Hero ComicsMedia Release -- Los Angeles, CA (August 12, 2009)—Hero Initiative is very proud to announce the release of Hero Comics. The 32-page, no-ads comic, edited and produced by Scott Dunbier, special projects editor at IDW Publishing, hits stores today with two covers, Eve by J. Scott Campbell, and Grendel by Matt Wagner. The fundraising book will contain great, all-new content including an original American Flagg! story by Howard Chaykin, and original stories by Gene Ha, Bill Willingham, David Lloyd, and Kaare Andrews.

In addition, Arthur Adams will recreate three classic Marvel Comics covers, and Hero Initiative beneficiaries such as Gene Colan, Bill Messner-Loebs and Josh Medors will tell their own personal stories, detailing their severe struggles, and Hero's involvement.

Patrons of Los Angeles' Golden Apple Comics will also have access to another bonus: Bill Willingham has donated BOTH pages of original art from his 2-page story, and Golden Apple is raffling them off, with raffle tickets costing a mere $1 each. Golden Apple is located at 7018 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles. Call them at 323-658-6047, or visit www.GoldenAppleComics.com

This special edition comic retails for $3.99, and is in the Diamond Previews catalog for August-shipping items in the IDW section, order code JUN090950 . Hero is proud and grateful to announce that through a special arrangement with the printer, Try Vision Company, Inc. of Los Angeles, thousands of copies are available for reorder in Diamond's system.

"I've been an active supporter of the Hero Initiative since I was first asked to help out," stated Howard Chaykin. "It's particularly important in this volatile era that we remember the men and women who made our industry, and make certain that they have the happy endings they richly deserve."

"It's been a pleasure and a privilege to work on a book like Hero Comics. The job that the Hero Initiative does, helping comics creators in need, is a noble endeavor, one all of us should get behind," said Dunbier.

All proceeds from the book benefit Hero Initiative, as all creators involved have donated their services. IDW is donating its publishing services, Comicraft is donating lettering and book design, and Try Vision Company, Inc. of Los Angeles is donating printing.

About IDW

IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. As a leader in the horror, action, and sci-fi genres, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry including: television's #1 prime time series CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Paramount's Star Trek; Fox's Angel; Hasbro's The Transformers, and the BBC's Doctor Who. IDW's original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. In April 2008, IDW released Michael Recycle, the first title from its new children's book imprint, Worthwhile Books. More information about the company can be found at http://www.idwpublishing.com.