MARVEL & HERO INITIATIVE SEND
IRON MAN TO GENE COLAN'S AID
LOS ANGELES (May 22, 2008)- Artist Gene Colan has
been one of comics' favorites for a staggering seven
decades. Now, as Gene is suffering illness, some of
the characters Gene worked on are coming to save the
day.
The Hero Initiative in conjunction with Marvel
Comics is launching a series of Gene Colan-themed
products, starting with a limited edition print of
Gene's cover art to Invincible Iron Man #1,
available at Wizard World Philadelphia, May 30-June
1. 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.
Also at Wizard World Philadelphia, guest writers and
artists at the Marvel Comics booth will be signing
and sketching two large poster-sized boards, which
Hero will auction benefiting Gene at a later date.
And that's just the start. Wizard World Chicago,
June 26-29, will see the release of a second print
featuring the cover art to Daredevil #47, the
legendary “Brother, Take My Hand” story by Stan Lee
and Gene Colan. A third print will be available
later in the year, along with other products.
For August, a Gene Colan Tomb of Dracula poster will
be available for order via Marvel Previews with
proceeds routed to Gene; and in September, a special
book reprinting some of Gene's greatest stories will
be made available. In addition to these items, The
Hero Initiative will take additional steps to help
Gene in his convalescence.
“Gene Colan,” said Roy Thomas, longtime Marvel
Comics writer and Hero Initiative Board member, “is
one of the most amazingly talented comic book
artists in the history of the field. When I was
scripting one of his stories, there was no one-not
even Neal Adams or John Buscema-whose pencils could
make me feel more strongly as if I were looking into
a real world. He combines often-photographic realism
with dynamism worth of a Kirby…and that makes him
unique.”
“Speaking as an artist, in addition to his
awe-inspiring renditions of classic comic book
heroes, 'Gentleman' Gene Colan has been a tremendous
inspiration to those of us who have drawn
Daredevil,” said Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada.
“I'm happy to say that Marvel is working along with
The Hero Initiative to help one of the industry's
greats and a member of the Marvel family. Our hearts
and thoughts go out to Gene and his family during
this tough time, and we hope the rest of this great
community can do what they can to help support one
its founding members.”
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