Media Release -- Los Angeles, CA (April 27, 2009): Hero Initiative is proud to announce a unique fundraising partnership with Southern California comic stores on Saturday, May 2nd for Free Comic Book Day, and Los Angeles’ “Big Sunday” on May 3. Three comic stores in Southern California will donate proceeds directly to Hero Initiative from signings and drawings by featured creators. In addition, the local comic stores will host community events and distribute free comic books as part of the national celebration. Local celebrations on Saturday, May 2nd include:
Collector’s Paradise, 7131 Winnetka Ave, Winnetka California
www.comicsandcards.net/fcbd-herobenefit.html
A signing will be held between 12pm and 3:00pm attended by:
· Mark Waid (Amazing Spider-Man)
· Marc Guggenheim (Amazing Spider-Man)
· Jim Mahfood (40-oz. Comics)
· Mike Kunkel (Billy Baston and the Power of Shazam!)
· Joe Benitez (Justice League of America)
· David Wohl (Witchblade)
· JT Krul (Fathom)
In addition, eBay auctions of original art donated to Hero will start May 2nd at: http://qurls.com?i=47481
And a professional photographer will take picture of you and your favorite artist or Comic Book Hero at Collector’s Paradise with all proceeds donated to Hero Initiative.
Finally, you can bring your Ralphs Rewards grocery store card to Collector’s Paradise to sign it up for Hero on Ralphs Community Contribution program OR sign up for a new card and get a FREE copy of Hero’s What If This Was the Fantastic Four?
Meltdown Comics, 7522 West Sunset, Los Angeles CA
Artist Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween) will be in attendance on Hero’s behalf from noon-2 PM and will do sketches on the inside cover of books for $20, and Hero sketchcards for $10.
Four Color Fantasies, 7172 Archibald Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Original art auctions will benefit Hero Initiative, and there will be character appearances by Batman and Robin, Superman, and the Star Wars 501st legion. Drawing contests, face paining and free food and fun for the whole family will also be included. Some of the many featured artists to appear include:
· Todd Nauck (Amazing Spider-Man)
· Danny Miki (Amazing Spider-Man)
· Norm Rapmund (Infinite Crisis)
· Allen Martinez (Iron Man)
And on Sunday, May 3, Los Angeles’ all-inclusive charity event known as Big Sunday will also benefit Hero Initiative with “Change for Change” at many of its most-attended sites. Volunteers for Change for Change will be asking people to donate their loose change to Hero. Check out www.bigsunday.org for locations and events
“Big Sunday benefits literally hundreds of thousands of people every year, and speaking as a comic professional, I’m incredibly grateful our creative community is included among those the event helps out!” said Robin writer and Big Sunday coordinator Adam Beechen.
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.
