Our Mission
Helping Comic Creators in Need When Life Takes a Hard Turn
Hero Initiative helps comic book creators in need when life takes a hard turn. We step in to rescue them —right when they need it the most. Our mission is simple: to make sure the people who bring heroes to life get the help they need to keep going.
How We Help
How Hero Initiative Helps Comic Creators in Need
When comic book creators face serious challenges, Hero Initiative provides practical support that makes a real difference. Whether the crisis is medical, financial, or career-related, our programs are designed to help creators regain stability and move forward.
Medical Assistance
Access to vital healthcare and emergency medical aid.
Financial Assistance
Hero Initiative has paid for much-needed operations and medications, and even prosthetic limbs when insurance wouldn’t cover the cost.
Career Assistance
Hero Initiative has been fortunate enough to partner with a number of companies to line up new paying work for creators in need.
Medical Assistance
When Lives Are On The Line
When comic book creators face serious illness or injury, Hero Initiative helps cover the cost of urgent care—like cancer treatment, surgeries, or life-saving medications. We step in fast so creators can focus on healing, not hospital bills.
A Success Story
Artist Joe Phillips had a foot amputated, and was caught in an insurance snafu of Olympian proportions. Pay $5132 for a prosthetic leg, or wait an agonizing five months for his insurance to (hopefully) agree to cover it. With no money to pay, Joe turned to Hero Initiative, and he’s walking today.
Financial Assistance
When Livelihoods Are On The Line
Life can change in an instant. Storms, accidents, and sudden emergencies can leave creators struggling to stay afloat. Hero Initiative provides quick, practical help—keeping the lights on, the rent paid, and food on the table when it’s needed most.
A Success Story
Artist Dexter Vines had multiple myeloma—blood cancer that also weakens the bones. He was receiving treatment, but needed 90 days recovery in which he could not work owing to a broken back. With his mortgage in jeopardy, Hero Initiative stepped in to make Dexter’s payments so he could keep his home.
Career Assistance
When Dignity Is On The Line
When work disappears, Hero Initiative helps creators find new opportunities. We connect artists and writers with paying jobs in comics, games, and other industries—so they can keep creating and earning a living doing what they love.
A Success Story
Hero Initiative helped artist Peter Pantazis with mortgage assistance, and because more work is a good thing, when the Association of the United Stares Army needed artists for a series of Medal of Honor biography comics, Hero helped Peter land that coloring gig, which he’s still doing today.
Hero Initiative helped me get out of a homeless shelter and into an apartment, and even secure some regular freelance work.
When I had medical issues I couldn’t afford, Hero Initiative was there for me. Not just financially, but mentally as well. They helped me through bad situations. They are still helping me today.
Don Hillsman II
Inker | Scion, She-Hulk
I was in need of significant dental work, and later, my computer died and I could not afford to replace it. It was a huge relief; truly life-changing help at a time when I had no other resources.
Ronda Pattison
Colorist | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Maxx
I was diagnosed with COPD, an incurable disease that has taken its toll on me physically, and my family financially. We were about to lose our home when Hero Initiative stepped in and kept a roof over our head.
Thomas A. Tenney
Artist | Iron Man, Force Works
How It Works
Simple. Fast. Private.
Getting help from Hero Initiative is simple, fast, and private. If you’re a comic book creator facing a tough time, we’re here for you. Here’s what to expect when you reach out.
Get in touch
Reach out using our contact form to let us know you need help.
Describe your situation
Tell us what’s going on. Share any documents that explain the need.
We review
Our team reviews every request quickly and privately.
Help arrives
If approved, you’ll receive direct financial support from Hero Initiative.
Eligibility
Who Is Eligible?
Artist Mike Grell woke up one morning with a blistering fever and one eye paralyzed. It was cellulitis, and Grell spent 16 days hospitalized. He missed months of work and had a mountain of bills. He got in touch with Hero, and we were able to pay back rent and get him financially stabilized again.
Qualifications
An applicant must have been a working comic book writer, penciler, inker, colorist, or letterer on a work-for-hire basis for no less than 10 years since January 1, 1934.
Proof
An applicant must demonstrate to the Hero Disbursement Committee adequate evidence of financial need via verbal and written documentation.
Our Medical and Financial Advisors
League Of Heroes
Hero Initiative works with a trusted team of medical and financial professionals who volunteer their time to guide our support efforts. Their expertise helps ensure that every dollar goes where it’s needed most—quickly, responsibly, and with care.
Fred Chamberlain is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a masters degree in Counseling from Johnson State College. Fred has spent 30+ years working with individuals, groups and families with specialties including adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, stress and grief work, as well as experience with substance abuse and addictions. Fred assists Hero with client consultation, treatment and referrals.
Joe Davidson is an Enrolled Agent with over 15 years of tax preparation experience and Bachelor’s degrees in both Business Management and Business Accounting, In 2009, Joe founded Tax Advice Guys, offering clients the highest quality of customer service, and assistance in all of their tax needs, including representation, correspondence and, preparation and planning. He assists Hero with tax and finance matters.
Dr. Mauricio Heilbron is a fully boarded general, trauma, and vascular surgeon in Southern California where he performs complicated vascular surgeries involving aneurysms, dialysis and extremity bypasses. Dr. Heilbron has written numerous articles for Los Angeles area newspapers, and has won a Los Angeles Press Club Journalism Award. Dr. Heilbron assists Hero with patient consultations, diagnoses, treatment, and referrals for both government programs and physicians outside his geographic area or area or expertise.
Harlan Wenig is an independent financial advisor who works directly with clients towards their financial goals including retirement planning, asset preservation, and estate planning through the use of various investment vehicles including: annuities (variable, fixed, and indexed), non-traded REITs, mutual funds, individual equities, life insurance, disability insurance and other types of investments for both retirement plans (IRAs, 401(k)s, etc.) and non-qualified accounts. Harlan holds Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, in addition to multiple state insurance licenses. He assists Hero with financial planning matters.
Your Time and Talent Can Change Everything. Become a Hero Initiative Advisor.
You have the power to change a creator’s life. When you volunteer your time or share your skills—whether it’s medical, financial, or career-related—you become part of their comeback story. These are the people who shaped your imagination. Now, you get to be the hero who helps them through their toughest chapter.
What impact has the Hero Initiative had so far?
Since 2000, Hero Initiative has helped around 100 comic creators with more than $1 million in financial support—covering essentials like rent, medical bills, and urgent living expenses. This aid has changed lives, from helping legends like Gene Colan with critical medical costs to ensuring many creators can stay in their homes or return to work. Your donation has a real, lasting impact on the people who built the comics we love.
Is the Hero Initiative a registered nonprofit? Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Hero Initiative is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (legal name: A Commitment To Our Roots, Inc.), so your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law. We provide an itemized receipt for all contributions—cash or in-kind. For non-cash items like artwork or collectibles, we can describe the item on your receipt, but you’ll need to determine its value with a tax professional.
Can I make a recurring or monthly donation to Hero Initiative?
Yes. You can set up a recurring monthly donation by going to our donation page here or through workplace giving programs that deduct a small amount from each paycheck. Get more info on that here. Monthly gifts—no matter the size—provide steady, reliable support that truly adds up for creators in need.
If I’m a creator who needs help, can my matter remain confidential?
Yes. We always appreciate people spreading the good word, but we’re not out to make your private business a matter for public consumption. Any disclosure is strictly the recipient’s decision.
How quickly does Hero Initiative help creators in need?
It varies, and we encourage people not to wait until the last minute. But in some cases, 24 hours or less.
giving makes you part of the story
Donors say giving to Hero Initiative made them feel deeply connected to the creators who shaped their lives.
“I donate to Hero Initiative because the creators of some of the most iconic characters in American culture were created by men and women who never received appropriate compensation for their contributions to the world.”
Sean Brandt
Northridge, CA
“I donate to Hero Initiative because everyone deserves to live with dignity. Helping the people whose words and art have brought me inestimable joy over the decades when they need it most makes me feel just the tiniest bit heroic.”
Steve Olle
Baltimore, MD
It’s Life-Saving Impact
YOU Can Make
Your support helps creators keep creating. Be the reason a story gets told. Make a difference—change a life.
