Scots comic book genius Mark Millar beats mystery illness

Jan 4 2009 By Toby Mcdonald

COMIC BOOK writer Mark Millar almost died after being pole-axed by his own medicine.

The 39-year-old - whose Wanted series was turned into a blockbuster starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy - lost more than a stone in weight in 10 days.

Marvel comics writer Mark was raced to hospital after his temperature soared to 103 and he developed extreme flu-like symptoms.

Mark, of Glasgow, said: "I went off sick the first week of December and thought I had a heavy cold or flu. My temperature was a consistent 103F and I was awake all night shivering.

"After a week, it wasn't passing andmy wife mademean appointment with the doc.

"He did tests and found my blood was wonky, my spleen was huge and my liver was acting weird - all the symptoms of several very nasty things.

"I was sleeping 20 hours a day and have almost no memory of the whole episode."

Doctors finally discovered Mark was suffering a severe reaction to his medication for Crohn's, which causes agonising inflammation of the digestive tract.

He said: "They rushedme into hospital, kept me there for five days and did a million tests, which I slept through. I can barely remember being in hospital.

"They found out I had a bad reaction to pills you take if you have Crohn's Disease - really powerful drugs called azathioprine.

"They've kept Crohn's at bay - I've only had one flaremy whole life - but this is the second time I've had a nasty side effect."

Dad-of-one Mark - who turned 39 on Christmas Eve - added: "They tookme off them, sent me home and I slept through my birthday and Christmas.

"I dropped 15lb in 10 days and amonly just putting it back on again now.

"I'm feeling a little stronger but I need to take January off for a full recovery."

Wanted, which Mark also co-produced, was the 13th biggest box office hit of last year, taking £230million worldwide.

It stars Glaswegian James McAvoy as an office worker who discovers he is the son of an assassin and is trained to follow in his footsteps by killer Angelina Jolie.

Two sequels are now being planned - and Mark is overjoyed.

Another of his comics, Kick-Ass, is also being made into a movie.

Mark will co-produce the film, which stars Nicolas Cage and tells the story of a teenage vigilante.

He said: "I can't complain about some itsy-bitsy, near-fatal episode. I'll be fine.

"Between five-a-side football, tennis and running with the dogs most nights, I'm the fittest I've been - but this has knocked me on my ass like you wouldn't believe."

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