LOS ANGELES (June 17, 2008) – In the spirit of all things green and purple (or red!), The Hero Initiative brings you yet another fantastic opportunity to own one of the first ten exclusive Hulk #1 covers! The auction will take place on-site at this year’s Wizard World Chicago, which runs from June 26 to June 29.

The first ten covers include the following fabulous talent:

Chris Bachalo
Tom Brevoort
Michael Choi
Alan Davis
Mike Deodato
Leonard Kirk
Joseph Michael Linsner
Whilce Portacio
Javier Pulido
Arthur Suydam

"I'm happy and proud one of my covers is being auctioned off first. I have always loved the Hulk. When I was a kid my father used to call me the Hulk, because I was a big clod who broke everything I came into contact with. Hero is a great cause, and I am glad to help out," said Joseph Michael Linsner.

Visit http://heroinitiative.org/NewsDetail.asp?NewsId=141 for more information and to view the covers. Proxy bidding will also be available for interested bidders unable to attend Wizard World Chicago. Visit the link for full information on proxy bidding.

Hero plans to auction off the rest of the covers in the near future via eBay, as well as release a book of all 100 covers in December, so keep your eyes peeled at either www.heroinitiative.org or sign up for our Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/heroinitiative/.

In addition, all 100 covers will be on display for the ONLY time at a special gala “Green Room” event on Thursday, June 26. You can get tickets to this event only at Wizard World Chicago. And your ticket also gets you a chance at a one-of-a-kind Hulk collectible!

The Green Room will be a star-studded event, with talent on hand to include Mike Perkins, Arthur Suydam, Peter David, Angel Medina, Tim Seeley, David Finch, and more. A cash bar will be available. But don’t sleep on it! A strict limit of 200 admission tickets ONLY will be sold!

Admission is a mere $5, OR $3 if you wear purple pants, FREE if you wear torn-up purple pants! Tickets will be on-sale starting at 6 PM at the door at rooms 4/5. And be advised: ONLY 200 tickets will be sold!

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 yesterdays' 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. For more information, call 310-909-7809 or visit www.HeroInitiative.org.