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