Back in July, comic fans heard the news that the legendary comics artist Carlos Ezquerra was suffering from lung cancer, so they thought it would cheer him up if they sent him a get well card – and that it would make sense to say it with comics.
The project quickly morphed into a book as comic creators from across the globe got enthusiastic about sending Carlos their best wishes and that book has now been delivered to a very surprised but delighted Mr Ezquerra.
Wrapped in a cover drawn by Kevin Levell, the comic included get well messages from a host of creators.
A grateful Carlos – who had one lung removed in the battle in an ongoing effort to beat the cancer – has now sent a couple of messages through Facebook to Mark Howard, the man who made all the magic happen, indicating how much the comic meant to him and how it’s helped given him renewed determination to defeat the illness as he undergoes chemotherapy.
“I was overwhelmed with the get well card,” he writes, “a massive 34-page book full of beautiful illustrations and extremely nice words. It filled my heart with joy and my eyes with a couple of tears.
“What can I say but thanks – you are beautiful people and [you’ve] given me a reason to fight this illness and carry on working.”
The Get-Well Carlos team are now working on a follow up project and you can read more about that here on the downthetubes forum courtesy of The Emperor, if you want to take part.
• Get Well Carlos Ezquerra Super Squirrel Project – now reposted on downthetubes with thanks to editor Mark J. Howard
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Art and Illustration, Comic Art, Comic Creator Spotlight, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News