THE HERO INITIATIVE AT MEGACON

LOS ANGELES, Calif., February 23, 2009 – The Hero Initiative announced today its plans for MegaCon, taking place at the Orange County Convention Center Hall D from Feb. 27 to March 1 in Orlando, Florida.

Legendary artist George Pérez (The New Teen Titans, Wonder Woman, Avengers, Crisis on Infinite Earths ) and longtime, fan-favorite writer and artist Dan Jurgens (Action Comics, Superman, Tomb Raider, 52, Countdown, Booster Gold ) will be appearing at The Hero Initiative booth (#525) for several signing sessions throughout the weekend.

"For far too long, we, as an industry, failed to come together as a group to help those who needed it. The Hero Initiative has changed all that and it really is an honor to chip in and offer assistance to our friends and colleagues who have shared so much of their talent and creative energy over the years," explained Jurgens.

On Saturday, Hero will host a signing with three of the artists that contributed to The Hulk 100 Project, including Jim Cheung (New Avengers ), Mike Perkins (Captain America ) and Andy Smith (Project Superpowers ).

Fans can also have lunch with and get free original sketches by some of their favorite creators by winning an auction on eBay. Up for bid are lunches with Jurgens, Pérez, Darwyn Cooke ("Batman: The Animated Series," DC: The New Frontier, Catwoman ) and DC Executive Editor Dan DiDio. The auction ends Thursday, Feb. 26 and can be found at http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/heroinitiative_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ .

The Hero Initiative can be found at Booth #525 at MegaCon. Fans can stop by to make donations, purchase exclusive signed items, sign up for memberships and get their items signed by Pérez, Jurgens and some of their other favorite creators. Here is the schedule of appearances at The Hero Initiative Booth during the weekend (all times Eastern):

FRIDAY, February 27, 2009 (Show hours: 12 – 7 p.m.)
12:30 – 2 p.m. Dan Jurgens
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. "Hulk 100 Project" signing: Jim Cheung, Mike Perkins, Andy Smith
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Ron Marz
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Dan Jurgens
5:30 – 7 p.m. George Pérez

SATURDAY, February 28, 2009 (Show hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
10:15 – 11:30 a.m. Dan Jurgens
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Nelson DeCastro
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Dan Jurgens and George Pérez

SUNDAY, March 1, 2009 (Show hours 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. George Pérez
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Steve McNiven
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. George Pérez

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.

Tickets for MegaCon are on sale at www.megaconvention.com .