LOS ANGELES (June 18, 2008)—The Hero Initiative will hit Wizard World Chicago in full force June 26-29, with spectacular exclusive product!

The second of Hero’s Gene Colan prints will be available first at Wizard World Chicago, this one featuring the cover art to Daredevil #47, the legendary “Brother, Take My Hand” story by Stan Lee and Gene Colan. Only 200 prints will be available at the show at a cost of $25 each. Net proceeds from sales of these prints by the Hero Initiative will benefit Gene Colan. Another 50 prints will be available at a later date, with plans to have them autographed by both Gene Colan and Stan Lee.

And Iron fans take notice: A heretofore unannounced special variant cover edition of the smash-hit Invincible Iron Man #1 will also be at the Hero Initiative booth. Colorist Stéphane Peru unfortunately passed away while working on Invincible Iron Man #1, and Marvel Comics has created a mere 100 copies with the notation “In Memoriam, Stéphane Peru, 1981-2008” on the cover. All 100 copies have been autographed by writer Matt Fraction and artist Salvador Larroca, and will be available for sale by The Hero Initiative.

“Wizard Entertainment is fully committed to the Hero Initiative cause and we're thrilled we could provide a platform and venue to help raise money for this tremendous cause,” said Wizard Senior VP/Operations Joe Yanarella. “I urge all comic fans to donate to the cause to help out those in need who have helped provide a lifetime of entertainment.”

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. For more information, call 310-909-7809 or visit www.HeroInitiative.org

With a library of over 5,000 characters built over more than sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios) and publishing (via Marvel Comics), with emphasis on feature films, home DVD, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. For more information visit www.marvel.com.