Hero Initiative Travels To Albuquerque Comic Expo 2011 with Bernie Wrightson

Press Release:

HERO INITIATIVE TRAVELS TO ALBUQUERQUE COMIC EXPO “ACE” WITH GUEST BERNIE WRIGHTSON

June 16, 2011 (Los Angeles, CA)  Hero initiative, the non-profit organization that provides a financial safety net for comic creators in need, is making it’s first appearance at Albuquerque Comic Expo, June 24^th-26^th, at the Albuquerque Convention Center, located in historic downtown Albuquerque at 401 2^nd Street NW Albuquerque NM. Joining us at ACE is artist Bernie Wrightson, known for Swamp Thing, and artist of Punisher and Batman: The Cult.  Bernie will be at our booth, #615, all day Saturday and Sunday, right next to Hero Board member Brian Pulido, so make sure you drop and give him a shout while you purchase your goods at the Hero booth!

In addition, Mr. Wrightson has generously agreed to do two sketches for lucky winning fans of Hero’s eBay auctions. Go to: http://qurls.com?i=50388 or http://qurls.com?i=50389 to bid on one of these treasures!

To the con, make sure you purchase you tickets at http://abqcomicexpo.com/purchase-tickets/ and click on the “cart” page to make a donation to Hero, the easiest way to help our cause!

 

SIGNING SCHEDULE AS FOLLOWS, HERO INITIATIVE BOOTH #615:

FRI, 24 JUN (con hours 10-7)

1230-230: Ryan Cody

330-430: Daniel Campos

430-630: Gene Ha

SAT, 25 JUN (con hours 10-7)

ALL DAY: Bernie Wrightson

1030-1230: Andy Kuhn

230-430: James O’Barr

SUN, 26 JUN (con hours 10-6)

ALL DAY: Bernie Wrightson

1130-1230: Gene Ha

1230-130: James O’Barr

130-230: Daniel Campos

 

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354

 

IL – Free Comic Book Day 2011

Gene Ha and Russell Lissau sign at Dreamland Comics on Saturday May 7, 2011 from 1-4pm for Free Comic Book Day!

Gene Ha – Artist on Top 10, Fortunate Son, The Adventures of Cyclops and Pheonix, and Global Frequency.

Russell Lissau – Writer on Batman Allies Secret Files and Origins and The Batman Strikes!

Dreamland Comics
105 W. Rockland Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048

Albuquerque Comic Expo (June 2011)

Event Details:

• Category: Comic Book Convention
• Location: New Mexico
• Date: Friday, June 24th 2011 - Sunday, June 26th 2011
• City: Comic Book Convention in Albuquerque
• Event: Albuquerque Comic Expo
• Address: Albuquerque Convention Center
• Country: US
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Convention Name
	Albuquerque Comic Expo
Convention Website Address
	http://www.abqcomicexpo.com
This convention will take place:
	over multiple days.
Start Date
	06/24/2011
End Date
	04/26/2011
About This Convention
	The Albuquerque Comic Expo is the southwest’s newest and most exciting comic book, pop culture, and entertainment convention! Taking place June 24th-26th, 2011, ACE features an impressive guest list of over 40 comic book, celebrity, and media guests. Featuring a special appearance by comic book legend Stan Lee!
Venue Name and Address
	Albuquerque Convention Center 401 2nd Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 United States Map It
Number of Dealer/Exhibitor Tables
	200
Projected Attendance
	10000
Please select the Category that best describes the convention
	Comic Books
Additional Categories
	Anime Gaming Science Fiction and Fantasy
Guests
	Stan Lee, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis, Ben Templesmith, Doug Jones, Ernie Hudson, Michael Golden, Lloyd Kaufman, Jeremy Bulloch, Peter Mayhew, Jim Kelly, Richard Hatch, Arthur Suydam, Aaron Campbell, Ale Garza, Gene Ha, Andy Kuhn,James O’Barr, Joe Jusko, Mitch Brietweiser, Whilce Portacio, Tony Harris, Jill Thompson, Tim Seeley

DC Announces Panel and Signing Schedules for C2E2 2011

Via The Source, DC has announced their panel and signing schedule for C2E2 2011:

FRIDAY

GREEN LANTERN
4:30-5:30pm, Room 474
What’s in store for Green Lantern’s comics adventures in 2011? War! Join DC Executive Editor Eddie Berganza, Doug Mahnke, Tyler Kirkham, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and others to get a sneak peak into the future of GL in the DCU!

DC NATION
6:30-7:30pm, Room 470b
The DC NATION returns to Chicago! Co-Publisher Dan DiDio and some of comics’ top talents give you the inside scoop on what’s new from DC Entertainment. DCU, VERTIGO and MAD will all be discussed, so come on by and join the nation!

Creator Signings  for Friday, 3/18:

2:30-3:30 PM
Christian Alamy, Doug Mahnke, Ivan Reis, Tyler Kirkham, Joe Prado, Rod Reis

3:30-4:30 PM
Tony Daniel, Scott Snyder, Ryan Benjamin, Gail Simone

3:30-4:30 PM
Yildiray Cinar, Kevin Maguire

4:30-5:30 PM
Paul Cornell, Don Kramer, Phil Hester

4:30-5:30 PM
Art Baltazar, Mike Norton, Franco

4:30-5:30 PM
Brian Azzarello, Bill Willingham

SATURDAY

DC UNIVERSE
11:30-12:30pm, Room 474
What will happen to your favorite DCU characters during this year’s major events? Join DC Executive Editor Eddie Berganza and SVP – Sales Bob Wayne, along with Yildiray Cinar, Art Baltazar, Franco, Mike Norton, Kevin Maguire and others to hear about upcoming highlights from the DCU.

VERTIGO
1:30-2:30pm, Room 470b
Find out what compelling tales comics’ edgiest imprint has in store for you in the months to come! Join Senior Group Editor Shelly Bond, Scott Snyder, Bill Willingham, and others for a discussion of your favorite VERTIGO titles.

DC ICONS
2:30-3:30pm, Room 474
DC’s top heroes are the topic of this panel spotlight. Executive Editor Eddie Berganza, Tony Daniel, Paul Cornell, Scott Snyder, and Phil Hester lead the discussion on the latest Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman news.

DRAWING DC
5:30-6:30pm, Room 474
Superstar artists Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke and Tyler Kirkham show off their distinctive styles while drawing on a machine that projects their work on a giant screen. Check out this unique presentation that will give you an inside glimpse into the artistic process!

Creator Signing  for Saturday, 3/19:

12-1 PM
Bill Willingham

1-2 PM
Joe Prado, Ivan Reis, Rod Reis, Christian Alamy, Tyler Kirkham, Doug Mahnke

2-3PM
Brian Azzarello, Gene Ha

2-3 PM
Franco, Mike Norton

3-4 PM
Yildray Cinar, Kevin Maguire

4-5 PM
Tony Daniel, Scott Snyder, Ryan Benjamin, Gail Simone

4-5 PM
Paul Cornell, Don Kramer

SUNDAY

BRIGHTEST DAY
1:00-2:00pm, Room 474
Executive Editor Eddie Berganza, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, and others will reveal insights and hints about the epic Brightest Day story – and where the event will lead next!

FABLES: THE FIRST 100 – ONE-ON-ONE WITH BILL WILLINGHAM
4:00-5:00pm, Room 470a
The mind behind Vertigo’s mega-popular series comes to Chicago! Bill Willingham is joined by VP – Marketing, John Cunningham, for an in-depth look back at the first 100 issues of Fables – as well as a glimpse at what’s to come!

Creator Signings for Sunday, 3/20:

12-1 PM
Jill Thompson, Bill Wilingham

12-1
Brian Azzarello, Gene Ha

1-2 PM
Ryan Benjamin, Tony Daniel, Gail Simone

1-2 PM
Paul Cornell, Don Kramer, Jamal Igle

2-3 PM
Joe Prado, Rod Reis, Christian Alamy, Tyler Kirkham, Doug Mahnke, Ivan Reis

2-3 PM
Franco, Mike Norton

John McCrea Makes Rare Appearance at C2E2 2011 with Hero Initiative

Press Release:

Hero Initiative with Special Guest John McCrea at Chicago’s C2E2

With 100 Avengers Unveiling Party sponsored by Graham Crackers Comics

March 14, 2011: C2E2 – short for the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo – is the latest convention spanning the greatest in the worlds of comics and pop entertainment. Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization raising money for comic creators in need, will be joining in the fun March 18-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. Hero will be joined by our special guest, artist John McCrea, making his first North American appearance in eight years. John is best known for Hitman, Spider-Man and Hulk Smash!, and will be signing and sketching all weekend at Hero’s booth, #457.

You can purchase your tickets to C2E2 using Hero Initiative’s special link online at:

http://www.c2e2.com/en/home/?campaignid=61619341&iusercampaignid=65576889.

Use this link, and C2E2 will donate a portion of each ticket purchase to Hero at NO extra cost to you—a true win/win!

In addition, Hero is displaying all 100 of its original New Avengers #1 covers for the first and only time at C2E2 in a gala event sponsored by Chicago’s own Graham Crackers Comics. The special unveiling will take place from 6 PM to 8 PM on Saturday, March 19 in Room 185bc of the West Building of McCormick Place. Admission is a mere $5, or $3 if you show up wearing any Avengers costume. Tickets will be on-sale at the door starting at 5 PM. And, be advised, only 200 tickets will be sold! Your admission also gets you a free raffle ticket to win a special New Avengers #1 wine bottle, covered in sketches from a variety of Avengers artists! Additional raffle tickets will be available for sale at the party. This star-studded event will be attended by Phil Hester, Jamal Igle, John McCrea, Andrew Pepoy, Gordon Purcell, Joe Quesada, Alex Saviuk, Tim Seeley, Mark Waid, and more. Spend your Saturday evening with some amazing people for an astonishing cause!

It’s arrived! Archie: 50 Times an American Icon, the collection of Hero’s original Archie #600 covers, will be available for the first time ever at C2E2 in both hardcover and softcover editions! Grab your copy and get it signed by contributors Dave Hillman, Andrew Pepoy, Cliff Chiang, Jill Thompson and Dan Parent, Friday at 6:15 at booth #457!

And if getting inked is your thing, check out the eBay auction to win BOTH custom Cliff Chiang art and a tattoo based on the art by tattoo artist Brian Stringer at: http://qurls.com?i=50010

Hero Initiative’s booth schedule for C2E2 at booth #457:

Friday, March 18 (hours 10-7)
1130-130: John McCrea
130-230: Jamal Igle
230-330: Gene Ha
330-530: John McCrea
530-615: Gordon Purcell
615-700, Archie book signing: Dave Hillman, Andrew Pepoy, Cliff Chiang, Jill Thompson, Dan Parent

Saturday, March 19 (hours 10-7)
1030-1230: John McCrea
1230-130: Jamal Igle
130-230: Tim Seeley
230-430: John McCrea
430-600: Gene Ha
600-800: 100 Avengers event, attended by Phil Hester, Jamal Igle, John McCrea, Andrew Pepoy, Gordon Purcell, Joe Quesada, Alex Saviuk, Tim Seeley, Mark Waid

Sunday, March 20 (hours 10-5)
1030-1230: John McCrea
1230-130: Bill Reinhold
130-230: Gordon Purcell
230-430: John McCrea

About The Hero Initiative:

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strict to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

C2E2 Announces More Guests of Honor and Featured Guests for 2010

MORE GUESTS OF HONOR AND FEATURED GUESTS ARE ADDED TO GROWING LIST OF APPEARANCES AT C2E2!

Announcement Comes at Start of C2E2 Holiday Tour

Norwalk, CT, December 15, 2009: Organizers of the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) have announced that four more Guests of Honor and five more Featured Guests have been added to the growing list of special guest appearances by popular writers, creators and artists at the new pop culture convention which is being launched April 16 – 18, 2010 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center. Chuck Dixon, Steve Epting, Bob Layton, and David Lloyd will appear as Guests of Honor and Gene Ha, Mark Morales, Joshua Ortega, Khoi Pham, David Uslan, and Dexter Vines will appear as Featured Guests. Officials note that this brings the total number of Guests of Honor appearing at the new show to 12. The number of Featured Guests who have been lined up is 10.

“We are incredibly grateful to all the talented individuals, many of whom are the very best at what they do, who have committed to making an appearance at our show,” notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President and Show Manager for C2E2. “We’re going to deliver a spectacular show, a quality, professional event that brings top artists and creators from across the country together with their many fans – and this is still early in the game! As soon as 2010 kicks in we will have plenty more guests to announce so stay tuned!”

C2E2′s announcement comes at the start of its Holiday Tour in Chicago, where Show Manager Lance Fensterman and representatives of the C2E2 team will be delivering prizes and gifts during a week-long meeting with fans, professionals, and retailers throughout the greater Chicago area. Details about the Holiday Tour are available at www.C2E2.com.

Daily, Weekend, and VIP Tickets to C2E2 are now also available at www.C2E2.com Daily and weekend tickets are currently priced at a discounted, early bird rate. Fans wishing to take advantage of his lower rate must order their tickets before December 31st, after which the cost will rise to standard pricing. For more information on tickets, guests, or C2E2 in general, beyond the official show site, fans are encouraged to visit C2E2′s official blog, www.mediumatlarge.net, and follow C2E2 on Twitter at www.twitter.com/c2e2.

ABOUT CHUCK DIXON:
Born in Philadelphia, Chuck Dixon has more than 25 years of experience in the graphic novel field as an editor, writer, and publisher. He has contributed well over a thousand scripts to publishers including DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, Hyperion and others featuring a range of characters from Batman to The Simpsons. His comic book adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit continues to be an international bestseller. Considered to be one of the most prolific writers in his field, this award-winning storyteller currently writes G.I. Joe for IDW, The Good the Bad and the Ugly and Stargate Universe for Dynamite, and The Simpsons for Bongo Comics along with many creator-owned projects for various publishers.

ABOUT STEVE EPTING:
With a career stretching back to First Comics, Steve Epting made his name with Marvel fans everywhere with a 50-issue run drawing Avengers in the early ’90s. He also contributed art to various X-Men titles, including the Factor X series, part of the seminal Age of Apocalypse event. This was followed by a stint at DC Comics, working on their flagship Superman, as well as on an acclaimed run on Aquaman. After working on various CrossGen titles, including the Eisner-nominated El Cazador, which he co-created with writer Chuck Dixon, Steve returned to Marvel to embark on his first collaboration with writer Ed Brubaker on Captain America. The award-winning team of Brubaker and Epting then culminated Marvel’s 70th Anniversary by redefining the origins of the Marvel Universe in The Marvels Project.

ABOUT GENE HA:
Gene Ha is a comic book artist mainly known for his superhero stories and covers. He started off drawing books such as Cyclops and Phoenix for Marvel and Starman for DC. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, Top 10 and its prequel, The Forty-Niners. Both projects won Eisners, the highest award in American comics. In 2008, he won his third Eisner for Justice League of America #11 with writer Brad Meltzer. He is currently doing a series of painted covers for DC’s Blackest Night: JSA and Kevin Smith’s Batman: Widening Gyre. Along with writer Bill Willingham, he’s diligently working on Backroads for IDW, a modern fantasy graphic novel. Gene Ha’s work has been reprinted in countries as far flung as Poland, France, Brazil, and Japan. Gene Ha lives outside Chicago in Berwyn, IL with his lovely wife Lisa and their two beagle bassets. Since college he’s tried to avoid temptations that will distract him from drawing more comics, and thus never mastered using a game controller with more than one button. Sad but true. More info about him can be found at www.geneha.com and www.facebook.com/geneha.

ABOUT BOB LAYTON:
In 1978, with writing partner David Michelinie, Bob totally re-imagined Marvel’s Invincible Iron Man, ultimately transforming it from a low-end book into one of Marvel’s all-time best sellers. Their “Demon in a Bottle” storyline is now considered a milestone in comics history. Second only to his tenure on Iron Man, Bob is also known for his innovative contributions to the Valiant Comics line as Editor-in-Chief and Senior Vice President. Bob (with David Michelinie) returned to Marvel Comics and Iron Man in 2008, creating two, new limited series to be released in conjunction with the Iron Man motion picture. Marvel has recently released two hardback editions of Layton’s classic Hercules series in conjunction with his new four-issue Hercules mini-series for 2009. Along with comics work, Bob and David Michelinie are currently collaborating on the development of properties for major motion pictures and television, including his highly successful web comic, Colony. For more, visit www.boblayton.com.

ABOUT DAVID LLOYD:
David Lloyd was born in North London and trained in advertising art before becoming a sequential artist in 1977. He first attracted attention working on Night Raven for Marvel UK, and later created the globally successful V for Vendetta with Alan Moore. He’s worked on various stories in the Hellblazer series, Aliens, Marlowe: The Graphic Novel, Global Frequency, War Stories, and the acclaimed crime thriller, Kickback. For European publishers, he’s drawn for a collection of war memoirs, Words of Stars, and produced his first limited-edition print, The Prizefighter. He’s also written and illustrated a book on Sao Paulo. Currently he’s helping launch an educational website in the UK called Cartoon Classroom. More information on Kickback and David’s other past and present projects can be found at www.lforlloyd.com.

ABOUT MARK MORALES:
A graduate of New York’s famed School of Visual Arts, Mark Morales is a longtime comics veteran. Over the course of his 15 year career, he has worked for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics and various others, mostly as an inker. Through the years, Mark has worked on such titles as Uncanny X-Men, Secret Invasion, Justice League, New Avengers, Thor, Daredevil, and many others. Currently he is hard at work on Siege from Marvel Comics.

ABOUT JOSHUA ORTEGA:
Joshua Ortega is a Seattle-based writer whose work spans nearly the entire spectrum of the popular arts. He has written for every major American comic book company including Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse, Image, Top Cow, TOKYOPOP, Dynamite Entertainment, and more, working on high-profile properties such as Star Wars, Spider-Man, Star Trek, Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer, and Battlestar Galactica. A former journalist, Ortega is also the author of the critically acclaimed novel ((FREQUENCIES)), co-writer of the short film …loves Martha, and has worked on a wide variety of Xbox 360 titles for Microsoft Game Studios, including the smash hit Gears of War 2. He has been featured numerous times on NPR and has also appeared on G4 and Syfy in addition to many other major media outlets. Updates on his new work can be found at www.joshuaortega.com.

ABOUT KHOI PHAM:
Khoi Pham is a penciler for Marvel Comics. He is currently working with Dan Slott on Mighty Avengers and worked previously with Brian Bendis on Mighty Avengers: Secret Invasion. His other published work includes Incredible Hercules, X-Factor, What If? Spiderman: Other, 1602 Fantastick Four, and Marvel Comics Presents. He is also featured in Image’s Wonderlost and Image’s Outlaw Territory. Khoi is a founding member of Ten Ton Studios. Visit www.khoipham.com and www.tentonstudios.com.

ABOUT DAVID USLAN:
David Uslan began his career even before graduating from college as an intern with D.C. Comics, Walter Cronkite’s production company and Wild Brain Animation Studios. Not long after graduating Mr. Uslan went to work for his mentor and father, Michael Uslan, where he assisted in developing and producing films including Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Constantine, Catwoman, National Treasure and The Spirit. In 2007, Mr. Uslan became a partner in the formation of COG1 Entertainment, a renowned digital interactive production company. As senior vice president of development, Mr. Uslan is responsible for selecting, acquiring and developing properties for feature film, television, videogames and Digital Uses. Among projects acquired or developed by Mr. Uslan are the upcoming feature films Honor Thy Father, Mascot To The Rescue, Black Dawn and The Secret History of Tom Trueheart, the Internet reality series Price My Pride, animated series Kindergoth and Bob Monkey Giant Robot Arm, live action comedy series Hero Withdrawl, and the documentary series Mob’s Greatest Hits.

ABOUT DEXTER VINES:
Dexter Vines is an American comic book artist and inker. He is most well known for being one half of the “eDex” team, along with artist Ed McGuiness. Vines is an Atlanta, Georgia native and is one of the comic industry’s most respected inkers, having worked on a multitude of titles for both Marvel and DC. Some titles include Marvel’s big 2007 summer event Civil War, Superman/Batman, The Hulk, and Wolverine: Old Man Logan.

ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS POP CULTURE GROUP:
The Pop Culture Group at Reed Exhibitions owns and operates the New York Comic Con (NYCC), the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), and the New York Anime Festival (NYAF). New York Comic Con was launched in 2006 and quickly became a dominant presence in the pop culture world of public events. In 2009, 452 companies exhibited at NYCC for a total of 84,000 square feet of paid exhibit space, and it has been ranked by Crain’s New York Business as the second-largest annual event in NYC. C2E2, which will debut April 16 – 18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, is modeled after NYCC and will provide fans the opportunity to meet and greet their favorite writers, creators, and artists, as well as to see, hear and learn about the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. The Pop Culture Group also operates the recently-launched Star Wars Celebration in partnership with the Lucasfilm Ltd. and UFC Fan Expo. Additionally, it holds a strategic partnership with Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in 2008 and will work closely with PAX on the launch of PAX East in Boston in 2010.

Hero Initiative and George Perez at Chicago Comic-Con

Hero Initiative tags along with George Pérez to the Wizard Chicago Comic-Con!

Speed Dating event, Hero Comics, Hero Initiative panel and an amazing lineup at the booth!

Los Angeles, CA (August 3, 2009) – Hero Initiative travels with one of America’s most influential and popular comic book artists, George Pérez, to the Chicago Comic-Con August 6th-9th at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Known for his amazing work on The Avengers, New Teen Titans and more, George will be the anchor at the Hero Initiative booth, #1340-#1342.

George will also be the congenial host at the best (or possibily first!) speed dating event in comics history! Who’da thunk it? There’s now (J.J.) Sachs and (Ernie “Violens”) Schulz perfume oil for ladies and men, based on the great Sachs and Violens comic by Peter David and George Pérez! To kick off this sweet-smellin’ product, we’re having a speed dating event limited to only 40 lucky fans! Really! You could meet the geek of your dreams!

The event is strictly limited to 20 men and 20 women only! Admission is $35.00 and gets you:
• Access to the speed dating party
• Corresponding ladies or men’s Sachs and Violens perfume oil or cologne oil (a $25 value all by itself!)
• A velveteen bag for the scent with foil-stamped logo
• This great, exclusive postcard featuring NEW George Pérez art
• One drink ticket to lubricate the gears of conversation (ID required for alcohol; non-alcoholic drinks also available; further drinks cash bar)

Think about it: You’ll get to meet 20 like-minded, comic-lovin’ members of the opposite sex in a relaxed, cool environment—and smell great, too! This could be the night that changes your life! Get your tickets NOW at http://qurls.com?i=47988 and http://qurls.com?i=47989.

Hero Initiative’s exclusive Hero Comics is now available and not in stores until August 12th! You can purchase the gem at the Hero Initiative Booth ( #1340-#1342) and have it signed by both cover artists Matt Wagner and J. Scott Campbell starting at 5pm, Friday, August 7th!

Don’t forget to attend the Hero Initiative panel with special guests Chris Klamer, Jim McLauchlin, George Pérez, Brian Pulido and Jim Valentino , Saturday, August 8th at 2pm in Room C, the Jack Kirby Room.
And Hero’s booth signing schedule is as follows:

THUR., 06 AUG (HOURS 400-800 PM)
430-630: George Pérez
630-800: Skottie Young
[830-1000: Sachs and Violens Speed Dating with George Perez]

FRI., 07 AUG (HOURS 1000 AM-700 PM)
1030-1230: Gordon Purcell
1230-230: George Pérez
230-430: Chris Samnee
500-600: J. Scott Campbell + Matt Wagner in a special Hero Comics signing

SAT., 08 AUG (HOURS 1000 AM-700 PM)
1030-1230: George Pérez
1230-230: Bill Reinhold
[200-300: Hero panel in Room E, the Mike Wieringo Room]
230-430: Gene Ha
330-430: George Pérez
430-630: Tim Seeley

SUN., 09 AUG (HOURS 1000 AM-500 PM)
1030-1230: George Pérez

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

Hero Initiative Offers Hero Comics at SDCC

Top Writers and Artists Create Hero Comics, a Hero Initiative Benefit Book

Industry superstars Howard Chaykin, Bill Willingham, J. Scott Campbell, Matt Wagner and more contribute with all proceeds benefiting Hero

Los Angeles, CA (May 18, 2009)—Hero Initiative is very proud to announce the release of Hero Comics.

The 32-page, no-ads comic, edited and produced by Scott Dunbier, special projects editor at IDW Publishing, will be released in late July with two covers, Eve by J. Scott Campbell, and Grendel by Matt Wagner. The fundraising book will contain great, all-new content including an original American Flagg! story by Howard Chaykin, and original stories by Gene Ha, Bill Willingham, David Lloyd, and Kaare Andrews.

In addition, Arthur Adams will recreate three classic Marvel Comics covers, and Hero Initiative beneficiaries such as Gene Colan, Bill Messner-Loebs and Josh Medors will tell their own personal stories, detailing their severe struggles, and Hero’s involvement.

An excerpt from Josh Medors’ story reads:
“When I am feeling almost ready to give in to my cancer, ready to throw my hands in the air and say ‘I quit!,’ I get a call from the Initiative. ‘Just wanted to see how you are doing.’ It may not seem like much, but let me assure you—When the monster bites and the pain pills aren’t working, a call like that is more effective than a Super-Soaker filled with holy water against the ol’ Count.”

This special edition comic retails for $3.99, and will be on sale at comic stores worldwide on July 29, 2009. It’s available in the Diamond Previews catalog for August-shipping items in the IDW section, order code JUN090950 .

“I’ve been an active supporter of the Hero Initiative since I was first asked to help out,” stated Howard Chaykin. “It’s particularly important in this volatile era that we remember the men and women who made our industry, and make certain that they have the happy endings they richly deserve.”

Fans will be able to get their hands on this epic treasure early at the San Diego Comic-Con, July 23-26, 2009 as well. Copies will be on-sale at the Hero Initiative booth, #907.

“It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work on a book like Hero Comics. The job that the Hero Initiative does, helping comics creators in need, is a noble endeavor, one all of us should get behind,” said Dunbier.

All proceeds from the book benefit Hero Initiative, as all creators involved have donated their services. IDW is donating its publishing services, Comicraft is donating lettering and book design, and Try Vision Company, Inc. of Los Angeles is donating printing.

About IDW
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: television’s #1 prime time series CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount’s Star Trek; Fox’s Angel; Hasbro’s The Transformers, and the BBC’s Doctor Who. IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. In April 2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children’s book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be found at http://www.idwpublishing.com.

About The Hero Initiative
The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

IL – JSA vs Kobra #1 Signing

Event Details:

• Category: Signings or Appearance
• Date: Wednesday, June 10th 2009
• City: Signings or Appearance in Chicago
• Event: Gene Ha – JSA vs Kobra #1 Signing
• Address: 1845 N. Western Ave. 2R
• Country: US
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

Name: Gene Ha

Date(s): Jun.10.2009

Description: Gene Ha is one of the artists of Top Ten. Gene Ha is an Eisner Award winner. Gene Ha is awesome. You knew all this. THE BIG NEWS is that Gene Ha will be signing copies of JSA VS KOBRA #1, for which he’s providing the covers, on JUNE 10th at 5:00pm! We’re super-excited. Not a month goes by that we don’t recommend Top Ten to someone, and the Justice Society is one of the most dependable franchises at DC, so this book should be pretty awesome. Click on that poster to the left and look at that Ha cover! Gorgeous. But it’s not just Gene Ha we’re hosting! We’re also bringing out a few of the models he used for the cover, so you can get your book signed by Power Girl and Mister Terrific while still not sounding like a crazy person. Or, any more of a crazy person? I don’t want to paint myself into a corner here, you know? Anyway… GENE HA! AT CHALLENGERS! READ TOP TEN AGAIN AND GET EXCITED!

Location: Challengers Comics, 1845 N. Western Ave. 2R, Chicago, IL 60647

Website: http://www.challengerscomics.com

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