Back in August, I was challenged by Peter Rios to read comics in public in honor of Jack Kirby’s birthday as a way to support the Hero Initiative. Wait, you don’t know what the Hero Initiative is (or maybe you’ve forgotten)? Here, I’ll let the official website explain:
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 yesterdays’ 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.
So there you go. This is a way for us fans, those of us who have gotten so much out of reading comic books, to provide a little something for those creators who need some assistance. That’s not a whole lot to ask now is it? While it took me some time to complete it, I accepted Peter’s challenge to read comics in public (as evidenced below) and to donate $25 to the Hero Initiative.
Now it’s your turn. If you’re reading this, I challenge you to do the same thing (there is no deadline–just participate when you can). Take a quick pic of yourself enjoying a comic book in public, pledge to donate at least $25 to the Hero Initiative, and challenge others to step up. In the comics, the hero would help you when you needed it; now it’s your turn to be the hero! Take the pledge today!
PS: Don’t forget to also pick up IDW Publishing’s Hero Comics 2014 benefit book arriving in stores on November 19 (order code AUG140471).
Longbox Review 