Hero InitiativeMedia Release -- Hero Initiative, the non-profit organization that helps comic creators in financial and medical need, is proud to announce its attendance at Long Beach Comic and Horror Con, October 29th and 30th at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California. Hero will be hosting Eisner Award-winning writer/artist Darwyn Cooke, best known for his work on comics such as Catwoman, DC: The New Frontier, The Spirit and Richard Stark's Parker.

And IDW Publishing's Parker: The Martini Edition will be making its world premiere at the convention as well! This will be your first chance EVER to pick up a copy, and get it signed by the master himself! In addition, Hero Initiative will have Darwyn Cooke con-exclusive merchandise so make sure you make it to our booth, #213, and be a Hero by supporting our great cause!

And that's not all! Legendary moviemaker John Carpenter, known for Halloween, Escape from New York, and They Live, will be doing his ONLY signing of the convention for Hero Initiative as well! John has generously agreed to autograph 250 items only. Signature vouchers will be available at the Hero Initiative booth Saturday morning, limit ONE per person, at $5 each. John will then sign at booth #913 at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Don't miss out!

And if you like free stuff, well…you can get a FREE Ultimate Spider-Man #100 Project softcover or Transmetropolitan: All Around the World hardcover if you sign up your Ralphs Rewards card for Hero at our booth, OR drop off your old printer cartridges, cell phones or small electronics for us to redeem with Funding Factory. Please note you MUST bring your Ralphs Rewards card with you—we cannot sign you up with your phone number alone!

To find out more about Hero Initiative, check out our YouTube videos, including our most recent video featuring creators we've helped with support from people like you!

http://www.youtube.com/user/heroinitiative

Hero Initiative's booth schedule (booth #213):

SAT., Oct. 29 (con hours 10-7)
1030-1130: Gerry Conway
1030-1230: Jon Bogdanove
1100-100: Darwyn Cooke
130-230: Marv Wolfman
230-330: Mark Waid

SUN., Oct. 30 (con hours 10-5)
1030-1130: Albert Morales
1130-1230: Darwyn Cooke
1230-230: Mike McKone
230-430: Darwyn Cooke

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 $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.