George Perez talks, we listen

We at The Hero Initiative are fortunate enough to have the mighty George Pérez at our booth at the New York Comic Con, Orlando MegaCon, Wizard World Chicago con and liklely a few other spots this year. George has already released the following via his Website, but also wants to make note here. In addition to Hero Initiative, George has done signings for the American Diabetes Association and other worthy causes, so no matter what, your money's always going to a good place. And for that, we thank George!

Jim McLauchlin


Hello:
Now that I'm back doing conventions again, albeit not as many as I used to, I have been receiving a lot of e-mails regarding commissioned sketches and I need to clarify a few things.

For the last couple of years I've had to institute a "lottery" style system at conventions to manage the large number of fans who want to get a sketch. What's usually done is that, during the first hour of the convention day, I, or an assistant, gives out a ticket stub to anyone who desires a sketch. The other half of the ticket is put into a bowl. After an hour all the tickets are stirred up in the bowl and a small number (usually about 10) are drawn from that bowl. The 10 winners then pay the price for the sketch (which is now $100) and I get those sketches done during the course of the convention day. Please note that all money earned during my convention time goes to charity (usually the Hero Initiative, but this applies to any charity I'm raising money for).

This method seems to have gone over very well in the past couple of years and it gives every fan an even chance, whether he or she is a dealer already on the convention floor before the doors open or a fan waiting on line either at the start of the line or the end (the first hour of the show should be enough time to allow everyone on an average convention line to get into the hall)

Now, due to the extremely hectic nature of a convention and the flattering number of fans who line up for sketches and/or autographs I did have to set up some rules and limitations, which, once explained, I hope you all understand and accept.

1. The first ticket handed out to a customer is free.
However, due to fan requests and past experiences, you can increase your chances at winning a sketch by donating a dollar for each extra ticket you want. The winner would still have to pay the price of the sketch once he or she wins. This was actually a fan's idea, and proved to be both popular and profitable. One fan paid over $70 dollars in tickets, knowing he would then have to pay the price of the sketch as well when he won. Ironically, he didn't win and one other fan actually won with the free ticket he had, not having purchased any extra chances. In a touching gesture, and in the true spirit of charity, the winner with the free ticket gave his ticket to the guy who had paid so much money. Now, that's a side of fandom I love to see, and it's one of the wonderful side benefits of the system I've adopted.

2. Only one win per customer per day.
Again, this was done in the name of fairness to everyone, but also brought about a spontaneous act of charity and camaraderie among the fans when the winners started distributing the rest of their tickets to the other waiting fans, thus increasing the chances of winning for those whose numbers had not yet been drawn. The best side of fandom yet again, and it makes for a nice block party atmosphere. This whole process is repeated every day, so a person can conceivably win more than one sketch if he or she has a winning number on separate days. New tickets are used each day, so preceding days' tickets are void after the day of drawing.

3. You have to be there to win.
Pretty obvious, really, since the tickets only have numbers and no names. However, if you need to leave early and it doesn't look like I will get to your sketch before your departure, shipping arrangements can be made for a nominal fee, unless you or a proxy can pick it up the following day. You don't have to be there while your sketch is being drawn since we will write down your name and the character you want drawn. Just check in from time to time to see where you are on the queue.

4. I can only draw portrait drawings (head shots with chest symbol,
if any), no full figures.
This is an unavoidable limitation due to the number of autographs I need to sign and panels that I am sometimes required to attend during the course of a convention. Also, please, only fictional characters, no portraits of real people. That's more work than I can do under convention conditions

5. I alternate sketching and autographing times.
In order to get sketches done without interruption, I close my table to autographs for an hour or so in order to get some sketches done. Then I open up for about a half hour for autographs and then go back to sketches for another hour and so on. Times will be posted at the table as the day commences and will be determined by the number of fans there and the number of books to be signed. However, even if I am sketching, please feel free to say hello and chat. I can still do both simultaneously.

6. Regarding autographs, I do not charge for autographs but do request donations for charity, especially if I'm being asked to sign a large number of books.
The size of the donation is not monitored by me, but, being the charity shill that I am, I don't really like to hear the sound of coins landing in the jar. Paper money is so much more calming to my nerves-- and helps needy people even more.

7. For those wanting full-figure sketches, all is not lost. I am now doing such sketches through The Artist's Choice (www.theartistschoice.com) and you should be provided with rates and specifics there. The rates are pretty high, but, so far, most buyers feel that they've gotten bang for their buck and my goal is to keep my loyal fanbase happy.

Well, if you've read all this, I commend you for your patience and I thank you for your understanding. Hopefully. I will be able to provide you with a sketch that will meet your heart's desire, either at a con or through the mail. In any case, I appreciate the attention and the consideration and shall always strive to be worthy of it all.

Take care,
GPz

Art good, fire bad!

All,
’Cause we love you soooooooo much, we'll be previewing art for the Hero Initiative New York Comic Con art auction via the mighty ComicArtFans.

Eat it up like pie.

Jim McLauchlin

We're gonna party like it's 2009!

Thursday, Feb. 5, night before the New York Comic Con starts. Dave & Busters, Time Square. Be there!
http://tinyurl.com/djyagt

There will be booze. There will be free gift bags. There will be prizes. Did we mention THERE WILL BE BOOZE?

Again, be there.

Jim McLauchlin

It's On! Hero Initiative Memberships!

And as a new year starts…Hero Initiative memberships start for 2009! They're available in four flavors starting at $29, and each membership gets you a spiffy membership card, an ORIGINAL art sketchcard, and more. Check out our ol' pals at Atomic Comics for full order details.

There will be several as-yet-unannounced bonuses available to members as well, and a cool contest where you can take a pic of yourself with your card and upload it to the Hero Website. The above pic is that of Aaron Duran, he of GeekInTheCity.com, who helped us put the plan together. And it's not just for young bucks like Aaron! Some more "elder statesmen" have joined as well…
Jim McLauchlin

The Hero Initiative is looking for a few good video crews!

The Hero Initiative is on the lookout for production companies/producers/videographers who would be willing to tape Hero events at cons across the country and interview comics professionals.

Companies need to be a top-to-bottom operation. You’ll need to shoot, edit and deliver pro shot materials on your own, with minimal (but critical) direction from The Hero Initiative.

If you’d like to volunteer your time, please submit a resume and/or send us a link to your demo reel.

We are looking for coverage in the following markets:
• Manhattan/Long Island (needed ASAP)
• Columbus, OH (needed ASAP)
• Brighton, MI (50 mi. W of Detroit; needed ASAP)
• Phoenix/Mesa, AZ (for convention 23-25 JAN)
• Orlando, FL (for convention 27 FEB-MAR 1)

Please direct all inquiries, resumes and demos to Brian Pulido at: TalesTold@cox.net

And Hulk 100 at Comic Bug in L.A.!

It's official: NO PARTY IS COMPLETE until you have Hulk balloons!
The Gamma-Boogie crew at The Comic Bug in scenic Manhattan Beach, CA hosted another of our Hulk 100 Project events with SIX stellar artists!Left to right, the above, Joe Benitez (he's there; look close!), Scott Koblish, Aaron Sowd, and Joe Rubinstein.
And above, Joe, Bill Morrison and Tone Rodriguez.

There were snacks, drinks, drawings, books, and torn-up purple pants. Per usual, the Comic Bug crew rolled out the green carpet in inimitable, infectious style.

And if you haven't picked up a copy of The Hulk 100 Project yet, well, you're just an ol' fuddy-duddy.

Jim McLauchlin

P.S. All pics courtesy our pal Scott Ludwig.

Hulk 100 Project at Paradise Comics, Toronto!

Our pals at Paradise Comics in Toronto, Ontario were lucky enough to host one of our Hulk 100 Project launch events! And folks smart enough to show up got some super-cool sketches, such as this beaut above from cover artist Dale Keown!

The whole artist crew on hand was (l-r) Agnes Garbowska, Francis Manapul, Leonard Kirk, and Dale Keown. Thanks much to all!

For those of you wondering what that small, Tribble-like thing is in Anges' lap, it's the real star of the show…
Otis the dog!

And if you haven't picked up a copy of The Hulk 100 Project yet, shame on you. It's mean, green, and gamma-fortified. You can get it in softcover flavor at $10, or limited edition hardcover (only 500 copies made!) at $19.99. Do it today, you'll make Thunderbolt Ross happy.

Jim McLauchlin

The Hero Initiative on Twitter!

Now you can follow The Hero Initiative on Twitter!
You'll see News Stories, Auctions, and other Hero Announcements...

Giving thanks, vol. 2

Last year right ’bout this time, we wrote of a specific Hero Initiative instance where we helped out a certain comic creator. The story rather resonated with folks, and tho’ it’s a year in the past by now, it still has a poignant ring to it, especially so in the “comments” section. Check it out right now if ya want.

I had resolved several months ago to revisit that bit for this year, but play the flip side. I ended that column by thanking, “all who have donated their money, time, effort and energies.” Now we’re perpetually thankful to our board members, our many volunteers, and the myriad stores and convention staffs that help us out. But these are a few other folks who have given of time, effort, and energies above and beyond the call, expecting nothing in return. Hell, they’re not even expecting this li’l shout-out, so forgive them if they blush.

In no particular order:

Graham Crackers Comics (did we mention nine convenient Chicagoland locations?): Convention center drayage is a bitch. Most fans don’t know, but most convention centers charge “drayage fees” for shipping something direct to the convention center. It’s a handling charge The Local Municipality Memorial Center With Or Without Corporate Sponsor tacks on, ’cause you’re using their loading dock and, well…you need your stuff. These fees can easily reach thousands of dollars.
Walk the stuff in yourself, however, and drayage is zero. For Wizard World Chicago, probably our biggest and most profitable fundraising venue, the crew at Graham Crackers Comics has always been kind enough to be our shipping point. We send them the stuff, they store it, they bring it to the con…and they save us perhaps thousands of bucks. It’s added work, but they do it with a smile. When you speak of them, speak well of them.

Lauren Becker at Warp 9 Comics: Shipping is a bitch. Seriously, you can go freakin’ broke on freight if you’re not careful. And shipping companies don’t much care if they’re hauling alternators for Toyotas or medicine to New Orleans after Katrina—it’s all just weight to them. Again, unchecked, this can be a massive expense.
It just so happened that many of the cons Hero did in 2008 were the same as those attended by Warp 9 Comics of Clawson, MI. Lauren Becker of Warp 9 gallantly offered to haul much Hero product between stops so that we wouldn’t have to pay for shipping, and in the process, saved us a lot of bucks. Much appreciated.

Adam Beechen: You might know him as the writer of Countdown, Teen Titans or Robin at DC Comics. I know him as the guy who made Big Sunday big for Hero in 2008.
“Big Sunday” is a citywide community service event in Los Angeles, where over 50,000 people might cook meals at a homeless shelter, lay sod to create a park for kids to play in, or bathe basset hounds at a dog rescue facility to help prep puppies for adoption. Adam ran donation jars to comic stores all over L.A., and helped drum up donations for The Hero Initiative. He did this all on his own; wasn’t even asked. He didn’t pick up the ball and run with it. He created the ball. And he turned an any ol’ Sunday into a great day for us.

Peter Dixon of Paradise Comics: Peter owns a store in Toronto, Paradise Comics, and runs the Paradise Comics Toronto Comicon every year. You might see him on the con circuit in the US, as he’s always on the move, buying and selling books and drumming up guests for his convention. He also contributes generously to Hero, and not just in dough (tho’ he kicks in a lotta that, too). Peter is one of the friendliest faces you’ll ever find, and whenever the booth staff needs a concessions run, Peter’s there with hot dogs and Cokes. When there’s a minor mountain of crap to be packed up at the end of a show, you’ll turn around, and there’s Peter with a tape gun. No matter what need pops up, he’s seemingly always there to fill it, and does so with a smile on his face every time.

Bill Cox, he of the kickass ComicArtFans.com: Hero’s Website hosting happens at a cost to us of zero. In going through cost line-items (see: drayage, shipping, etc.) the more you can eliminate, the more you have left for genuine “program services.” Bill takes care of our Web needs, with ZERO problems, delays, or tech fubars of any sort, and allows us instant and worldwide communication at the low, low price of “free.”

The secret Marvel triumvirate of Tim Dillon, Jon Ennis and Mike Pasciullo: A lot—lot, lot, lot, lot, LOT—of the nickels we’ve been able to put in the coffers over that last year have been generated through programs with Marvel Comics. No matter if it’s The Hulk 100 Project, the Mike Wieringo What If? book, or a Marvel Apes variant cover, there are print dates to hit, shipping to manage, approvals to be met and paperwork to be completed. And the stealth crew who help us with this at Marvel are Dillon, Ennis and Pasciullo. Their names don’t scream at you from the credits of your favorite comics, and I’ve never—thankfully—seen them in spandex, but trust me: They’re the unseen glue that holds a lot together at Marvel, and their work is much appreciated.

A couple things occur to me as I quickly review this list. First, I now understand “The Stan Lee Answer.” You know how it is: Someone will ask Stan who his favorite artist to work with was, and he’ll say to the effect of “Oh, they’re all my favorites.” It’s tough to single out anyone, and you ALWAYS run the risk of forgetting someone you shoulda mentioned. As I’ve probably done here. So hey—if you’re reading and I’ve neglected to mention you, all apologies. You’re all my favorites, okay?

Secondly, as I do some (almost) year-end accounting, it looks like we’ve been able to disburse another $81,000+ to a number of comic creators in medical or financial need so far in 2008…and the year ain’t over yet. Some, such as Gene Colan, Josh Medors, or Scott Rosema, you’ve very likely heard about. Others wish to keep their private business private, and we respect those wishes. But I know they’re ALL thankful.

And that itself is something to be thankful for.

Jim McLauchlin

DOUBLE-signed and numbered

A nice bonus for folks ordering the Stan’s Soapbox: The Collection signed-and-numbered limited edition hardcover. It ain’t just signed by Stan Lee. It’ll also be signed by John Romita Sr.

John was kind enough to give us use of this GREAT Stan drawing he did, which will be placed inside the front cover of all 100 signed-and-numbered copies. BOTH Stan and John will sign.

And yes, Virginia, that’s 100 copies, moving fast. If you’ve already reserved yours…you’re a smart cookie! If not, may I suggest you immediately truck over here to grab one? Hey, I just did!

Jim McLauchlin

Last three Hulks Nov. 3

Cully Hamner.
Ed McGuinness.
Plus this beaut above from the team of Joe Quesada, Danny Miki, and Richard Isanove.
Plus one wonky surprise.

All via eBay.

Jim McLauchlin

HP Employees can be heroes too!

Be a hero for The Hero Initiative and sign up beginning Nov. 3rd, 2008 for the HP Charitable Giving Campaign and have HP match your cash donations to the Hero Initiative up to $1,000 annually.

The details look like this:

1) Cash matching is available to U.S. employees on a first-come, first-served basis AND only during the annual Charitable Giving Campaign (Nov1) until HP has met it’s $1,000,000 campaign commitment
2) Pledges are matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000 per employee per fiscal year
3) Cash pledging is ONLY available online at www.GivingStation.com/hp
4) Employee and match funds are distributed quarterly
5) Tax receipts are not available on the GivingStation because neither the GivingStation nor HP are charities. However, both organizations combined do provide sufficient information for gifts made via payroll. Use your GivingStation Pledge Confirmation and your HP Earnings Statement. HP instructs charities to receipt employees directly upon every distribution.

The process for donating cash looks like this:

1) Log in to www.GivingStation.com/hp
2) Click “Donate” in the lower left corner of the page
3) Click the “Charity Search” URL
4) Enter “Hero Initiative” in the “Charity Name” field
5) Once presented with the results, select “Hero Initiative” and look for your charity to appear in the right hand “Selected Charities” basket
6) Click “Next Step”
7) Enter pledge details
a. Pay types include: Credit Card, One-time payroll, On-going payroll, and Direct to Charity
b. ALL payroll gifts pledged during Campaign will begin deduction in January and distributed with Q1
c. Campaign Credit Card gifts will be charged within 24 hours and distributed in December
d. Anonymous gifts CANNOT be receipted
e. GivingStation calculates your available match amount
8) Review and submit your pledge
9) Print and retain your pledge confirmation for your records

The Hero Initiative thanks you for your support!

Hulk Smash Bigger Book!

Good news, Green-o-philes! The Hulk 100 Project, originally advertised and solicited at 128 pages, was full to burstin', so we upped it a tad to 136 pages! And it's still the same ol' $10.

A few extra pages have allowed us to add a couple things as well, including…
• An intro from veteran—and that's putting it mildly!—Incredible Hulk writerPeter David; and
• A real-science explanation of how Bruce Banner's pants stay on when he Hulks out from Dr. James Kakalios, author of The Physics of Superheroes

If you don't truck to your favorite comic store immediately and reserve a copy, well…then you're just a fuddy-duddy.

Jim McLauchlin

Final Hulks…on/about Nov. 3

We have only three original Hulk covers left, and will be looking to auction ’em off (along with what I believe will be an unexpected surprise!) on or about November 3. Meantime, whet your appitites on two of the three remaining, from Erudite Ed McGuinness, and Captivating Cully Hamner!

Jim McLauchlin

Three things!

Phil Hester will be Hero's special guest at the upcoming Wizard World Texas con, and you can get a super-cool Hester-drawn Darkness #7 WWTX exclusive at the con. More info here.

The guys at Mid-Ohio con are about he nicest folks you'll find. There's an auction of post-con stuff now benefiting both The Hero Initiative and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Eat it up like candy. For it is sweet.

Our pals at MySpace have a preview of our soon-to-be-famous Stan's Soapbox: The Collection book, featuring Paul Dini's comments on Stan The Man. The book is in-stores 19 NOV, and if you haven't reserved your copy yet, you may be shut out. Fairly warned be thee…

Jim McLauchlin

Stan's Soapbox, now in hardcover flavor

Stan's Soapbox: The Collection, our 144-page tome collecting ALL Stan Lee's kickass "Soapboxes" from 1967-1980, will be in stores on November 19. It's available in softcover at $14.99.

Or, if you're more of a hardcover nature, please be advised: A special limited edition hardcover will be available at $35 as well. The hardcover is limited to ONLY 250 copies, so we suggest you preorder NOW at Atomic Comics. Or if ya like your books signed, a mere 100 of the 250 hardcovers will be available autographed by Stan the Man himself at $99 per. Eat ’em up like candy.

Jim McLauchlin

Art Parade

Collector Ron Sonenthal walked away with this super-cool Cameron Stewart-Darwyn Cooke-David Bullock Wonder Woman-Bats-and-Supes piece as part of one of our auctions at San Diego Comic Con this year. Moral to the story: You oughtta bid in our auctions.

Jim McLauchlin

New Hulks via Marvel and CBR

Late-arriving covers available at Marvel's website here.

And at Comic Book Resources here.

After you scope these, there are approximately four left out there unseen by human eyes. They'll be a-’comin.

There are approximately 20 left unsold. Oh, what the heck—let's auction five of them right now.

For those of you scoring at home, the beauty above is by Craig Hamilton, and is up for auction now.

Jim McLauchlin

Monkey, monkey, monkey!

The fine folks at Marvel Comics have allowed us access to this great Mike Wieringo Daregorilla cover, which has been inked up by Karl Kesel and colorized by Tom Smith. It's now a Hero-exclusive variant on Marvel Apes #1. It's limited to only 3000 copies, and available right freakin' now at Atomic Comics. Go grab one if you're feeling simian.


Jim McLauchlin

Easy Money! (For Hero…)

I shop at Ralphs when I get groceries. Just do. Started eight years ago when I moved to sunny L.A., and I’ve been a loyalist ever since (okay, I do hit a Trader Joe’s once in a while as well…). But anyway:

One supercool thing about Ralphs is the Ralphs Rewards card. It’s your standard grocery store “club card” that gets you discounts and whatnot. But you can ALSO register it with a Ralphs-approved charity, and EVERY time you shop and use the card, Ralphs will kick in a small percentage to the charity of your choice. It costs you, the consumer, NOTHING. It’s just Ralphs kicking in a couple bucks to good causes. See where I’m going with this?

Yes, The Hero Initiative is one of those Ralphs-approved charities, and since Ralphs just switched over from Ralphs Club cards to Ralphs Rewards, we need YOU to re-register your card for Hero, which is easy as pie (tho’ not quite as tasty):

1) Hit the link at:
http://www5.kroger.com/EnterpriseLoyaltyWeb/crenrollment?divId=703

2) Enter our NPO # (non-profit organization #), which is 80680. It’s under our corporate name, “A Commitment To Our Roots.” It’s okay, don’t let that throw ya!

3) Fill out the rest of your info.

4) Now go get a pie.

Seriously, folks, if you do this once, we get a few nickels every time you shop, and multiplied by a San Diego Comic-Con full of people, it’s the best, easiest way we’ve found to raise funds. Totally painless. And hot dammit, you need bologna and Q-Tips anyway!

That’s that. You can do this anytime—I suggest right now!—but the official changeover from Ralphs Club to Ralphs Rewards happens Sep. 1, and the rolls get cleared, and we go back down to ZERO participants unless you sign up. You can do it now and it WILL be in effect for Sep. 1. So do it today, and enjoy that pie!

This applies to Ralphs, Foods Co. and Food 4 Less stores in Southern California, Nevada, Illinois, and Indiana. So if you’re in those necks of those woods, hop to it. I thank you kindly.

Jim McLauchlin