From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bill Mantlo (born November 9, 1951) is an American comic-book writer, primarily at Marvel Comics, and an attorney, best-known for his work on two licensed toy properties whose adventures occurred in the Marvel Universe: the Eagle Award-winning Micronauts and the long-running Rom.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Career 2 Benefit 3 References 4 External links

Mantlo's early work at Marvel included a short stint as a colorist. He soon transitioned to writer, and by the mid- to late-1970s had written issues of nearly every Marvel title. Aside from the licensed properties Micronauts and Rom a.k.a. Rom: Spaceknight, his notable work included runs as regular writer on The Incredible Hulk, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Cloak and Dagger (starring two characters he created), and Alpha Flight.

By the mid-1980s, Mantlo was enrolled in law school. While continuing to write for Marvel, his workload began to decrease. He wrote briefly for DC Comics in 1988, scripting the Invasion! miniseries. By this time he had passed the bar exam and was engaged in full-time work as a public defender in New York City.

In 1992, Mantlo was struck by a car while rollerblading. He suffered severe head trauma and spent over a year in a coma. He has since been institutionalized and is not expected to fully recover.

In May 2006, writer-artist David Yurkovich dedicated his 2004 graphic novel Less Than Heroes to Mantlo, and afterward created The Bill Mantlo Benefit Book project. Proceeds from the book, planned for a Spring 2007 release, are earmarked for the costs of maintaining Mantlo's daily care. It includes interviews with former industry colleagues including Marv Wolfman, Ed Hannigan, Tony Isabella, and George Pérez; an introduction by Mantlo's brother, Michael Mantlo; and previously unpublished Mantlo fiction, including a short comics story entitled Aftermath, which Yurkovich is illustrating.

• The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
• The Grand Comic-Book Database

• The Bill Mantlo Benefit Book
• 2002 update on Mantlo's condition
• Tribute to Bill Mantlo

Preceded by Gerry Conway	Thor writer 1975	Succeeded by Len Wein
Preceded by Roger Slifer & Len Wein	Iron Man writer 1976	Succeeded by Archie Goodwin
Preceded by Gerry Conway	Iron Man writer 1977–1978 (with Gerry Conway in early 1977)	Succeeded by Bob Layton & David Michelinie
Preceded by Steven Grant	Incredible Hulk writer 1980–1985	Succeeded by John Byrne
Preceded by Steve Gerber	Howard the Duck writer 1979–1981	Succeeded by Steven Grant