Former Batman artist, Norm Breyfogle, suffered a stroke in December 2014, mere months before he was set to make his 2000AD debut in the Free Comic Book Day issue of Judge Dredd. The left-handed artist has suffered paralysis down his left side, and is currently undergoing physical therapy.
Due to a lack of insurance, Norm’s life-savings have all but been depleted by the expensive medical bills he has to pay. His family started a youcaring.com page to help raise money to take care of the bills, but that ended two months ago, $100,000 short of the goal they needed.
Now, the replacement artist for the issue, Mike Hawthorne, is donating part of his fee to help pay for Norm’s care and physiotherapy, helping with his recovery.
Norm Breyfogle
Mike said: “Judge Dredd is a character I’ve long wanted to illustrated, so I was absolutely thrilled when 2000 AD offered it to me, but getting this job under these circumstances made the gig bitter sweet. This job, by all rights, should have been Norm’s. I felt immediately that, if I was to take this book, the only right thing to do was to share some of the pay with Norm. So, with the help of the folks at 2000 AD, I made a donation of one full page towards Norm’s medical fund. I only wish I could have given him more.”
“Free Comic Book Day is really about community, and being part of being in a community means helping out when someone is in need. I just want to do my part, and I hope that all the fans out there will continue to help Norm and his family as he continues to recover”
“I also hope Norm knows how many people are rooting for him, and are eager to see him back at work.”
Although the fundraiser has ended, you can check out Mike’s art in the Free Comic Book Day issue of 2000 AD, featuring Judge Dredd: In Through the Out Door, available from participating comic book stores worldwide on 2nd May.
Tags: 2000ad, Batman, judge dredd, mike hawthorne, norm breyfogle
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