Press Release: Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that raises money for comic creators in need, is proud to announce its attendance at Dragon*Con over labor day weekend, September 2nd through 5th in Atlanta, Georgia. Hero will be located at Booth #BT23.

Hero’s special guests include world-renown artists Steve Dillon and George Pérez. Dillon is the artist of the critically acclaimed Preacher and Wolverine: Origin. Pérez, the longtime artist of New Teen Titans and Avengers, is also writing the relaunched Superman for DC Comics, which starts in September. Both have generously committed their time to raise money for Hero Initiative at Dragon*Con, so stop by booth BT23 and be the lucky recipient of a sketch or signature while contributing to a wonderful cause.

Captain America writer/artist Karl Kesel will also be at the Hero booth on Sunday. While you are getting a coveted sketch ask our helpful volunteers about becoming a Hero Initiative member! Do It!

Press Release: 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 24th-26th, at the Albuquerque Convention Center, located in historic downtown Albuquerque at 401 2nd 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!

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

Hero Initiative will be at the 8th annual Emerald City Comic Con, March 13-14 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Wash. Hero will have a star-studded guest list throughout the weekend, and a membership party at Ruth’s Chris Steak House at the Grand Hyatt Downtown Saturday night featuring artist Tim Sale. All proceeds will benefit Hero Initiative, a non-profit organization helping comic creators in need.

Fans who become new members of Hero Initiative on Saturday at the con will receive tickets to our Member Appreciation party. The party will be held from 10-11 pm at Ruth’s Chris Bar and Grill located at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Existing members, bring your membership cards for entry! At the party Tim Sale will be drawing “Colorful Characters of Marvel,” three-minute sketches at only $20 each, one per customer! There are only 10 slots available, so get to the Hero booth early on Saturday to reserve yours. They are sold on a first come, first served basis.

And the mayor of Seattle has put together a proclamation for the Seattle born-and-bred Tim Sale in recognition of his success in the comic book industry and his dedication in helping Hero Initiative. The presentation will be made at the party, so become a member so you can help celebrate!

"Wow, how cool is this? Even though I live in Los Angeles now, in many ways Seattle will always be my home town, and it's very thrilling to be honored by the city in this way,” said Sale. “I hope I can be worthy, and that everyone comes to the Emerald City Comic Con and enjoys themselves!"

Hero Initiative booth schedule:

Saturday, March 13:

1000-1130: Phil Hester

1130-100: Barry Kitson + Tim Sale

100-230: Whilce Portacio

230-400: Jeff Parker

Sunday, March 14:

1000-1200: Matt Haley

1200-100: Steve Lieber

100-200: Alan Porter

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.

Southern Cal may be cooling off, but Hero Initiative is on fire and bringing back the heat at the first Long Beach’s Comic Con, October 2-4 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

First up: It’s been a labor of love and shipping, but we have at long last assembled our 100 original Wolverine: Weapon X #1 covers and invite you to…The Danger Room! This first and ONLY viewing of 100+ original covers happens Friday, Oct. 2 at 5 PM at the con, room 204. Admission is a mere $5, $3 if you come in an X-Men costume or FREE if you show up dressed as Wolverine himself. Admission gets you one free raffle ticket to win a KICKASS (but empty!) wine bottle crafted by the amazing Karlton Hahn of Xena Etched Graphics. You can increase your chances by buying more raffle tickets on site. Our friends from The Comic Bug will be on hand as well to spoil you with coupons and stuff. This will be your ONLY chance to see all 100+ covers in living color and all their glory. ‘Til the book comes out in November, that is. And when will the covers be up for auction? Check eBay.com in late October!

Next up, Hero Initiative is proud to feature an exclusive Wolverine print by amazing artist J. Scott Campbell and the talented colorist Christina Strain. There are only 100 made, and they’ll be available for $20 each only at the Hero Initiative booth, #349, while supplies last. You can even get your print signed by BOTH Campbell and Strain, as they’ll be appearing at the Hero booth on Saturday between 11am-12pm.

In addition, Stan Lee has graciously agreed to do a limited meet-and-greet session with a few select fans. There are only TEN availabilities to this session available via Hero Initiative. Five more guest of the Long Beach Comic Con will also be in attendance. You can get a picture with Stan, and you’ll also be able to get TWO Stan Lee autographs at this event on YOUR items of YOUR choice! Go to:

http://shop.ebay.com/heroinitiative/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

Lastly, while you are at the Hero Booth you can renew your Hero Initiative membership! 2009 marked the first year ever for Hero Initiative memberships, and for 2010, we’ve revamped with more and better premiums! You can get full information at the booth or order today at http://www.heroinitiative.org or http://www.heroinitiative.org/2010members. Old Members, remember to bring your membership card to claim a 10% discount!

And the first 50 members to sign up will also get a bonus gift card from Sideshow Collectibles worth a random amount from $10 to $50 at SideshowCollectibles.com. Check it out!!

And of course, to really set the house on fire, our amazing line up:

FRI., 02 OCT (HOURS 300 AM-700 PM)
330-500: Scott Koblish
[500-730: 100 Wolverines party, room 204]

SAT., 03 OCT (HOURS 1000 AM-600 PM)
1000-1100: Brian Haberlin + Philip Tan
1100-1200: J. Scott Campbell + Christina Strain
1230-230: The Rev. Dave Johnson
430-530: Whilce Portacio

SUN., 04 OCT (HOURS 1000 AM-500 PM)
1030-1200: Norm Rapmund
1200-130: The Rev. Dave Johnson
200-300: Joe Benitez
300-430: Derek Fridolfs

For more information on the Long Beach Comic Con, visit http://www.longbeachcomiccon.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 http://www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.