Waid.jpgHero Initiative, the non-profit organization that aids comic creators in medical or financial need, is deeply honored to announce that veteran comic writer Mark Waid has joined its Board of Directors as part of its Executive/Fundraising Board. Waid takes the place of Guillermo del Toro, who has departed due to his work on time-consuming film projects.

"Mark is an amazingly creative guy, and I'm very much looking forward to incorporating his ideas and seeing the new energy he'll bring to the organization," said Hero Initiative President Jim McLauchlin. "And we all know that Mark's a scholar of comics history and a true lover of the medium, so Hero's mission is very near and dear to his heart."

Hero Initiative"I've been a supporter and cheerleader for this organization from its very beginning, and I'm honored and humbled to be asked to serve in an official capacity. They champion a cause about which I'm uniquely passionate, and I'm eager to contribute to what is already a top-notch endeavor," said Waid.

In his twenty-five years in the comics business, Mark Waid has been a writer, an editor, a publisher, an artist, a letterer, a colorist, and more. He's one of the most prolific comics writers of all time, with some of his best-known credits including The Flash, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Justice League of America, and (with painter Alex Ross) the award-winning and best-selling graphic novel Kingdom Come. Currently, Waid serves as the Editor-In-Chief of the Los Angeles-based BOOM! Studios comics imprint and writes several of the company's titles, including Irredeemable and Incorruptible. He can be found on the web at www.markwaid.com.

Hero Initiative and its Board welcome Waid with open arms, and look to a long and prosperous relationship in the years to come! Hero Initiative will be making further announcements in the coming days about additions to its Disbursement Committee, and an expansion of services.

About The Hero Initiative

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 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 all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.