Okay, so this is somewhat off-topic, but I wanted to post this link because I feel like it’s an important cause. (Besides, there are toys related to comics, right? And I’ve been wanting to branch out into hobbies, as well, and comic collecting certainly counts!)
The Hero Initiative is a non-profit charity organization that helps retired comic book writers and artists who have fallen on hard times. Gene Colan, who has been illustrating comics for over seventy years, has recently fallen ill. To help him combat his rising medical bills, the Hero Initiative is raising money by selling special edition art pieces featuring Colan’s work from Iron Man, Daredevil, and Tomb of Dracula.
Joe Quesada, Editor-in-Chief at Marvel comics, said this about the fundraiser: “Speaking as an artist, in addition to his awe-inspiring renditions of classic comic book heroes, ‘Gentleman’ Gene Colan has been a tremendous inspiration to those of us who have drawn Daredevil. I’m happy to say that Marvel is working along with the Hero Initiative to help one of the industry’s greats and a member of the Marvel family. Our hearts and thoughts go out to Gene and his family during this tough time, and we hope the rest of this great community can do what they can to help support one its founding members.”
Art prints from Iron Man #1 will be available at Wizard World Philadelphia, May 30-June 1for only $25 each. There are only 200 being made available at this event, so they’ll go fast. An additional 50 prints, signed by Colan and writer Stan Lee, will also be available via the internet at a later date. Wizard World Chicago, June 26-29, will have prints from Daredevil #47 available for purchase, and another print will come out later in the year. A Tomb of Dracula poster will be made available in August through Marvel Previews, and a book reprinting many of Colan’s best work is also slated to come out this fall.
If you would like more information on this particular benefit, click here to see the official press release.
