Hero Initiative at Dragon-Con

Comics News
Hero Initiative at Dragon-Con
By Philip Schweier
September 9, 2009 - 05:04

Dragon*Con, an annual four-day science fiction/fantasy convention held every Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, GA., hosted the Heroes Initiative table in its Comic Artists' Alley. Artist George Perez was the most popular attraction, as he spent a few hours each day sketching comic book character head-shots for $20, with all proceeds being donated to the Hero Initiative.

On Sunday afternoon alone, Perez helped raise more than $900 in just two hours for the Hero Initiative, a charitable organization that helps older and retired comic book creators meet immediate financial needs, such as paying back rent, recovering from catastrophic illness, as well as helping them to find potential work.

Other participating professionals included Cully Hamner and Paul Jenkins, as well as many other attending artists who participated in a sketch jam at one of the bars in the Atlanta Hyatt. Fans were invited to share a drink with artists such as Jimmy Palmiotti or Humberto Ramos, among others, and request a sketch of their favorite character. It quickly turned into a competition as illustrators raced to see who could crank out the largest number of drawings

George Perez

"With George here, we always have a successful con, because he's such a sketching machine," said Chris Klamer, who managed the booth on behalf of the Hero Initiative.

"I had a great time," said Perez. "So did my wife; she wants to come back and shop. Any con my wife loves is aces with me."

Perez, with writer Peter David, emceed Dragon*Con's annual costume contest Sunday night. It featured more than 40 contestants in the adult division, and 10 in the childrens. The winning entry was a Samurai Jack and Aku, done to (nearly) scale.

Dragon*Con is held each year the first weekend in September in Atlanta, GA., attracting more than 30,000 science fiction, fantasy, comic book and gaming fans, as well as celebrity guests such as stars from Star Wars, Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica.

To learn how you can be a part of the Hero Initiative, visit www.heroinitiative.org.