Gene Colan gravely ill

American writer Clifford Meth has put out an urgent plea to help raise money for the family of one of America's greatest comic artists Gene Colan, who is gravely ill. The funds are needed to cover medical expenses, as they don't have comprehensive Medical Insurance, so they are arranging an auction.

Gene's one of the greats, whose work at Marvel included Silver Surfer, Iron Man, Sub-Mariner, Captain America and Doctor Strange. Especially notable were his long runs on Tomb of Dracula (with Marv Wolfman) and Daredevil -- and his incredible collaboration with Steve Gerber on Howard the Duck. He's worked in just about every genre comics have ever touched on: romance, war, crime/detective, western, sci-fi, horror, humour, and of course superheroes.

This regularly updated post on Clifford's blog will give you up to the minute details of the fund raising, but already, numerous artists and writers will be contributing drawings and/or signed books to help Gene and Adrienne Colan with their mounting medical costs. Items will be auctioned by ComicLink.com.

This list will be updated regularly. So far, it includes (in alpha-order): Neal Adams, Norm Breyfogle, Randy Bowen, Ed Brubaker, Adam-Troy Castro, Paty Cockrum, Peter David, Tom DeFalco, J.M. deMatteis, Pat DiNizio, Harlan Ellison, Mark Evanier, Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, Joe Kubert, Erik Larsen, Bob Layton, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Leah Moore, Albert Moy, Michael Netzer, Josh Olsen, Tom Palmer, Mike Pascale, Jim Salicrup, Bob Shreck, Dave Simmons, Gail Simone, Walter and Louise Simonson, Jim Starlin, Juan Torres, Marv Wolfman and Ash Wood.

NY ComicCon, Harris Publishing, IDW Publishing, PaperCutz, and Aardwolf Publishing have also stepped up. Will Marvel, who hired Gene for so many years to work on Daredevil and so much more be joining them?

I'm hoping any creators or collectors reading this will want to contribute, be it a piece of art for the auction, a signed script, or book.

• Even if you aren't a creator, you can help right this minute: Order Meth, Colan & Other Theologians -- the full proceeds will go directly and immediately to Gene. For details, click here.

• Clifford, pictured above with Gene, is also overseeing the sale of artist Dave Cockrum's collection and file copies for his Estate. Sales directly benefit Dave's widow. Interested? Click here.