, which appear as back covers of the books.

“In the early 1980s, I had the tremendous blessing of finding myself working with writer Bill Mantlo on my first regular assignment in comics (The Micronauts),” says Guice.

“In addition to taking a nervous young artist under his wing, and helping guide me through some very intimidating first few months of experience in the industry, Bill and I soon discovered a strong collaborative spirit between us — constantly on the phone — bouncing ideas back and forth for potential new characters and projects to come.  It became something of an ongoing joke between us, as we invariably would drift off topic into discussing — yet another — new project idea, whenever we spoke.”

“As our run on Micronauts was coming to a close, Bill and I had several project ideas we felt strongly enough about to consider submitting to EPIC, the then new creator-owned line of books at Marvel. We weren’t entirely sure yet what we wanted to work on next, only that we were determined to continue working together. I had recently acquired studio space for myself in a rented loft and had dubbed the place, Swashbuckler Studio. Bill called shortly after the studio phone was hooked up, and I answered, ‘Swashbuckler Studio — Butch speaking.’”