Tim Dzon on how Hero kept him from becoming homeless

If not for Hero Initiative, I would have lost everything, and would be homeless right now.

I’m Tim Dzon, a freelance inker from the ’80s and ’90s, who worked on DC and Marvel titles such as Flash, Avengers West Coast, Spider-Man Unlimited, Hawkeye, Marvel Comics Presents, and more. But nothing lasts forever, and in the late ’90s, the comic business went through changes and I couldn’t find work anymore. From 2000 to 2013, I moved around, working retail and working on my artwork by doing commissions from time to time. I went to conventions to network and to try to get back into the comic field. I even offered to ink for free. But those offers weren’t taken, and comics seemed a closed door to me.

In 2014, a friend of mine had an accident, and I became his 24/7 caregiver until he passed away in 2016. Those were rough years.

From 2017 to 2019, I tried to get my life back together. But bad luck struck as my car’s transmission failed, costing me my job. I landed a new job, but it never gave me the full-time work I was promised. They finally terminated my employment, and to make matters worse, my landlord served me an eviction notice because I lost my job.

I just didn’t know what to do. I began to post about my situation online, and someone suggested I contact Hero Initiative to see if they could help me, and they did. Hero helped me with moving, rent, and car repair expenses so I wouldn’t end up homeless.

When I was young, growing up in a bad area of a city, I loved comics! They helped teach me right from wrong. A comic can change a person life, and their goals. I’d like to thank all the people who have helped Hero Initiative for learning these same lessons. It got me out of a rough spot. It saved me from losing everything and being homeless.

I’m 54 years old now. I still have ideas, projects, and artwork to show the fans. So, please, continue to support Hero Initiative. If you love anything about comics, especially the people who write, draw, ink, color, letter them, it’s the best thing you can do. I have done it in the past, and will still do it in the future.

Thank you.

—Timothy Dzon