Hope: The Hero Initiative

 If heroes did not exist, it would be necessary to invent them*

Heroes come in all shapes in sizes. They are there to rescue us, to save us from certain doom, or merely to inspire us to achieve greater. In the real world they are First Responders, people who rush into burning buildings and selflessly give their all in the service of others. Sometimes they even make the ultimate sacrifice. Not all of us can be heroes, but not all of us are called upon to do so. Still, it is possible for those of us who don’t regularly put our lives on the line to act the role of heroes for those who have inspired us.

Consider the contributors to Ronin Studios’ Hope: The Hero Initiative, a 188-page square-bound trade paperback comicbook anthology that is being produced and sold to benefit The Hero Initiative, an organization created to provide a financial safety net for comic creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. The book — available in comic stores everywhere starting February 21, 2011 — includes the work of over 80 creators from around the world, who have all contributed to the anthology’s 26 short stories and pinups.

The theme of each of the various stories focuses on not only heroes but the nature of heroism itself. The various pieces in Hope: The Hero Initiative ($19.95) were created by not only established professionals in the comics industry, but by many up-and-comers as well. A few of the more well-known contributors to the book include Tom Nguyen (52, Final Crisis), Jake Black (Batman: Brave and Bold, Smallville), Russell Lissau (The Batman Strikes), Gerry Alanguilan (Ultimate Avengers, Hulk), and Ray Anthony Height (The Amazing Spider-Man) who drew the cover.

According to editor Dustin Archibald Working on Hope: The Hero Initiative has been a great experience. “There’s a lot of super talent in this book,” he said. “The Hero Initiative is an amazing organization that truly helps people in need. Their efforts of aiding comic creators in need are something any comic reader can get behind.”

Jimmy Palmiotti (Pain Killer Jane,Jonah Hex) added that the volume was not only “elegantly told and beautifully rendered, Hope: The Hero Initiative is a must have for any collection” calling it “Comics done for the right reason.” The release of the book is part of a fund and awareness-raising campaign by The Hero Initiative designed to benefit numerous comic creators in need. HOPE shows that the comic community’s is willing to do its part.

The full-color soft-cover edition of Hope: The Hero Initiative has a cover price of $19.95 and can be ordered from retailers with the Diamond Distributors using Order Code DEC101038.

It will be available in comic shops beginning in February, 2011

The Hero Initiative

Ronin Studios

(With apologies to Voltaire)