Hero InitiativeMedia Release -- It's that time of year— to renew your Hero Initiative membership! 2009 marked the first year ever for Hero Initiative memberships, and for 2010, we've revamped with more and better premiums! You can get full information and order today at www.heroinitiative.org or www.heroinitiative.org/2010members.

Proceeds benefit the Hero Initiative, the only charitable organization dedicated to helping comic creators in medical or financial need. In addition to the great items listed below, many EXTRA excellent events and special discounts will be made available ONLY to Hero Initiative members throughout the year. Don't miss out on the insider's scoop and invites to very special events! As we say over here at Hero…DO IT!

Memberships are available as follows:

BRONZE $29
You get:
• Personalized membership card
• Quarterly newsletter
• A copy of the Hero Initiative Marvel Apes #1 variant
• Hero Initiative sketch card from a randomly selected artist! Artists include: Chris Bachalo, Dan Brereton, Mike Deodato, Scott Koblish, Mike Mayhew, Mike Perkins, Joe Quesada, Humberto Ramos, Tone Rodriguez, John Romita Sr., Leinil Yu and MORE!

SILVER $99

You get ALL the above, PLUS:
• A NEW 2010 Hero Initiative T-shirt
• A copy of The Ultimate Spider-Man #100 Project
• "First in Line" and special members-only signings at select 2010 conventions

EXCELSIOR! $500

You get ALL the above, PLUS:
• A $50 gift card for Sideshow Collectibles
• Your flat item signed and personalized by Stan Lee!

ComicArtFans.com members will also want to take special note, as combo memberships for BOTH Hero and ComicArtFans are available. ComicArtFans is offering its members an additional $10 off their annual Premium Membership program if you are also a Hero member. "When ComicArtFans learned that the Hero Initiative would have membership opportunities we felt the need to help promote this new program to our membership as well. We've been a supporter of Hero for several years and feel very strongly that our members are also interested in supporting Hero," said Bill Cox of ComicArtFans.com

Returning 2009 members will get a members-only discount off the prices listed above IF YOU RENEW BEFORE JANUARY 1st 2010. So if you haven't signed up yet, do so today to guarantee your savings for the future!

And if you want to sign up on-site at the Long Beach Comic Con (Oct. 2-4, 2009) or Mid-Ohio Comic Con (Oct. 3-4, 2009), we encourage you to do that quickly! The first 50 signups at each of those cons will get a bonus gift card from Sideshow Collectibles worth a random amount from $10 to $50 at SideshowCollectibles.com