Official Press Release

The Hero Initiative, the charitable organization dedicated to helping veteran comic creators in medical or financial need, is celebrating the 96th birthday of Jack "King" Kirby on August 28 with a little help from The King's family.

Hero has recruited over 40 artists to get up on the morning of August 28, 2013 to simply "Wake Up and Draw." This event is a way for artists to celebrate the day by sending a "birthday card to Jack." All drawings will be featured in a special gallery at ComicArtFans.com, and fans can follow the action through the day on Twitter searching hashtag: #WakeUpAndDraw. All drawings will be auctioned to benefit Hero Initiative at a later date!

Jillian Kirby, Jack's granddaughter, has spearheaded the "Kirby4Heroes" campaign. Jillian has recruited a number of comic stores throughout the country to donate a percentage of their sales to Hero on this special day. Many retailers have decided to "celebrate" with their own ideas, including hosting a "birthday party" for Jack, auctioning off original artwork, as well as other activities; all proceeds will go to the Hero Initiative in the name of the Kirby4Heroes campaign. Activities will grow yearly as we approach Jack's upcoming 100th birthday in 2017.

"I started the Kirby4Heroes campaign as a way to connect with my grandfather, who died the year before I was born," said Jillian Kirby. "I've grown so much closer to him through my endeavors in this area. I have to admit I'm astounded by him as an artist, family member, and just as a kind human being. Raising funds for those in the comic book industry in need of financial and medical assistance is a cause my grandfather Jack would have championed. He never turned his back on a person in need."

Fans can visit the official Kirby4Heroes campaign Facebook page and donate via the PayPal link at www.HeroInitiative.org. Please type in "Kirby4Heroes" in the special instructions box. A new video detailing the Kirby4Heroes campaign is also available for viewing.

A list of participating stores includes:

Jesse James Comics, Glendale AZ

Flying Colors Comics, Concord CA

Lee's Comics, Mountain View CA

Alakazam Comics, Irvine CA

Mission: Comics and Art, San Francisco CA

Golden Apple Comics, Los Angeles CA

The Secret Headquarters, Los Angeles CA

A&M Comics, Miami FL

Chimera's Comics, Lagrange IL

Aw Yeah Comics, Skokie IL

Graham Crackers Comics, Plainfield IL

Alternate Reality Comics, Las Vegas NV

Paradise Comics, Toronto, Ontario

Floating World Comics, Portland OR

Austin Books & Comics, Austin TX

New stores are being recruited each week.

About The Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial 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 all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.

Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $500,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354. For more information, please visit us at www.heroinitiative.org.