Hero Initiative Heading to Phoenix Comicon 2013 with 30 Creators for Memorial Day Weekend

Press Release:

Hero Initiative hits the ground with 30 creators at Phoenix Comicon on Memorial Day weekend!

Los Angeles, CA (May 14, 2013) Hero Initiative, the charity that comic creators in medical and financial need, will hit the Phoenix Comicon (www.PhoenixComicon.com) Memorial Day weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center from Friday May 23 through Sunday, May 26. Hero will have 30 comic creators all over the floor collecting at their own tables to help raise money for fellow comic creators in need, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman, who will be doing sketches at booth #2422 and donating the proceeds to Hero. Make sure you check him out!

Other creators taking donations for Hero include: Mike and Laura Allred, Ryan Cody, Jen Davidson, Mark dos Santos, Ben Glendenning, Brian Haberlin, Kyle Higgins, Dan Jurgens, Scott Kolins, Andy Kuhn, John Layman, Jeff Mariotte, Mike McKone, Brian and Kristy Miller, Mike Norton, Tony Parker, Brandon Peterson, Whilce Portacio, Brian Pulido, Norm Rapmund, Stuart Sayger, J. Michael Straczynski, Arthur Suydam, Ben Templesmith, Jim Valentino, Matt Wagner, Cory Walker and Dan Wickline.

On Friday, make sure to stop by Majerle’s Sports Grill located at 24 North 2^nd St., a mere three-minute walk from the convention center. Show your Phoenix Comicon program, and Majerle’s will donate 15% of your bill back to Hero Initiative. So eat and drink up!

And on Saturday at 8 p.m., Copper Blues Rock Pub at 50 West Jefferson St. is hosting a drink-and-draw event benefiting Hero. Swing by and see talent, talent, talent!

Hero Initiative will be at booth #2243 all weekend. Stop by to say hello, or grab something to add to your collection! See you there!

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 Initiative 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 $500,000 to the comics’ veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call626-676-6354.

CA – The Walking Dead 100 Exhibit

Sina Grace, Todd Nauck, and Jason Reeves appear at the Gusford Gallery on Friday May 31, 2013 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM!

Press Release:

Robert Kirkman’s Eisner Award-winning comic book series, The Walking Dead, celebrated its 100th issue last July and the issue became the top-selling comic book of 2012. Last year, Skybound and The Hero Initiative gave the comic industry’s leading artists and visionaries over 100 blank covered issues of The Walking Dead #100 to create a set of remarkable artwork originals to commemorate this special issue of the groundbreaking Skybound/Image Comics series. Regular The Walking Dead series artist Charlie Adlard is among the contributors and now, for the first and last time ever, all 106 of the original sketch covers will be on display together — but for one night only. All of the artists came together to benefit The Hero Initiative, the comic book industry’s non-profit corporation helping comic creators in need. While The Walking Dead continues to break records in every form of media, it all started with the comic book and that will be celebrated at this special gallery show and auction.

To enhance the experience for attendees, The Walking Dead #100 original sketch cover artists Sina Grace (Not My Bag), Todd Nauck (Invincible Universe), and Jason Reeves (F-OO Fighters) will be in attendance to answer questions about their covers.

On Friday, May 31 at GUSFORD | los angeles from 6:00 – 9:00 PM, 7016 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, all comic fans are welcome to witness history in the making and in some cases, take a piece of it home. In addition to the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing all The Walking Dead #100 original sketch covers together for the first time ever, four covers will also be auctioned to benefit the industry’s favorite charity at the same time. Two covers will be auctioned via eBay during the course of the event, and attendees can bid via their own mobile devices. Another cover will be auctioned live, on-site for attendees. And in an unprecedented move, a fourth cover will be created live that night by artist Todd Nauck for auction during the event. All attendees at the GUSFORD event can watch Nauck, a comic master, live at work during the event as he creates the final and 106th original sketch cover.

The remainder of the covers will be auctioned off via eBay starting June 4.

Amazingly enough, there is no cost to attend this comic lover’s dream event. It’s free and open to the public but if you feel like more celebrating, there will also be a cash bar in place and zombie-styled treats courtesy of event collaborator and neighboring shop, Golden Apple Comics. We want you to save your money to bid on the covers instead of an entrance fee. The event is a gift from GUSFORD | los angeles and Skybound to benefit The Hero Initiative and the fine work they do as the first-ever federally chartered non-profit corporation dedicated to helping comic legends in need and providing a safety net for them.

For information on the event and auction, please visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626/676-6354. You can always find information for everything related to The Walking Dead at www.Skybound.com and www.TheWalkingDead.com

 

 

Hero Initiative to Breeze Into C2E2 2013 with John McCrea, Gene Ha, and Israel Idonije

Press Release:

Hero Initiative at Chicago’s C2E2

With special guests John McCrea, Gene Ha and longtime Chicago Bear Israel Idonije

Los Angeles (April 9, 2013) Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that aids comic creators in medical and financial need, is breezing into the windy of Chicago to attend the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, also known as C2E2, located at McCormick Place.

Hero will have an all-star lineup of guests including John McCrea, the artist on IDW Publishing’s Mars Attacks!series and Gene Ha, the acclaimed artist of Top 10.

In addition, Hero Initiative is proud to have longtime Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije as he launches his new comic, The Protectors, from Athleta Comics. Idonije will be on hand with Protectors writer Ron Marz and artist Bart Sears for one hour on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. Fans will need to purchase an autograph ticket at the Hero booth, #829 on the floor, starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The $25 ticket gets you a limited edition, exclusive color image of Idonije in his trademark #71 jersey by Bart Sears. Idonije, Marz and Sears will be there to sign it, PLUS you can bring one additional item of your own to be signed by Idonije. There is a strict limit of ONE ticket per person. Don’t miss out!

And Hero encourages fans to seek out the many creators on the show floor asking for donations to Hero Initiative for their signatures. Please check out Amanda Conner, Paul Cornell, Chris Giarrusso, Phil Hester, John Layman, Jay Leisten, Ron Marz, Paul Mounts, Mike Norton, Jimmy Palmiotti, Brandon Peterson, Norm Rapmund, Chris Samnee, Alex Saviuk, Tim Seeley, Joe Staton, Jill Thompson, Skottie Young, and Chrissie Zullo.

Hero’s booth schedule at booth #829 is as follows:

Friday, April 26 (con hours 1100-700):

1130-130: John McCrea

130-230: Peter Krause

230-330: Gordon Purcell

330-530: John McCrea

530-700: Jim Brozman

 

Saturday, April 27 (con hours 1000-700):

1030-1200: Gene Ha

1200-200: John McCrea

200-300: Ron Marz, Bart Sears and Israel Idonije

300-400: Gene Ha

400-600: John McCrea

600-700: Jim Brozman

 

Sunday, April 28 (con hours 1000-500):

1030-1230: John McCrea

1230-200: Gene Ha

200-400: John McCrea

 

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book artists and craftsmen in need. Hero Initiative 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 $500,000 to the comics veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call626-676-6354.

Hero Initiative Heading to MegaCon with Whilce Portacio

Press Release:

Hero Initiative at MegaCon With special Guest Whilce Portacio

Dollar days and Uno’s Chicago Grill Helps Out!

Los Angeles (March 7, 2013) Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that aids comic creators in medical and financial need, will be adding to the craziness at the Orlando MegaCon, March 15th-17th, at the Orange County Convention Center Hall D, located at 9800 International Drive in Orlando, Fla.

And you heard right—Whilce Portacio, the artist of X-Men and Non-Humans, will be anchoring our booth #531 all weekend to help raise money for Hero Initiative. Make sure you do not miss out!

In addition, artists across the floor will be raising money for Hero all weekend. Generously donate $1 per signature and it’s a win- win all weekend to help raise money for our worthy cause! Check out participating creators John Beatty, Mike Choi, Amanda Conner, Steve Epting, Dave Johnson, Mike McKone, Jimmy Palmiotti, Mike Perkins, Brian Pulido, Alex Saviuk, Gail Simone, Frank Tieri, Tim Townsend, Billy Tucci and Mark Waid!

Hungry after the con?  Make it over to participating Uno’s Chicago Grills and show your MegaCon badge or wristband, and 20% of your bill gets donated BACK to Hero Initiative by Uno’s!

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book artists and craftsmen in need. Hero Initiative 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 $500,000 to the comics veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visitwww.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

Hero Initiative at Emerald City Comicon 2013 with Dollar Days

Press Release:

Hero Initiative at Emerald City Comic Con

Dollar Days all weekend!

All to raise money for Hero Initiative!

Los Angeles, CA (February 25, 2013) Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that aids comic creators in medical and financial need is heading to Emerald City Comic Con March 1st through 3rd in Seattle, Wash. at the Washington State Convention Center.

All through the weekend, participating artists throughout the floor will be donating a dollar for their signature. As win-win all the way around!  You can donate just a dollar and help Hero Initiative continue it’s important work for the industry.

Check out the list of participating artists:

• Eric Canete
• Mike Choi
• Francesco Francavilla
• Chris Gage
• Paul Jenkins
• Dave Johnson
• Denny O’Neil
• Dan Panosian
• Brian Pulido
• Darick Robertson
• Tim Sale
• Matteo Scalera
• Fiona Staples
• Richard Starkings
• Mark Waid
• Bill Willingham

Make sure you seek them out and stop on by the booth, #2308 and see what else we have.

 

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book artists and craftsmen in need. Hero Initiative 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 $500,000 to the comics veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.

ON – Hero Initiative Fundraiser

Dale Keown, Leonard Kirk, Ken Lashley, and Marco Rudy sign and sketch at Paradise Comics on Wednesday November 21, 2012 from 1:00 – 6:00 pm to raise money for the the Hero Initiative! They have all contributed to the Hero Initiative’s latest sketch cover theme dedicated to the Fantastic Four.

RSVP on Facebook!

Paradise Comics 
3278 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M4N 2L6 Canada

Hero Initiative Attending Long Beach Comic and Horror Con 2012

Press Release:

HERO INITIATIVE Attends Long Beach Comic and Horror con!

LOS ANGELES, CA (November 1, 2012) –Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that aids comic creators in need, will be attending Long Beach Comic and Horror Con this weekend, November 3^rd and 4^th at the Long Beach Convention Center, 300 East Ocean Boulevard.

 Calling all Fantastic Four lovers! Hero will be showing off selected Fantastic Four #600 original covers at Long Beach Comic Con at booth number #213. Check them out up close and personal, and look for the auctions starting on eBay.com on Nov. 6, under seller: HeroInitiative. Don’t miss it!

In honor of the 30th anniversary of John Carpenter’s The Thing, Storm King Productions has commissioned a limited edition print for the movie featuring NEW art by local artist Dan Panosian! This limited edition print is available for $20, autographed by Dan Panosian! Only 50 copies of the print are also available autographed by JOHN CARPENTER as well at $30! Go to the Storm King booth, #913, before they run out! ALL proceeds benefit Hero Initiative!

We are having $1 sale all weekend! Yes you heard that right—ALL WEEKEND! The Ultimate Spider-Man 100 Project softcover,
 The New Avengers 100 Project softcover,
 Archie: 50 Times an American Icon softcover, Salimba, and
Vision Machine

 are all just $1 each, limit one per item per customer while supplies last at the Hero booth!

 

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 $500,000 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.

For more information, please visit us at www.heroinitiative.org.

Monkeybrain to Donate November 2012 Profits to Hero Initiative

Press Release:

Monkeybrain “Giving Back” through the Hero Initiative

An open letter from Chris Roberson, co-founder of Monkeybrain Comics 

(October 30, 2012): Over the decades, countless comic creators have given us excitement and inspiration, entertained and educated us. And we need to give back.

For most of the history of American comic books, the only income that creators received were the page rates for the work they did. Writers, artists, letterers, and colorists would be paid a flat rate for the pages they turned in, without any royalties for sales or equity for their creations. If a comic was to be reprinted, the creators would not receive any additional payment, nor would they be compensated if characters and concepts from their work were used elsewhere, whether in other comics, in other media, or in merchandising. And since the overwhelming majority of comic creators were freelance employees, there were no pensions or retirement funds for them to look forward to.

In more recent decades, comic book publishers have instituted new policies for comic creators. Some began to offer royalties and bonus incentives for creators, so that if their work sold well or was reprinted, they would participate in those profits. Some publishers instituted creator equity deals, so that if a creator’s concepts and characters were to generate profits in other media, the creator would reap some of the benefit. But few if any of these policies have been made retroactive, and as much as later generations of creators have benefited from the improved financial arrangements, generations of creators who came before them have not.

There are far too many stories of well-respected, talented writers and artists who created successful and beloved comics in previous decades, and who now are living in reduced means—unable to afford health care, unable to find paying work, some even homeless. At the same time, characters created and co-created by many of these same creators have gone on to appear in major motion pictures, on television, and in toy aisles.

The American comic book industry was built on selling morality tales to young readers, stories of men and women who fought for justice and stood up for what was right. And the writers, artists, and others who created those stories deserve better than they have received.

Thankfully, they have the Hero Initiative in their corner.

For more than a decade, the Hero Initiative has provided a safety net for comic book veterans who need assistance, whether in the form of financial support, emergency medical aid, or an avenue back to paying work. In that time, the Hero Initiative has granted more than $500,000 to over 50 comic book veterans. But as a not-for-profit corporation, the Hero Initiative relies on donations and contributions to continue its work.

Throughout the month of November, Monkeybrain Comics will be donating all of its income to the Hero Initiative. Our creators will still receive their cut of the profits, but the portion of each sale that we retain as publisher’s profits will be donated in its entirety to the Hero Initiative. http://www.monkeybraincomics.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 $500,000 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.

For more information, please visit us at www.heroinitiative.org.  

###

   As we in the United States prepare to celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, please consider giving thanks to the veteran creators who have given us so much over the years by donating to the Hero Initiative. And we encourage other publishers to join us in supporting the Hero Initiative through direct donations. Unless and until creator royalties and equity participation policies are made retroactive, charities like the Hero Initiative are the only support many veteran creators have available to them.

About Monkeybrain Books and Comics

Owned and operated by Chris Roberson and Allison Baker since 2001, Monkeybrain Books was originally founded as an independent press specializing in science fiction & fantasy and nonfiction genre studies. Print titles from Monkeybrain Books are distributed to the book trade by National Book Network, and are available from wholesalers like Diamond Comic Distributors, Baker & Taylor, and Ingram, and from finer booksellers everywhere. In 2012, Monkeybrain launched a new creator-owned digital comics line, Monkeybrain Comics, which is distributed by comiXology.

About Chris Roberson and Allison Baker
New York Times Bestselling writer Chris Roberson is best known for his Eisner-nominated ongoing comic book series iZombie (co-created with artist Mike Allred), his modern fantasy series Memorial (co-created with artist Rich Ellis), the Fables spinoff Cinderella mini-series, and his work on Superman, Star Trek/Legion of Super-Heroes, and Elric: The Balance Lost, all of which are available for digital download at http://cmxl.gy/CRoberson. His favorite food is meat, he’s allergic to wheat, and his favorite cocktail is a caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil.

Allison Baker has worked in feature film and political media production for over 13 years, while also managing the day to day operations of Chris Roberson and Monkeybrain Books. She likes the color pink, enjoys a challenge, fixing things, mixes a tasty cocktail and is allergic to being bored.

Chris and Allison met at a Ben Folds Five show in 1997, got married in 2000, started their own business in 2001 and had a baby girl in 2004. All three currently live in Portland, Oregon with a lot of books and their two cats, Bubbles and Blue.

Hero Initiative Travels to NYCC 2012 with Al Plastino Plus 16 Creators Doing Exclusive CGC Signings

Press Release:

HERO INITIATIVE Travels to New York City Comic Con with Al Plastino, The BIG Party and exclusive CGC signings

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 5, 2012) – Hero Initiative, the only federally chartered non-profit that helps comic creators in financial and medical need, is pleased to announce its attendance at New York Comic Con, October 11 thru 14 at the Javits Convention Center, located at 655 West 34th Street in New York. Hero is travelling with an amazing all-star cast of some of the industry’s top comic creators, The Big Multiversity Comics Party, and much more!

A whopping 16 creators will sign books for CGC Signature Series certification for Hero! Creators include:

• Andy Lanning

• Todd Nauck

• George Pérez

• Joe Quesada

• Rick Remender

• Paolo Rivera

• Dan Slott

• Tom Smith

• Fiona Staples

• Ryan Stegman

• Billy Tan

• Herb Trimpe

• Fred van Lente

• Mark Waid

• Bob Wiacek

• Bill Willingham

 

Books to be signed must arrive at:

Paradise Comics

3278 Yonge St.

Toronto, Ontario M4N 2L6

Canada

By no later than Tuesday, October 9.

On-site books can be dropped at the Hero Initiative booth, #1575-#1577, on Friday, October 12 ONLY between the hours of 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM only. Price is $38 per modern book, which includes return shipping. Multiple signatures must add $15, and for pre-1980 books, please contact: info@ParadiseComics.com for pricing.

On Friday October 12 at 11 AM on the Variant Stage, Dare2Draw: Quick Draw will feature both professionals artists and fans drawing together using dynamic action models with prizes and samples provided by our awesome sponsors. All drawings by the professionals will be donated to raise money to Hero Initiative in honor of the late Joe Kubert. Drawing supplies will be provided for all contestants and pro artist Simon Fraser will headline! Look for the winner to be announced on Twitter, @BigCityDnD

Multiversity Comics will host The Big NYCC Party with a bevy of Image Comics creators! Swing by the Houndstooth Pub on 8^th Ave between 36^th and 37^th (a short 3-block walk from the Javits Center) on Friday from 8 PM to midnight. A $10 donation to the Hero Initiative will get you in. It’s a 21+ event, and will assuredly be a fun place for friends, fans and creators to meet, share a drink and mingle. Attendees will include Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Saga), Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore (Luther Strode), and Sina Grace, whose new graphic novel Not My Bag will be debuting at NYCC! Stick around, and a few unexpected additional guests might pop in!

On Saturday, Hero is the ONLY place to meet legendary artist Al Plastino. Al started working on Superman in 1948, and is also the co-creator of Superboy, Supergirl, and the Legion of Super-Heroes. So swing by booth #1575-#1577 and don’t miss out!

  Hero Initiative’s talent schedule at booth #1575-1577 is as follows:

Thursday, Oct. 11 (hours 3-9)

400-500: Fernando Dagnino and Pere Perez

 

Friday, Oct. 12 (hours 10-7)

230-330: Reilly Brown

430-630: Michael Avon Oeming

 

Saturday, Oct. 13 (hours 10-7)

1100-400: Al Plastino

1230-200: Manuel Garcia and Andres Guinaldo

230-400: Bob Wiacek

430-630: Michael Avon Oeming

 

Sunday, Oct. 14 (hours 10-5)

200-300: Greg Pak

 

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 $500,000 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.

For more information, please visit us at www.heroinitiative.org.

Dare2Draw at NYCC 2012

Press Release:

Come Dare2Draw and “Face-Off” with professionals, hopeful artists and fans, at the 15-minute “Quick Draw” Contest. We’ll be honoring Joe Kubert and helping to raise money for Hero Initiative.

RSVP on Facebook!

*1st Prize: Artograph 12-Inch by 17-Inch Light Pad Light Box
Neal Adams will be our judge, again. Winner will be announced on Twitter and will pick up the prize, on Saturday, at Neal Adams’ table.

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