LOS ANGELES, Calif., January 16, 2009 – The Hero Initiative announced today it will hold a Charity Art Auction at New York Comic Con, Feb. 6-8, 2009. The auction will feature original pieces of art from some of the biggest names in the comic book industry, including works by Joe Quesada, George Pérez, Darwyn Cooke, Jae Lee, John Romita Sr. and Jr., Steve Rude, Jim Starlin, Walter Simonson, Joe Madureira, and all the Image Comics founders. A total of 128 lots are available in the event, divided into two main categories: a live auction and a silent auction.

The live auction, hosted by Hero Initiative Chairman George Pérez, will take place on Saturday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET in room 1A14 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and feature 29 major lots. Items for the live auction can be viewed at The Hero Initiative booth, #1865, all day Friday and until 5 p.m. ET Saturday.

The silent auction will take place at The Hero Initiative booth. Items for Friday, February 6’s auction can be viewed on Friday, February 6. Bidding will close at 5 p.m. ET. Items for Saturday, February 7’s auction can be viewed on both Friday and Saturday. Bidding will close at 4 p.m. ET. Note this early time! Items for Sunday, February 8’s auction can be viewed all weekend. Bidding will close at 3 p.m. ET.

Fans unable to attend the auctions in person can view the items up for bid in a .pdf catalog available for download at The Hero Initiative website at www.heroinitiative.org. They then may bid by proxy by contacting Joe Davidson at yensid4disney@gmail.com. All proxy bids MUST be in no later than Wednesday, Feb. 4, 12 p.m. PT.

And another important note: No printed catalogs will be available on-site at the New York Comic Con! Hero strongly encourages bidders to check out the .pdf downloads, and print out their own copies if they wish.

Highlights in the auction include Joe Madureira pages from Marvel Comics’ Ultimates 3. To date, Joe has sold NONE of his Ultimates 3 pages. This is the first time, and may be the only time, art from this series is available.

Proceeds benefit The Hero Initiative, which creates a monetary safety net for yesterday’s 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 fans to give something back to the people who have given them so much enjoyment. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 818-997-6114.

New York Comic Con will take place February 6-8 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Tickets are on sale at www.nycomiccon.com.