JK Rowling Reaches Out to Survivor
If you watch the news at all you may recall hearing the incredible story of bravery about a fifteen year old girl from Texas, Cassidy Stay, who survived an attack by her uncle that left her parents and siblings murdered, but she was able to call the police and save her grandparents from the same fate.
Just three days later, during a press conference, she found the courage to speak about what happened. During the press conference, Cassidy quoted a line spoken by Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter, saying, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
Soon after the press conference a Facebook Group was started named, “We want JK Rowling to meet Cassidy Stay.” In little under a month, one of the followers posted this to the page, “This afternoon, I talked to a friend of Cassidy’s who confirmed that JK Rowling did, in fact, write her a personalized letter from ‘Dumbledore’ (hand-written with purple ink). She was also sent a wand, an acceptance letter to Hogwarts with a school supply list, along with the 3rd book with JK’s autograph…” The line of Dumbledore’s that Cassidy quoted is from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
The contents of the letter have not been released and Rowling has made no official comment or statement regarding the letter. That is not, however, very surprising considering Rowling is one of the most private public figures. So on behalf of all Harry Potter fans and human beings, thank you JK Rowling for your kind act that can potentially help a young girl through this incomprehensible time in her life.
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.” -Albus Dumbledore
Source: US Magazine
Rocket Raccoon Creator Gets Private Screening in Hospital Room
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you should be aware of the most recent Marvel WIN! that is Guardians of the Galaxy. Non-comic reading nerds, such as myself, may have no idea who the Guardians are and are confused why a talking raccoon could be worth paying upwards of $10 to see. Well let me just tell you, it was $10 well spent.
Now Rocket Raccoon, originally Rocky, is not the oldest of the Guardians but he’s been around a while. He was introduced as Rocket Raccoon in a 1976 issue of The Incredible Hulk by Keith Giffen and Bill Mantlo.
In 1992, Rocket’s creator Bill Mantlo was left permanently brain damaged and in need of long term hospital care. When it was decided that Rocket was going to make his movie debut, some big wigs at Marvel felt it appropriate to share the lovable rodent’s time in the sun with its creator.
Marvel Attorney David Althoff and Vice President David Bogart worked through all the red tape and legal mumbo jumbo to give Mantlo a private screening in his hospital room. Bill’s Facebook page, run by Michael Mantlo, posted “Giving Bill this opportunity was a daunting challenge…but these two fine men made it happen, and Bill had the happiest day of his life!”
Mantlo was also happily surprised to see his name in the credits as Rocket’s creator. His Facebook read, “…and when the credits rolled, his face was locked into the hugest smile I have ever seen him wear (along with one or two tears of joy)!” Mantlo loved the movie,”…giving it his highest compliment (the big “thumbs up!”).
When Marvel purchased the rights to Rocket from Mantlo, they also made a donation to his medical treatment fund. If you would also like to make a donation to help out Rocket’s creator you can do so here.
Source: People Magazine
(Editor’s Note: this post was written by Paige Clark)