Now on sale: THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 100 PROJECT softcover edition!

Above: Cover to the softcover edition of THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 100 PROJECT.

I knew that the hardcover edition of this baby was on sale. Looks like (the softcover edition of) THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 100 PROJECT SC (2011) is now on sale at finer comic shops, too.

1st printing. See them here for the first and only time! All of Hero Initiative's 100-plus covers to DC Comics' Justice League of America #50 are on display in this great book, with art from Mark Bagley, Alan Davis, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, George Pérez, Frank Quitely, John Romita, Sr., Alex Ross, and more! See all the covers, along with a special behind-the-scenes section showing developmental art and more! Softcover, 120 pages, PC/PB&W. NOTE: Also featuring art by Gerry Acerno, Sergio Aragones, Franco Aureliana, Art Baltazar, Nick Bradshaw, Ryan Benjamin, Joe Benitez, Jim Calafiore, Yildiray Cinar, Mark Dos Santos, Tony Fleeces, Rich Koslowski, Vassilis Gogtzilas & Sam Kieth, Cully Hamner, Jamal Igle, Scott Koblish, Derek Fridolfs, Mike Kunkel, Joseph Michael Linsner, Jeff Lemerie, Francis Manapul, Al Milgrom, Bill Morrison, Al Nickerson, Don Perlin, Dan Panosian, Francis Portella, Norm Rapmund, Tone Rodriguez, Stuart Sayger, Aaron Sowd, Ardian Syaf, Matt Wagner, Chrissy Zullo, Charlie Adlard, Mike Grell, Dan Brereton, Javier Bergantino (Bit), Dave Bullock, Anthony Castrillo, Chris Ivy, Ramon Fernandez Bachs, Dean Haspiel, Ryan Cody, Joe Jusko, JG Jones, Tim Kelly & Sam Kieth, Scott Kolins, Chris Moreno, Steve Kurth, Rick Leonardi, Aaron Lopresti, Tom Mandrake, Peter Krause, Marat Mychaels, Craig Rousseau, Tony Parker, Pere Perez, Sean Phillips, Joe Prado, Jerry Ordway, Patrick Scherberger, Jim Valentino, Billy Tucci, Andy Smith, Bob Wiacek, Rafael Albuquerque, Ben Bates, Brett Breeding, Jason Bone, Mark Buckingham, Stephanie Buscema, Victor Castro & Mark McKenna, Fernando Dagnino, Leandro Fernandez, Agnes Garbowska, RM Guéra, Gene Ha, Fred Hembeck, Dan Jurgens, Andy Kuhn, Ken Lashley, Doug Mahnke, John McCrea, Justin Norman (Moritat), Rob Osborne, David Nakayama, Gordon Purcell, Mike Perkins, Walt Simonson, Scott Rosema, Alex Saviuk, Goran Suzdka, Cory Walker, Tim Seeley & Mike Norton. Cover price $12.99.

Now on sale: THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 100 PROJECT hardcover book!

Above: Cover to THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 100 PROJECT hardcover book.

Order now:

See them here for the FIRST and ONLY time! ALL of Hero Initiative’s 100+ original covers to DC Comics’ Justice League of America #50 are on display in this great book, with art by Mark Bagley, Alan Davis, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, George Pérez, Frank Quitely, John Romita Sr., Alex Ross and MORE! See all the covers, along with a special behind-the-scenes section showing developmental art and MORE! This LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER is limited to only 500 copies worldwide, and is only available via The Hero Initiative at comic conventions and live events or Graham Crackers! Don't blow your chance! NOTE: Through special arrangement with DC Comics, there will be ONLY ONE PRINTING OF THIS BOOK EVER! Get it now so you don’t blow your chance! 120 pages squarebound full-color $30

Date Available: 11/30/2011



Above: My "original cover" contribution to THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 100 PROJECT. Click here for a larger view.

Bunch of Archie stuff now on sale!

The (really) second story in WORLD OF ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #7, "Sale Tale," is inked by myself and penciled by Fernando Ruiz.



The second story in ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #4, "The Dilton Doiley Story," is inked by myself and penciled by the great Fernando Ruiz. Now on sale, by the way.

Some weeks back, I received my comp copy of ARCHIE: 50 TIMES AN AMERICAN ICON (which includes my Hero Initiative ARCHIE #600 "original cover"). The book is being offered in both hardcover and softcover. You can find ordering info here at the Hero Initiative blog .

First ever DC Comics and Hero Initiative collaboration: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50...

Above: Alex Ross’ JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50 original cover.

A collection of 100 Covers from Top artists around the world!

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 1, 2011) – The Hero Initiative, a charity dedicated to helping comic creators in medical or financial need, most proudly announces their new partnership in the Justice League Of America #50 project with DC Comics. This is the first collaboration with DC comics ever and Hero is chomping at the bit to pull the collection together. The call has gone out and dozens of artists are putting pen to paper. DC has generously donated 100 blank-covered cardstock copies of Justice League Of America #50 to Hero, and work is being created by well-known stars such as Jim Lee, Alex Ross, George Perez, Jason Bone, Jim Valentino, and many many more.



Above: My JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50 "original cover." Click here for a larger view.

"Tragic Genius: Wally Wood"

Above: Self-portrait by Wally Wood.

Jim McLauchlin writes about the life, career, and death of Wally Wood with "Tragic Genius: Wally Wood."

From Jim McLauchlin:

It's the text of the Wally Wood feature I just wrote for Wizard #228. I found the piece very difficult to write. The subject matter is not always very pleasant. But I hope that in the end, you as a reader will get a circumspect view of Wood, and see the amazing warmth and his genius that accompanied his tragic, but very human, flaws.

More Hero Initiative sketchcards...

I drew two more sketchcards for 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 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.

My Secret Invasion...

I will be working with Comic Art House in selling some of my original comic book artwork. This will include pages that I worked on for DC Comics, Warp Graphics, Archie Comics, and other art. Once the pages are posted on the InterWeb, I’ll let everyone know where to purchase the art.

In recent months, I’ve been blessed to contribute artwork to Hero Initiative in the likes of sketchcards and original comic book covers. Doing so encouraged me in to sell some of my comic book art.



Above: Front cover to Al Nickerson’s SECRET INVASION #1 original comic book cover.

Cartoonists sketching original comic book covers seem to be all the rage. I figured I’d see what all the hubbub was all about. Above is my first SECRET INVASION #1 original comic book cover. I was thinking of using a theme like "Who SHOULD have been a Skrull." Here, Nihilist-Man is beating the tar out of some guy in armor. My SECRET INVASION #1 original comic book cover will be sold through Comic Art House, as well.



Above: Back cover to Al Nickerson’s SECRET INVASION #1 original comic book cover.



Above: Al’ sketch for the cover.

Nihilist-Man is TM and © 2010 Albert Gordon Nickerson Jr.. Other characters are TM and © 2010 by someone else.

Hero Initiative's "Archie 50 Hub"...

Above: George Perez’s Hero Initiative ARCHIE #600 "original cover" contribution.

Hero Initiative has created it’s "Archie 50 Hub" webpage where folks can find ongoing news information and links to articles concerning the "50 new Archie covers by 50 great artists will benefit Hero Initiative" project.

50 new Archie covers by 50 great artists will benefit Hero Initiative...

Above: Al Nickerson's Hero Initiative ARCHIE #600 "original cover." Click here for a larger version.

The Hero Initiative (a worthwhile charity in the comic book industry) is doing a new "original cover" project with Archie Comics. This project will use 50 artists drawing original covers for ARCHIE #600 (the "Archie Gets Married Part 1: The Proposal" issue). Each comic book will be auctioned off to generate funds for Hero Initiative.

The Hero Initiative (God bless them) had asked me to draw one of the ARCHIE #600 original cover comics, and I was very happy to contribute. The front cover has the Shield reacting to Archie and Veronica’s wedding announcement. The back cover is my tribute to Dan DeCarlo (the creator of Josie and the Pussycats) with my interpretation of Josie. This is the first time (I think) that I ever drew Josie.

Anyway, I felt like sharing because my Josie (and the Pussycats) back cover is kinda rock n’ roll. Plus, tipping-the-hat to Dan DeCarlo seems like the right thing to do, especially with such an important project as this one.

From Hero Initiative:

Los Angeles, CA (March 24, 2010): Archie and the whole Riverdale gang certainly are heroes. Now they’re joining forces to aid cartoonists in need.

Archie Comics is teaming up with the Hero Initiative, the charity dedicated to helping comic creators in medical or financial need, for an amazing artistic extravaganza involving the premier issue of the world-renowned Archie wedding series, Archie #600. Archie Comics has printed 50 blank-covered copies of the landmark book, and Hero will have 50 stellar artists do original Archie covers on the special edition books. The originals will be auctioned off at a later date to benefit Hero, and a book will be published, collecting all 50 covers.

Superstar artists such as Neal Adams, Darwyn Cooke, Sam Kieth, Jerry Ordway, George Pérez, John Romita, Tim Sale and more are all contributing to the project, "Archie Covers: Fifty Times an American Icon." More artistic surprises are yet in store, as artists from the animation world and even underground comics will be making contributions as well!

"I’ve been in comics for 35 years, and this is the first chance I’ve had to draw Archie ‘for real,’" said legendary Marvel/DC artist and Hero board member George Pérez. "And given that opportunity, I’d be foolish not to draw the stunning Betty and Veronica as well! It’s a lot of fun, a great opportunity, and of course, a great cause. I hope everyone enjoys these covers!"

"Archie Comics is committed to supporting those who have spent their lives as the cornerstone of the comics industry. We are thrilled to be working with the Hero Initiative on this project," remarks Co-CEO Jon Goldwater. "The covers have been remarkable and we can’t wait to see what the remaining artists have in store for their edition of the Hero covers for Archie #600."

Each original cover will be auctioned off via eBay.com at a future date. A release date for the book is also pending. Stay tuned! You will not want to miss out on these amazing once-in-a-lifetime covers!

About The Hero Initiative:

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strict 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 $400,000 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.

Update:

Jim McLauchlin of Hero Initiative talks with Newsarama about the 50 ARCHIE #600 original cover project.

The last of my Hero Initiative sketchcards...

Even more of my Hero Initiative sketchcards...

More of my Hero Initiative sketchcards...

I drew some sketchcards...

The Hero Initiative had asked me to draw some sketchcards. The the charity’s sketchcards are illustrated by cartoonists, which are then given to Hero Initiative members. The Hero Initiative is a worthwhile organization, and I was pleased to contribute.

In producing my Hero Initiative sketchcards, I used blue pencil, brush, a bit of Sharpie, and some inky water. I’ll be posting a few cards at a time over the next several days.

If you like to draw comics and if you would like to help, then please contribute sketchcards (or anything else) to 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 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.

Hero Initiative sketchcards...

Above: Hero Initiative sketchcards by artists Chris Ivy, John Romita, George Perez, and Tone Rodriguez.

Greetings fellow cartoonists,

I wanted to let you know of a great cause involving Hero Initiative. I spoke with Jim McLauchlin. He told me about the Hero Initiative sketchcards. These cards are illustrated by cartoonists, which are then given to Hero Initiative members.

If you like to draw comics and if you would like to help, then please contribute sketchcards to Hero Initiative.

For more information about the Hero Initiative sketchcards, go here:

http://heroinitiative.org/Content.asp?Id=45

Many thanks.

God bless. Holy is Yeshua! :)

best,
Al Nickerson
http://alnickerson.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/Al_Nickerson
http://www.arggh.com
http://www.yacanteraseink.com