Hero Gamer Usebars and Message Board Sigs!

Hero Initiative message board "signatures" or Gamer Userbars can now be downloaded at:

http://www.heroinitiative.org/images/Body/LinkBanners/HeroCard_340x40.jpg
http://www.heroinitiative.org/images/Body/LinkBanners/hero_userbar.gif

They're small, unobtrusive, calorie-free, and help spread the word about Hero if you use ’em and link to:
www.HeroInitiative.org

If you have questions, please don't ask me. I'm half a step above a caveman. Contact Dauntless Derek Thorson at:
derek.thorson@gmail.com

Thanks!

Jim McLauchlin

Well another HeroesCon has come and gone and as always we have to thank Shelton and Dustin for donating space and helping the Hero Initiative for have a fantastic show and helping us raise money for a great cause. If it wasn’t for convention organizers like Shelton we couldn’t do this so thank you so very much.

Now on to the news!

First off we had some of the greatest artists pay a visit to the booth including Ron Wilson, Matt Wagner, Steve Epting (who was a little under the weather) and none other than Darwyn Cooke. All of these artists donated there time at the show and helped us raise money so I just want to say a big thank you to all. Also without the help of our many volunteers this would also be impossible. So thanks to Tony, Lynette, Susan, Gary and Chris for helping us have a great show.

We also released the ne Mike Wieringo What If tribute book and if you don’t have a copy yet you really need to pick it up. This is about what if this was the Fantastic Four team and the artwork is rather spectacular. Shelton and Todd Dezago even put together a tribute party for Mike at the Fuel restaurant across the street from the convention just so a few friends could get together and tell a few stories and just remember Mike the way he would have wanted us to. We also had an art auction and auctioned off a few pieces of the artwork from the What If book and we should be auctioning the rest at a future date but the artwork was just mind boggling.

We did have one little snafu we were almost arrested for what I guess would be solicitation since we didn’t realize we were doing our auction on private property and we were told to stop what we were doing because it was illegal. Now of course Todd didn’t help much here because he kept saying “The Man is here to take us away” so of course it’s hard to talk when you are laughing at Todd. But we did get it figured out and continued with the auction which was a huge success.

Then Saturday we had one of two 13-man signings at the Hero Booth and we had some where in the neighborhood of 200 people standing in line that stretched all of the way to the entrance and we got all of them through the line in about 55 minutes so thanks to everyone one involved including my great set of volunteers that helped run everything so smoothly.

While they were running the 13-Man signing at the booth I had the pleasure of running up stairs to a panel where Mr. Van Allen Plexico editor of the book Avengers Assemble published by White Rocket Books was there to present a check for $1200.00 to me for the Hero Initiative fund. This was the proceeds from the sell of this book which you can pick up at Barnes and Noble or online at Amazon.com. This book covers 5 decades of the world mightiest heroes and just my opinion is a great read.
So the show was a great success and I am already looking forward to next year.

Thanks

And no, actually, it didn't rain.

Just back from the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, where a splendid time was had by all! The folks who put the con on truly care, and it shows. They treat the talent there as good as anywhere I've seen, and that warmth radiates back to the fans. If you get a chance next year, I recommend you go—and if you do, take the Underground tour as well. It is super-cool.

Things were thronged pretty much all weekend, such as when Bill Willingham was in attendance to do some sketches (Hero volunteer Paris in background).

Things got especially busy when Mighty Mike Oeming swung by on Sunday afternoon to arm-wrestle the crowd. For $20, you could challenge Mike. If you won, you got your choice of ANY original Powers page Mike had brought to the con with him! Even if you lost, you got a super-swell autographed Mice Templar print. Skottie Young sketches in the foreground here, and note the spiffy 1969 Jim Bouton Seattle Pilots replica jersey sported by yours truly:
Oeming took on all comers, including the Queen of Hearts:

And big, burly, Seattle-looking guys:

Mike took on 20 opponents, and went 14 wins, five losses and one tie. Last year, he REALLY cleaned up, but this year, folks came back looking for revenge. Seriously. There were guys who were still pissed from last year that Mike beat ’em.

And of course, the first 50 of our Hulk #1 covers were on display. See:
http://heroinitiative.org/NewsDetail.asp?NewsId=118
for full info, and take note: ALL 100 WILL BE ON DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST (AND ONLY) time at Wizard World Chicago this year, June 26-29.
Special steel-belted radial thanks to the writers and artists who showed up to help us: Whilce Portacio, Skottie Young, Mike Oeming, Karl Kesel, Jimmy Cheung, Matt Haley, Gail Simone, Bill Willingham, Dan DiDio, Mike Choi and Jeff Parker.

And above all, thanks to the volunteers who worked their butts off to keep me sane: Brian, Paris, and Chris.

All photos by our photo-buddy, Gabe.

And no, it didn't rain the whole time we were there.

Jim McLauchlin

Mike Wieringo book: 20/25 JUN

Casey Jones has penciled the final page to be completed for June's What If? The Fantastic Four Tribute to Mike Wieringo. That makes the final creative lineup (I think!) Mike Wieringo, Jeff Parker, Art Adams, Paul Renaud, Stuart Immonen, Cully Hamner, Alan Davis, Casey Jones, David Williams, Sanford Greene, Humberto Ramos, Skottie Young, Mike Allred, Barry Kitson, Paul Mounts, Val Staples, Nate Piekos and Nathan Massengill. The 48-page book will feature the 27-page What If? story that Mike started before his untimely passing, and additional tributes from some of his many friends.

It's a June-solicited book, which will first be available at Heroescon in Charlotte, NC June 20-22. It's be in stores the Wednesday after, June 25. There are 11 participants in the book who will be at Heroescon, so look for a massive, 11-man signing opportunity as well.

Jim McLauchlin

A Tad More on FOOG, TOO!

Just for the sake of posterity, I figured I'd show a bit of the design work that was going into FOOG, TOO! (Or Friends Of Ol' Gerber, Too!). We were looking to do a few fundraising items under the FOOG, TOO! banner that would help Ol' Gerber in his convalescence, and be some nice general items for The Hero Initiative as well. These were two prototypes for FOOG, TOO! buttons.

FOOG, TOO! was, of course, scuttled when Steve passed away. It was, of course, being done hand-in-hand with Steve. I show these now only on the advice and consent of Mary Skrenes, Steve's longtime friend and writing partner. Just figured it would be a crying shame if these designs never saw the light of day.

All design work was being done de nada by Kathleen and Dana, the fine, fine folks at Fishbrain Graphic Design. Their Website is HireFishbrain.com, and yes, you should.

Jim McLauchlin

2nd Annual Hero Bowlathon Video Link....

Okay if you have problems with the other link to view the bowlathon video please try this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXYvOG3NmOA

Chris

2nd Annual Hero Bowlathon @ MegaCon

Well I believe there was fun for everyone and I believe Tex had more than most. I have pictures of all of the winners listed below and also a link to a short video on my You Tube site. Below you will see the artwork each person won plus we had a raffle drawing for other prizes as well.

I want to say thanks to everyone for coming out and helping us raise a little money and a big thanks to the talent that showed up Chris (Kingpin) Moreno and Mark (The Rocket) Texeira and man can these guys bowl I think they should quit their day jobs and hit the PBA tour and maybe not I love their artwork way to much.

I believe everyone had their fill of bowling and pizza so hopefully we can do this again and make it bigger and better next year. So who wants to take me on?

Women 18 and older winner with artist J.M. Linsner

Men 18 and older winner with Amanda Conner.

This is the winner of the 18 and younger title Tyler Kordos with Stan Sakai.

Here is a picture of the entire crew well at least what is left of them.

When I say there wasn't much left I mean it.

Hope everyone had as much fun as I did and I look forward to seeing you all in the near future at another convention soon. Below is a link to my You Tube site where you can veiw the video from the bowling.

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=genfan1

Chris (The Bowler) Klamer

Lunches, Sketches, and Duckies, oh my!

The Hero Initiative booth proved to be *the* place to be at this year’s MegaCon in Orlando! With nothing but the best in top notch talent, fun events, and tons of new merchandise, the booth was busy from open to close.

On Friday, lucky fans who had won eBay lunch auctions had the privilege to sit down one-on-one with Stan Sakai, Joseph Michael Linsner, Dick Giordano, Chuck Dixon, and John Romita, Jr. These artists were all happy to meet with their fans, chat over tasty turkey wrap lookin-things, and sketch the fan’s choice of characters as a memento of the occasion. On the convention floor, the booth hosted Josh Blaylock, Jeremy Dale, Tone Rodriguez, and Chris Moreno, with a surprise visit from George Perez, who stopped by after his wife Carol’s belly-dancing class.


Joseph Michael Linsner with fan


Stan Sakai with fan


Chuck Dixon with fan


Dick Giordano with fan


John Romita, Jr. with fan and sketch


George Perez surprises everyone with a visit after Carol's class!

On Friday, Joe Quesada, Editor In Chief of Marvel Comics, a Hero Initative Board Member, the conventions’ Guest Of Honor, and all-around cool guy, was honored by receiving the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando's prestigious Sun Award. The honor, given to those "dedicated individuals who have contributed to the enrichment and overall growth of the region's culture, community outreach and economic, development," ranks as one of the institution's highest honors. On Saturday, the accolades continued as he was the recipient of a proclamation by the Mayor of Orlando, Buddy Dyer, who declared that March 8th would be known as Joe Quesada Day in honor of his work with charities such as the Hero Initiative!


Joe Quesada receiving his Sun Award

Friday night brought the second annual Hero Initiative Bowl-A-Thon, and the good times had by all guaranteed that this event will become a tradition at MegaCon. Chris Moreno, Mark Texiera, and others joined fans in an evening of bowling, pizza, and beer. While a few lucky fans took home sketches, signed books, or a bowling pin signed by convention attendee artists, everyone took home an evening of fun bowling side by side with their favorite artists and creators.


YAY BOWLING!

Saturday saw record crowds at the convention center, and most of the attendees stopped by to visit with Joe Quesada, Jeremy Dale, Josh Blaylock, Gary Friedrich, Herb Trimpe, Tone Rodriguez, and Chris Moreno. The fun continued into the afternoon, which found fans eagerly awaiting a signature or a sketch from John Romita, Jr. Also that afternoon, fans were only too happy to try and dunk Derek Donovan and Joe Quesada in the Hero Initiative dunk tank. Both of them took the plunge several times while they were in the tank! Fans able to dunk the artists were rewarded with their choice of a one-of-a-kind rubber duckie, personalized by an artist in attendance at the Con. Everyone who attempted to dunk the artists took home a variant cover Fantastic Four comic, provided by the Coliseum of Comics.


Joe Quesada bravely awaits his fate....


and emerges sopping wet after the first fan dunks him!


A host of one-of-a-kind duckies awaited fans who dunked Joe or Derek!

Sunday wrapped up the fun by making the Hero booth the hotspot of the convention floor. Joe Quesada, John Romita, Jr., and George Perez (in another surprise appearance) entertained fans throughout the morning, and then they made room for Adam Kubert, David Finch, Steve McNiven, Sanford Greene, Nathan Massengill, Josh Blaylock, and Jeremy Dale to finish out the afternoon.


John Romita Jr. signs for one of his fans...


and is all smiles for the camera!


David Finch does a sketch for a lucky fan


Adam Kubert is hard at work sketching for his fans.


A few of Adam's sketches in progress

Hot selling items at this convention were the brand-new 3-Minute Sketchbook and the Atomic Comics’ Hero Exclusive Cover for Red Hulk. Fans were also able to view two of Mike Weiringo’s final pages which were graciously loaned to Hero, as well as those same pages inked, as a special preview to the What If? Book ‘Ringo was working on at the time of his passing. Several artists donated their time and energy to finish the book in tribute. Marvel has donated the book to Hero Initiative, and it will be sold at its completion to benefit the charity.


One of 'Ringo's pages, inked and ready to go!

The other hot item this year was the first of the Hulk 100 Project covers, which were also on display. Fans will remember the Ultimate Spider-Man 100 Project last year, which met with such success that we’re doing it all over again with the Hulk! Did you miss out on the opportunity to own one of the one-of-a-kind Spider-Man covers? Not to worry, after all the books are collected, they will be scanned and compiled in a book similar to the Spider-Man covers, and then you’ll be able to bid on your favorite at upcoming conventions and on eBay. Keep your eyes peeled for the announcement, which will be made on www.heroinitiative.org!


A few of the Hulk covers that we had on display!

As a reminder, several artists collect donations for HERO at their booth throughout the year. So when you see some of them collecting for token autographs or sketches please donate graciously. Special thanks to Greg Horn who turned in his take of better than $1000 for 2007, and Arthur Suydam who accepted donations at his table for Hero as well. Greg Horn and Arthur Suydam are two of Hero Initiative's HEROES. Please thank them when you see them at the next Con.


Thanks to Arthur Suydam for his donation!

With that, we move onward to the next big event.. Wizard World LA!

Yay for comics!
Tabitha
& Kevin

What we did on spring break

MegaCon 2008 rather kicked ass, and thanks to all our volunteers and the many writers and artists who helped out! You'll be reading a LOT more in the days to come, but in the interim, a few clips:

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=149545

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=149466

http://comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=13291

Jim McLauchlin

Of Steve Gerber, Frank Cho, and Ducks With Pants

So a story relayed to me by Steve Gerber, about a month or two before he unfortunately passed away:

Steve, of course, was having ongoing lung problems, which made it difficult to work. Hero had stepped in and helped Steve with some bills from time to time, and even helped him land a paying gig writing a five-minute cartoon short. Josue Justiano, the artist working with Steve on Countdown to Mystery, also knew of Steve’s health problems, of course. Josue floated the notion to Steve that perhaps he would give Steve some of his original art, and Steve could sell it, auction it off, or whatever to make a buck. Steve’s answer:

“That’s great for me. But what about the next guy?”

To me, this illustrates one helluva lot about Steve’s character. Of course Steve had needs. He was no dummy; he knew it! But he was even more concerned about “the next guy.” Whoever that next guy was.

So it was with alla that in mind that we concocted FOOG, TOO! or “Friends Of Ol’ Gerber,” too. (Your miraculous Interweb will tell you all you wanna know about the original FOOG if ya wanna look it up.) We were gonna create several Gerber-centric products under the FOOG, TOO! banner that would help fund Hero (and thereby, also help Steve out financially in his convalescence). The first outta the gate was scheduled to be this super-cool Frank Cho Howard-and-Beverly print seen here. Working with our pals at Marvel, we got some new Frank Cho/Jason Keith art, and got these suckers printed up. Frank and Steve were slated to sign ’em, and ¡voila! Instant fundraiser product.

So here’s irony, coincidence, “the universe knows something” or whatever. Steve passed away in the evening of Feb. 10. These arrived in Las Vegas for Steve’s signature the morning of Feb. 11.

The good news: We’ll have both unsigned and Cho-signed prints available for sale starting at the Orlando MegaCon, March 7-9, and throughout the rest of the con season. They’re also available via AtomicComics.com. Pick one up if you’re of the mind. I think and hope that’s what Gerber woulda wanted. There is, after all, “the next guy.”

More on FOOG, TOO later.

Jim McLauchlin

Joe Quesada is all wet

UPDATE: Auction is running, cats and kids!
http://qurls.com?i=33259

Check out the blog entry from 08 FEB. Our first vict…er…"volunteer" for the soon-to-be-famous Orlando MegaCon dunk tank is none other than Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada. Pissed at "One More Day"? Torqued off about how "dead is dead" has been liberally interpreted as "dead is as dead as we feel like?" Well, now 's your chance to exact sweet and soggy revenge.

You can dunk your favorite comics editor—Oh, wait! Actually, you can dunk Joe Quesada—and win fabulous prizes such as the nifty-swell Coliseum Of Comics-exclusive Fantastic Four #554 featuring Arthur Suydam Skrull art seen right about here:



A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Jim McLauchlin

We miss you, Steve Gerber

Our ol' pals at Wizard asked me to write something up, so this is what I came up with:
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/021208gerber.html

Jim McLauchlin

Assorted stuff and updates and hoo-hah

Update the first:
I’m sure many of you are following the ongoing lung-recovery saga of Steve Gerber at Steve’s own blog:
http://www.stevegerber.com/sgblog/

I had occasion to be in Vegas last Saturday, 02 FEB, and spent the day hanging out with Steve. We spoke rather extensively about politics (what else?) and the Beatles. It was a good day. Steve is making solid progress, and we all hope like hell he’ll be outta the hospital soon.

UPDATE: Steve Gerber passed away Feb. 10, 2008. Godspeed, Steve, and rest in peace.

Update the second:



The Hero Initiative will have a dunk tank at the Orlando MegaCon, as ref:
www.MegaConvention.com
Oh, yes we will. Who’s going in? You’ll see…

Update the third:

The kind folks at Marvel Comics have donated to Hero the script and eight penciled pages to the final book Mike Wieringo was working on when Mike passed away. Working hand-in-hand with Marvel, Hero has recruited a dozen all-star artists to each do a page or two and finish the book. The result will be a 48-page ’Ringo extravaganza hitting in June. MUCH more info to come. In the meantime, here’s a page from the book by Humberto Ramos.

Jim McLauchlin

And in your living room, George Pérez

For those of you who may have wondered what it's like to have George Pérez in your living room…wonder no longer. David Chang recounts how they do it, O.C.-style.

See:
http://qurls.com?i=7067 (TheComicForums)

Jim McLauchlin

True Tales of Cool Stuff

Hero Board member, Defender of the Realm and all-around cool guy John Romita Sr. recently did four eBay auctions where fans could win lunch and a sketch from John. Auction winner Werner Graf wrote up his experience for Newsarama, and (*ahem*) maybe some of the other winners would be kind enough to share their experiences here as well.

Werner's bit at:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=138443

Jim McLauchlin

Giving Thanks, Indeed

I just wrote checks totaling $3000 for a creator who Hero just benefited. He wishes to remain anonymous, but our Disbursement Committee knows who he is. He lives in an area of the country, where the cost of living is moderately cheap, but still…he and his wife just rolled pennies to buy milk, and they luckily had a coupon for a free box of Cheerios. After the milk, they had $3 to their names.

The creator in question had cancer about a decade ago, and his wife was diagnosed with cancer a few years later. When she found she was going to lose her hair in treatment, she had it cut off and donated to the Locks of Love program. That's just the kind of folks they are. Her cancer is still an issue to this day. It took six years for her to get government help, as with no under-18 children living in their home, they had to get below 200% under the federal poverty guidelines before they could qualify.

Probably needless to say, due to health and mobility issues, finding work is difficult for these folks. The funny part is they're STILL plugging away, still writing and even self-publishing comics. Their spirit is indomitable. Some of the checks I wrote were to a landlord for rent and a propane company for heat. I spoke to said recipient today to tell him the checks went out and he remarked that "The prospect of a warm winter with no bills facing disconnect is more than we hoped for."

And it hit me: He had already resigned himself to the fate that the heat was probably going to get turned off for part of this winter. It was just going to happen. Until us. And until you, reading this.

So there. Just a quick reminder that the work we do, yes, is indeed important. Thanks to all who have donated their money, time, effort, and energies.

And happy Thanksgiving weekend, huh?

Jim McLauchlin