Best Wishes and Prayers to Steve Gerber.

One of the most inventive comic-book writers of the 1970s has announced several health problems. One of said problems, ulcerative colitis, is "the nuclear equivalent of irritable bowel syndrome." Another, pulmonary fibrosis, is ultimately fatal.

"Above all, just in case anyone's tempted, do not accuse me of courage in the face of adversity. I'm scared shitless. (And no, it's not because of the colitis.)"

The HERO Initiative is helping to pay Gerber's medical bills. If it upsets you to think about the comic-book writers and artists of the 60s and 70s and how little payback they've received, you could do worse than to look into this organization.