Harvey AwardsMedia Release -- The Harvey Awards dinner and presentation ceremony, featuring emcee Scott Kurtz and the presentation of the 2009 HERO Initiative Humanitarian Award to Neal Adams will be held on Saturday, October 10th at the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards.

Harvey Awards tickets are on sale now. Tickets to the event, which includes full cocktail hour (cash bar), full service dinner, awards ceremony, and gift bag are now available for $100. Tickets are available by calling Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reisterstown, Maryland at (410) 526-7410. Major Credit Cards will be accepted for payment. Dinner tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, October 7th and will not be available at the door.

The Harveys, named after the legendary MAD Magazine founding editor and master storyteller Harvey Kurtzman, recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.Harvey Award Recipient Logo

Guests for dinner and the awards ceremony will enjoy a full Baltimore-style crabcake banquet dinner and a lively show hosted by Scott Kurtz as our Master of Ceremonies. All 21 Harvey Awards will be announced, as well the presentation of the 2009 HERO Initiative Humanitarian Award, honoring Neal Adams.

In addition to receiving numerous industry awards, including induction into the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame, Neal Adams is renowned for his social work within the artistic industry. His lobbying for creators' rights, including royalties and the return of artwork, resulted in the modern system of art being returned to the artists who created it, along with better benefits, including sales royalties. His most recent efforts found him collaborating with Joe Kubert and Stan Lee in an effort to force the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland to return Holocaust survivor Dina Babbitt's wartime artwork created during her Nazi captivity. Neal created a 6-page comic book, which he pencilled and inked, highlighting the injustice suffered by Dina. In recognition of his efforts on Dina's behalf, Neal will be receiving the Hero Initiative Humanitarian Award.

"We love the Harveys, and I have been a fan of and admired Neal for many years. We are excited to join the HERO Initiative and honor Neal Adams", said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Continuing the guest-pleasing promotion from years past, a gift bag will be available to all dinner guests. The first 250 attendees will receive a gift bag containing the following: A Batman or DC Universe Illustrated HC by Neal Adams (DC Comics), PvP, vol. 1: At Large TP by Scott Kurtz (Image Comics), A Magnus/Solar/Turok Archive HC (Dark Horse Comics), Darkness Accursed TP (Top Cow Productions), G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra Movie Adaptation (IDW), A Marvel Variant Exclusive Comic (Diamond Comic Distributors), Phineas and Ferb Chapter Book (Disney Book Group), Mom's Cancer by Brian Fies (Abrams Books), Creator Chronicles Preview DVD (Woodcrest Productions and Eva Ink), A Harvey Keychain (LaserMach), A Toon Tumbler (Popfun Merchandising), & A Surprise from BOOM! Studios.

For those who wish to attend the ceremony only, tickets are available for $15, or free for those with a two-day pass to the convention. The hall will be opened for those ticket holders at approximately 9:15pm. Attendees who purchase a ceremony-only ticket are not eligible to receive the gift bag. The two day convention tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster, accessible from http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets.htm. Ceremony tickets may also be purchased via phone at 410-526-7410.

In addition to the Baltimore Comic-Con, named sponsors of the 2009 Harvey Awards include DC Comics, ComiXology, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Diamond Comics Distrubutors, Geppi's Entertainment Museum, Insight Studios Group, Laughing Ogre Comics, Painted Visions Comics, Cards, & Games, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Productions. Without these sponsors, the event would not be possible and the Baltimore Comic-Con Staff expresses their gratitude.

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 10th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held Oct 10-11, 2009. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 4 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.