In 1967, Stan Lee had no Internet, so he did the next best thing: he created his own way to speak to his audience. Each month inside Marvel's titles, "The Man" rapped rhapsodic about whatever was on his mind in "Stan's Soapbox." Topics would range from tackling bigotry, addressing a controversial price hike and even hawking the latest "Marvel masterpiece." And, by doing so, Stan endeared himself to Marvel's entire audience, a sentiment that lasts to this day. With special thanks to Stan and the fine folks of Marvel Comics, The Hero Initiative collects all of the "Soapboxes" from their start in 1967 to their end in 1980. Called Stan's Soapbox: The Collection, this 144-page book hits stores November 19, and retails for $14.99. In addition to Stan's savvy scribbles, Stan's Soapbox: The Collection not only provides historical perspective, but comic pros such as Paul Dini, Joe Quesada, Roy Thomas and more fondly recall their favorite "Soapbox." You can preorder now RIGHT HERE!

Heck, even stingy Stan himself might buy one!

Now that his Northeast U.S. tour has concluded, we doff our cap to all-around good bloke Steve Dillon (Preacher, Punisher). Sponsored by the comic book retailer organization ComicPRO, the artist toured several East Coast comic stores with proceeds going to Hero Initiative.

At every signing from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1, Steve had a pint of beer handy and a pencil in hand to sketch tirelessly throughout the tour, raising $3,000 for Hero Initiative. Check out the photos from his stop at Captain Blue Hen Comics in Newark, DE!

Keep a lookout in early 2009 as ComicPRO and Hero Initiative team up again to do a similar tour with Jimmy Palmiotti and Darwyn Cooke!

The Hero Initiative's variant to Marvel Apes #1—penciled by the late Mike Wieringo—is STILL available! The variant is limited to only 3,000 copies worldwide and can be purchased NOW at Atomic Comics.

"This drawing is one of the initial inspirations for the entire miniseries—chances are the comic would have never happened without it—so this cover brings everything full circle," says the event's writer and 'Ringo cover inker Karl Kesel. "And it's only fitting that it helps The Hero Initiative, because Mike was a big believer in giving back to the comics community, and that's exactly what The Hero Initiative is all about."

Retail price is $8, and the book will also be available at Wizard World Texas (Nov. 7-9). (For more details on what Hero's got cookin' at upcoming cons, see below.)

Hero Initiative had great fun raising money at two recent conventions, namely the Baltimore Comic-Con and Mid-Ohio Con.

In Baltimore during the weekend of Sept. 27-28, we raised about $10,000. Our thanks go out to organizer Marc Nathan and volunteers Kevin Brogan and Michael Finn. (Hey, pick up a copy of Michael's 3-Minute Sketchbook HERE — practically all of those sketches, done in three minutes or less by comics' biggest names, were donated from Michael's personal collection! For more info, go HERE.

At the Mid-Ohio Con (Oct. 4-5), Hero Initiative raised about $4,000. Again, our thanks go out to organizers James Henry and Roger Price; talent Billy Tan, Joe Kubert, Chris Claremont, Alan Davis, Billy Tucci, Arthur Suydam, Ethan van Sciver, Mike Grell, Chris Giarusso, Len Wein, P. Craig Russell, David Mack, and Pat and Shelly Block; and our tireless volunteers Craig Wetterman and Sandy Pinkerton. And, hey, Craig Wetterman got to live out a lifelong dream! Check it out:

Chicago's Windy City Convention was Saturday, Oct. 25 and Hero pulled in $1,100 for the one-day show! Thanks to talented artists Gene Ha, Chris Moreno, Tim Seeley, Mike Norton, Chris Burnam, Jason Howard and Francheso, who helped out. And booth staff Jim Tract, Sam Barber, Wendi Freeman and Mike Fleming took care of business for Hero.

"This charity is near and dear to my heart, and I can't tell you how happy I am that we were able to do some good at this show," said convention organizer Chris Neseman.

The Hero booth will have Phil Hester (Green Arrow, El Diablo) and an EXCLUSIVE Darkness #7 variant that Hester both wrote and did the cover for. Stop by and donate a few bucks for a sweet sketch!

Did you know you could support Hero Initiative with toilet paper and a can of Spam?

’Tis true! If you live near a Ralphs grocery store, you could contribute by just using your Ralphs Rewards card. You get a discount from your grocery bill AND donate to the charity of your choice—all at a cost of nothing! Every time you use your card, Ralphs—nice folks they are—kick in some dough to good causes. Here’s all you need to do:
1. Click on this link.
2. Enter our NPO # (non-profit organization #), which is 80680. It’s under our corporate name, "A Commitment To Our Roots." It’s okay, don’t let that throw ya!
3. Fill out the rest of your info.
4. Now celebrate with a pie.
This applies to Ralphs, Foods Co. and Food 4 Less stores in Southern California, Nevada, Illinois, and Indiana. So sign up today! It’ll do us both some good!

T-shirts! Sweatshirts! Hats! Journals! Coffee mugs! You-name-it! All available HERE! So what are ya waitin’ fer? Order up!

And if your taste runs to Frank Cho and monkeys (and why wouldn’t it?) a bountiful bevy of merchandise awaits your perusal HERE!