New York, NY- July 23, 2008—Marvel Entertainment, in conjunction with Total Recall Learning (http://www.totalrecalllearning.com), The Elks Drug Awareness Program and The San Diego County Office of Education announced the HARD CHOICES program at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

Utilizing an enhanced Marvel Comic, this summer program promotes the perils of underage drinking to all students who visit http://www.marvel.com/hardchoices. Designed to educate fourth-through-eighth graders, this program incorporates Total Recall Learning (a San Diego based company), offering a revolutionary online program that increases memory retention and speed of learning through eidetic recollection.

“We’re excited to partner with such a socially conscious program,” said Marvel President & Publisher Dan Buckley. “Marvel has a long standing tradition of working to educate all our readers about the perils of drug abuse, so this was a natural collaboration for us.”

This sweepstakes, open only to students at participating San Diego County schools, features one-of-a-kind Grand Prize: being drawn into a Marvel Comic! Additionally, the winning student will earn free subscription to a Marvel Comic for their entire homeroom—and a visit by Spider-Man himself! Plus, all students that get 44 questions correct at the third learning level will also earn a free one year subscription to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited! While the sweepstakes is only open to San Diego County school students, all visitors may utilize the learning tools and share with their fellow classmates.

Visitors to Comickaze, located in San Diego, may also pick up a free copy of Hard Choices, featuring Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. "Comickaze constantly looks for opportunities to work within our community and to be chosen to team with industry leaders like Marvel Comics, TRL and an organization like the Elks to reach out to San Diego youth is something I could not be more excited about", said Robert Scott, Owner of Comickaze Comics Books and more.

To learn more about Comickaze, visit http://www.comickaze.com.

Please visit http://www.marvel.com/hardchoices & http://www.elks.org/drugs for more information and details on how to become a hero in your homeroom!