LOS ANGELES, Calif., February 3, 2009 – The Hero Initiative announced today its plans for New York Comic Con, taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Center from Feb 6-8 in New York City.

The night before the show begins, the organizers of New York Comic Con are throwing a Pre-Con party at Dave & Buster’s Times Square (234 West 42nd St., New York, NY 10036), from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., on February 5, 2009. Admission is free and open to attendees, creators, exhibitors and staff, but for a donation of $10, guests will receive five raffle tickets for a chance to win some amazing prizes. All proceeds collected from the raffle will benefit The Hero Initiative. Winning numbers will be announced at the end of the party and winners must be present to win. Raffle prizes to date include:

• Official New York Comic Con VIP Ticket - Signed by Neal Adams
• Official New York Comic Con 2009 Show Poster - Framed & Signed by Neal Adams
• Back to the Future Flux Capacitor Unlimited Edition
• Emissary Poster - Signed by the complete cast of Emissary
• Marvel Then-and-Now DVD - Signed by Stan Lee & Joe Quesada
• The Book: Marvel Visionaries: John Romita Jr. - Signed by John Romita Jr.
• 12-inch Indiana Jones
• 12-inch RAH Red Clone Trooper
• $25 Visa Gift Card
• Two $25 Midtown Comics Gift Cards

When the show starts, The Hero Initiative can be found at Booth #1865. Fans can stop by to make donations, purchase exclusive signed items, sign up for memberships and get their items signed by some of their favorite creators. Scheduled to appear at The Hero Initiative Booth during the weekend are (all times Eastern):

FRIDAY, February 6, 2009

10 – 11 a.m. Leinil Francis Yu
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. George Pérez
1 – 2 p.m. Leonard Kirk
4 – 6 p.m. George Pérez

SATURDAY, February 7, 2009

10 – 11 a.m. George Pérez
12 – 1 p.m. Tom DeFalco
1 – 1:45 p.m. Matt Fraction
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. George Pérez at Art Auction, Room 1A14

SUNDAY, February 8, 2009

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. George Pérez
12 – 1 p.m. Leonard Kirk
1 – 2 p.m. Tom DeFalco
3 – 4 p.m. George Pérez

In addition, fans can attend The Hero Initiative Art Auction on Saturday evening, February 7, at 6:30 p.m. ET in Room 1A14 to bid on original pieces of art donated by 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.

For additional details on the New York Comic Con Art Auction, visit heroinitiative.org/NewsDetail.asp?NewsId=175.

The Hero Initiative 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, 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Tickets are on sale at www.nycomiccon.com.

About The Hero Initiative

In late 2000, a consortium of comic publishers came up with the idea to create a financial safety net for comic creators, much in the same fashion that exists in almost any other trade from plumbing to pottery. By March of 2001, the federal government approved The Hero Initiative as a publicly supported not-for-profit corporation under section 501 (c) (3).

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative (formerly known as A.C.T.O.R., A Commitment To Our Roots) 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.

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.

About New York Comic Con

New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. Our show floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. Our panels and autograph sessions give fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators. Our screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit either big or small screens. And with dedicated professional hours, New York Comic Con is a market place, bringing together the major players in the entertainment industry. New York Comic Con is the second largest pop culture convention in America and the only one that takes place in the comic book, publishing, media, and licensing capital of the world -- Gotham City. Further information can be found at newyorkcomiccon.com.