Michael Mantlo, brother and caregiver to Rocket Raccoon creator Bill Mantlo, has passed away. The cause of death is not yet known.Michael was beloved by his friends and family and was known for his generosity and caring nature. He started taking care of his brother after he was severely in a car accident in 1992 that left him needing constant care and put Michael in heavy debt. He ran a GoFundMe campaign last year to help offset some of the money owed.
Aside from caring for his brother's health, he also went to great efforts in persuading Marvel to give Bill a screening of Guardians of the Galaxy, as he was not able to make it to a theater.
Bill Mantlo has had a storied career in the comics industry, creating Rocket Raccoon and Cloak and Dagger for Marvel. He also co-wrote the DC crossover limited series Invasion!, which was adapted as an Arrowverse crossover event. His other writing credits include Alpha Flight, The Amazing Spider-Man, Captain America, Cloak and Dagger, Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider, Marvel Team-Up, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Thor, What If...? and X-Men.