Sorry, Tina Turner fans. (All 2 of you out there). But Mad Max jokes aside, if you haven’t heard of HERO, you should. If you’ve ever enjoyed reading comics, whether a casual fan or an insanely rabid die-hard collector, you can give something back to the creators who helped start it all.
“Because everyone deserves a Golden Age.” That’s the motto plastered on the top of HERO’s website, and with good reason. The not for profit group (formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) is dedicated to helping comic creators in need. Since its inception in late 2000, HERO has disbursed over $250,000 to over 40 creators and their families.
Reaction to HERO within the industry has been extremely positive, says HERO’s Jim McLauchlin. “I think we’re in a very ‘affinity-based’ business. People who work in comics generally like comics, and I think their natural reaction is to want to lend a helping hand.”
Comic fans can make donations directly to the organization through their website, but various fundraisers can really help bring in the funds, as well as offer creators a chance to donate their talent. Various sketchbooks, collections, hardcovers and more are available for purchase at various conventions and through their Website. With Marvel Comics, HERO recently completed its Ultimate Spider-Man 100 Project, a collection of 100 cover sketches by today’s top talent including Mark Bagley, J. Scott Campbell, Frank Cho, Neil Gaiman, Adam and Andy Kubert, George Perez, Joe Quesada and more. The original art sold for over $6,500, and now through Dynamic Forces, HERO is offering trade3 Minute Sketchbook paperback and hardcover collections of all 100 covers. Expect 1 of these types of projects every year with Marvel, according to McLauchlin.
With San Diego Comic-Con starting this week and convention season hitting full steam, expect a ton of fundraisers. “At San Diego, we have no fewer than 26 creators rotatng thru the booth to do sigings and sketches,” adds McLauchlin. “Also, the Marvel vs. DC softball game, where you can win a spot on the team of your choice. Wizard World Chicago is the debut of the Ultimate Spider-Man #100 Project book, and we’ll have signings with the creators there who contributed: Arthur Suydam, Joe Quesada, Michael Golden, Jim Valentino, Scott Campbell, Francis Manapul, Joe Benitez, Jim Starlin and Matt Wagner. Also, Paul Jenkins will be there doing bizarre stuff. Bizarre.”
Later in the Summer, look for another huge “secret” project from HERO. “The 3-minute Sketchbook event will be at Secret Headquarters on August 31. Secret Headquarters is an art gallery/comic store hybrid in L.A. where we’ll be debuting over 100 sketches done by artists in thee minutes or less, launching The 3-minute Sketchbook.”
If you’re looking to volunteer for HERO and offer your talents to a good cause, you can start by contacting volunteer coordinator Kevin Brogan at kbrogan@heroinitiative.org for more information.
