Cancer, chemo and commissions
Hello, it’s Update Time! It’s a-me, AH! this time around.
It’s been a real whirl of wind, these last couple years, and as some of you know, the latest bear I
have to cross is Stage III Colon Cancer. Whee!
I was diagnosed in late March, just 6 or 7 weeks ago, and had emergency surgery to remove a
thingie, a fiendish thingie, from my sigmoid colon. I started chemotherapy today (May 20 th ), so
here’s hoping for the best.
No real problems or side effects so far, except I (apparently) cannot have cold food and drinks
or ice for a while. I mistakenly had a cold beverage after dinner, and my throat instantly felt
like 80-grit sandpaper. Bizarre. Room-temperature beverages and sugar-free hard candy seem
to have done the trick. Saliva, you magnificent bastard!
I’ve had many nice comments and stories passed along, by people who have survived this or
known someone who has, and I’ve retained a pretty positive outlook, all things considered.
Talk to me after a few chemo sessions, we’ll see how my disposition is. I may go from “I feel
positive” to “WHY PUNY HUMANS BOTHER HUGHES? RARGH!!!”, for all I know.
Art-wise … when I got the diagnosis, I handed back most of my assignments. I’ve had to return
to the hospital a few times in the last month-and-a-half. I can’t guarantee being able to hand in
assignments, which is not fair to the clients. So, my BLACK CAT covers for Marvel Comics and
ZATANNA covers for DC Comics are, for the time being, no mo’.
But that leaves me time to get caught up on commissions, all outstanding commissions. The
attached images show how I’m doing on the Original Art Expo 2026 commissions. Got a few
left to do, especially some of the larger ones. It’s keeping pen to paper, though, which is good,
right?
~AH!~
I hope things have healed well. I always looked up to your art. When I was still in college you signed my poor self's loved crumpled comic for free and ignored your own price sign for signatures that I saw after. I'm still drawing and I always try to look out for people the same way now at my own artist booth, even if I'm not famous yet. My dad has cancer and it's a tough fight, so I know what it's like from the family side. I really hope it heals and never ever returns.
I'm dealing as well Adam. I hope things are going well for you. Keep doing your thing. Never let this shit disease define you! MH!
I hope you’re doing well Adam! Thinking of you. keep fighting!!!
When I was 6 years old, 51 years ago my father had intestinal cancer. Even with the stone knives and bear skin surgical wear of those days, my father survived another 32 years.
I have faith that medical advances are in your favor.
Well wishes from an insignificant, if not so puny human.
I just want to say you have all my thoughts and prayers. We’ve met a couple of times at different cons, and you are definitely one of the great guys in comics. Stay busy and hope to see you in person again soon.
Michael Blackburn