Portland, Oregon, November 7, 2007 — America's most famous super-heroine was the star at the second annual "Wonder Woman Day" event. After world-wide coverage, the event expanded to two communities this year, concurrently held on October 28th at Excalibur Comics in Portland, Oregon and Comic Fusion in New Jersey. The free all-ages event in Portland, organized by best-selling author Andy Mangels, included a trio of comic book creators signing Wonder Woman comics, as well as a silent art auction with over 100 of the world's top artists contributing original art, plus raffles, costumes, rare memorabilia, and more. The Mayor of Portland, Oregon, even declared it "Wonder Woman Day" in Portland! In the aftermath of the event, the total amount raised was determined, with 100% of all monies going to two of Portland's most protective women and children's shelters and the local crisis line — Raphael House of Portland, Bradley-Angle House, and Portland Women’s Crisis Line.. The total raised was over $24,000!

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Jessica Elkan, Director of Development of Raphael House of Portland notes that, "Andy Mangels and his event 'Wonder Woman Day II' at Excalibur Comics was a huge success. This year Raphael House of Portland had a 50% increase in the number of safe bed nights in our shelter. Because of Mr. Mangels and his dedication to providing a safe haven for all people we are able to continue to serve those in need."

Continuing, Elkan says, "For the second year in a row Mr. Mangels has provided a forum for both fundraising and awareness for Raphael House. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and spreading the word about domestic violence is critical to this movement. It is amazing to see the vast network of comic book artists and admirers come together from around the world to support domestic violence services in the Portland community. This year art contributors were from Europe, South America, Canada, the Phillipines, and America, and auction bidders were from all over, including Germany, Canada and the UK. Mr. Mangels is putting Portland on the map as a community that speaks out against domestic violence.”

Facts: Wonder Woman Day II was one of the most successful charity fundraisers in the history of the comic book medium. It was also the first time in her 66-year history that Wonder Woman had a governmentally-recognized "Wonder Woman Day," thanks to Tom Potter, the Mayor of Portland.

The producer of the "Wonder Woman Day" event was Andy Mangels, a best-selling author and DVD documentary director. "I'm staggered at the support the event had from creators and from fans," he says. "The event itself was thrilling, with costumes and fun, and attendees who had come from Seattle and Las Vegas! There were lots of kids around who saw that comics could be fun for them, and not only was a tremendous amount of money raised, but so was the profile and message of the two shelters and the crisis line."

Mangels credits a supportive comic community for the spectacular auction. "With over 150 pieces of original art, the event was a literal museum of comic book stars. The creators signing -- Phil Jimenez, Gail Simone, and Anne Timmons -- all had a great time, and sketched and chatted with the fans. And to be officially recognized for the event by the Mayor was a thrill! Wonder Woman's message has always been about peace, honesty, and equality for everyone. It's sensational that so many people heard that message! "

Concurrent with the lead Portland event, a second Wonder Woman Day celebration took place on October 28th in Flemington, NJ, at Comic Fusion. This East Coast event benefitted Safe in Hunterdon, a domestic violence shelter in New Jersey. This event raised over $3000!

Comic Fusion store co-owner Stacy Korn says, "The Charity, our volunteers and our wonderful sketch artists made sure that everyone left the event with a smile! Our artists: Glenn Williams, Javier Cruz Winnick and Chris Muller delighted fans with on the spot sketches! People who arrived in costume won very cool prizes, and the the end of the day when we pulled the drawing tickets there were many squeals of joy! A fun day was had by all and we raised over $3,000 for SAFE in Hunterdon!"

Representing the domestic violence shelter SAFE in Hunterdon, Melissa Decker says, "SAFE in Hunterdon would like to thank Comic Fusion, all the artists who donated sketches and time on Wonder Woman Day, and everyone who contributed to raising over $3,000 for families seeking services through SAFE in Hunterdon. Every year, we receive several thousands of calls on our Hotline, we offer safe housing to approximately 120 women and children, and we provide immediate crisis intervention to more than 100 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This was a fun and exciting event that will help us keep our services free and confidential for survivors. We definitely look forward to working with Comic Fusion again in the future and being involved with this day next year."

Speaking of next year, a date has been chosen for Wonder Woman Day III: October 26, 2008. Prior to that, Andy Mangels will have a new historical book out, The Wonder Woman Companion, from TwoMorrows Publishing. "Once more, I want to thank everyone who contributed art or merchandise to the event this year, in Portland and New Jersey, and to all the auction bidders and attendees," says Mangels. "This Wonder Woman Day raised knowledge, raised over $27,00 for the shelters and crisis line, and showed that everyone involved has a super-hero inside of them!"

The contributors to the Art Auction and raffles are included below. Scans of all art and photos of contributed items — and photos from the event — will remain on display at www.wonderwomanmuseum.com

TOP 15 BIDS (Portland)
While most pieces went for around $50-200, here are the top 15 pieces and their winning bid prices:
Alex Ross $6,300
Adam Hughes $4,200
Brian Williamson $550
Gary Frank $500
John Byrne $480
Glen Orbik $450
Jaime Hernandez $380
Matt Wagner $351
Guy Davis $300
Mike Pascale (poem) $300
Al Rio $295
Stephane Roux $280
John Lustig $250
Anne Timmons $235
Tim Fish $235

TOP 5 BIDS (New Jersey)
Here are the top 5 pieces and their winning bid prices:
Terry Moore $225
Franchesco $200
Paige Braddock $160
Allison Sohn $135
Jim Lee WW $135

SILENT ART AUCTION CONTIBUTORS
Artists contributing include such award-winning graphic art luminaries as Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman), Alex Ross (Justice, Kingdom Come), John Byrne (Superman, X-Men), Matt Wagner (Grendel, Mage), Gilbert Hernandez (Love & Rockets), Jaime Hernandez (Love & Rockets), Jim Lee (All-Star Batman), Mike Grell (Green Arrow), Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise), and Jan Eliot (Stone Soup comic strip). Additional art contributions showcase the incredible talents of Aaron Sowd, Acir Galvao, Adam Dekraker, Al Bigley, Alfredo Lopez, Al Rio, Alex Saviuk, Alexandre Tso, Alfredo Lopez Jr, Allison Sohn, Amy Pronovost, Andres Ponce, Andy Smith, Anne Timmons, Anthony Tan, Ariel Padilla, Aries Mendoza, Art Baltazar, Bill Maus, Bill Tucci, Bong Dazo, Bonkz Seriosa, Brian Williamson, Brock Heasley, Cat Staggs, Chris Dibari, Christopher Muller, Colleen Coover, Craig Rousseau, Dan Burgonos, Dan Parent, Daniel Crosier, Daniel Hdr, Dave Gutierrez, Dave Hoover, David Chelsea, David Mancos, Dean Haspiel, Diane Carroll, Don Perlin, Doug Baron, Eduardo Pansica, Elvis Moura, Eric Wolfe Hanson, Evan Bryce, Franchesco, Fred Hembeck, Gary Frank, Glen Hanson, Glen Orbik, Glenn Whitmore, Greg Moutafis, Guilherme Balbi Borba, Guy Davis, Howard Bender, Howard Simpson, Ivan Velez Jr., J.A. Fludd, Jake Minor, Jamal Igle, James Bukauskas, James Fiorentio, Janet Hetherington, Jason Baroody, Jason Metcalf, Javier Cruz Winnik, Jeremy McHugh, Jerry Carr, Jessica Hickman, Jim Jimenez, Jim Mahfood, Jim Valentino, Joan Reilly, Joe Staton, John Heebink, John Lustig, John Painz, John Watson, Jon Racimo, Jona Tan, Jose Weingartner Jr, Julius Gopez, Karen Ellis, Katie Cook, Keith Tucker, Ken Branch, Ken Haeser, Kevenn T. Smith, Khoi Pham, Kris Dresen, Kristen Mccabe, Leif Jones, Lui Antonio, Marat Mychaels, Marcus To, Mark Bloodworth, Mark Padilla, Mark Robinson, Michael Bair, Michael L. Peters, Michael Parla, Michael T. Gilbert, Mike Cavallaro, Mike Collins, Mike Pascale, Mike Vosburg, Neil Vokes, Oliver Nome, Paige Braddock, Paul Guinan, Paul T. Gould, Paul Taylor, Phil Hester, Phil Jimenez, Quincy Mata, Ray Caspio, Rich A. Molinelli, Rich Woodall, Richard Howell, Rob Kramer, Roberta Gregory, Rodney Buchemi, Roger Medeiros, Rogerio De Souza, Ronn Sutton, Scott Christian Sava, Scott Rosema, Shawn McManus, Simon Fraser, Stephane Roux, Steve Lieber, Steve Rude, Steven Gordon, Tim Fish, Tim Hamilton, Todd Herman, Tod Smith, Tom Hodges, Tyler Kirkham, Tyler Richlen, Uko Smith, and Voltaire!

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
Posters and Fliers designed by Richard J. Fowlks
Printing donated by Documart Printing & TIS Grafx (Portland) and Prin-Tech (NJ)
Banner donated by Sign Wizards (Portland ) and 1 Stop Photo (NJ)
Accommodations for Portland Guest provided by Park Lane Suites.
Merchandise and Promotional items from Lynda Carter (courtesy Scott Stander and Associates), DC Comics, DC Direct, Diamond Distributing, Junk Food Apparel, Vandor, Dark Horse Comics, Chronicle Books, Tonner Dolls, Rittenhouse Archives, Graphitti Designs, GTO Designs, WizKids, Dynamic Forces, J Torres, Mark Sparacio, Life O'licious, Indigo Ink, Image Comics, Stormwatch Comics, Prism Comics, Countermedia, and more.

Photos from the event, art images and Portland’s Mayoral Proclamation are viewable at www.wonderwomanmuseum.com

For additional information, text for the Mayoral Proclamation, or print-ready photos or artwork, contact: Andy Mangels, AmangelsSW@aol.com

For additional information about the New Jersey event, contact:
Stacy Korn, stacy@comicfusion.com

About Raphael House of Portland (a 501(c)3 charity) www.raphaelhouse.com
Raphael House of Portland has been offering shelter to women and children fleeing domestic violence since 1977. Each year, more than 300 women and children access shelter, food, clothing, transportation, support groups and individual support at our Emergency Shelter, and over 3500 people are served by our in-house crisis line. Raphael House of Portland is one of the largest domestic violence shelters in Oregon and has over 30% of the available bed space for survivors of domestic violence in the State. Raphael House of Portland is also dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence through education in the community for people of all walks of life and ages.

About Bradley-Angle House (a 501(c)3 charity) www.bradleyangle.org
Founded in 1975 as the first domestic violence shelter on the West Coast, Bradley-Angle House continues to develop innovative programs for women and children of all backgrounds experiencing domestic violence. Besides bilingual Spanish and English Emergency and Transition Services, Bradley-Angle House offers culturally specific support services for women battered by women.

About Portland Women's Crisis Line (a 501(c)3 charity) www.pwcl.org
Founded in 1972, the Portland Women's Crisis Line provides services to survivors (both female and male) of domestic violence and sexual assault, including rape, incest, and sexual harassment. The Portland Women's Crisis Line was the first crisis line of its kind in the state of Oregon, and one of the first five crisis lines of its kind in the United States. The Crisis Line provides services via the toll free statewide hotline number.

About SAFE in Hunterdon www.safeinhunterdon.org
SAFE in Hunterdon is a United Way Member Agency and a member of the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women. SAFE has an emergency protective shelter for women and children and a 24-hour hotline. All services are free and confidential. Spanish speaking counseling and legal advocacy is also available. SAFE has a Crisis Intervention Team, Consultation on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Prevention Education Programs, Recovery Programs, and PALS program for children (PALS is a program designed to help children heal through the use of creative art therapies.).

About Andy Mangels www.andymangels.com
Andy Mangels is the USA Today best-selling author and co-author of over a dozen novels — including Star Trek, Roswell, and Star Wars books — and is an award-winning comic book anthology editor and past comic book writer. He has also written several nonfiction books, and regularly contributes to Just Out newspaper and other publications. He directs and produces DVD documentaries for BCI and Genius Products DVDs. Andy is a national award-winning activist in the Gay community, and has raised thousands of dollars for charities over the years. He curates the online Wonder Woman Museum.

About Excalibur Comics www.excaliburcomics.net
Founded in 1976 by Peter Fagnant and Kathy Putnam, Excalibur Books & Comics is the oldest comic book store in the State of Oregon. Currently managed by Debbie Fagnant — a Wonder Woman fan — Excalibur has an extensive line of comic books and graphic novels. Excalibur regularly donates books to schools and libraries, and welcomes fans of all ages for this spectacular event.

About Comic Fusion www.ComicFusion.com
Begun as a website in 2003 and opening as a store in November 2005, Comic Fusion is owned Bill Meccia and Stacy Korn, Working hard to become a part of the local community, the shop regularly donates to area charities, and remains one of the few comic stores in Central New Jersey. Comic Fusion carries an extensive line of comic books and graphic novels, as well as toys, apparel, and games, and remains a fun and friendly destination for all ages.

About Wonder Woman
Debuting in All-Star Comics #8 (December 1941-January 1942) as the creation of psychologist and lie-detector inventor William Moulton Marston, Wonder Woman soon graduated into two series of her own: Wonder Woman and Sensation Comics. In the 66 years since, over a thousand Wonder Woman comics have been published by DC Comics. Wonder Woman has appeared in animated cartoons such as Justice League Unlimited and Super Friends, but most famously was portrayed by statuesque actress Lynda Cater in the live-action series from 1975-1979.