As a lifelong comic fan and co-host of the podcast I’ve had the great fortune to attend many comic book conventions around the country. From tiny hotel meeting rooms, VFW halls, city convention spaces to Comicon International in San Diego I’ve seen four hour shows all the way to four day shows. The one thing I will say about them all is that they each have a unique vibe and flavor. Some hit the mark with guests, panel content, product, and atmosphere and some take the big box approach and simply facilitate a weekend long pop-up shop for vinyl toys and prints. One of the shows that gets it was the most recent convention I attended, Planet Comicon in Kansas City. Jerry, John, and I had the pleasure of seeing so many of our friends in the creator community. There were many aisleway conversations and hugs all weekend long, and the prevailing atmosphere was one of immense encouragement by and for each other. This sentiment was extended toward us and the podcast countless times reminding us how lucky we are to be counted as a part of the tribe.

After the convention we began talking about the different ways we could help the creator community at large above and beyond the work we do for the Hero Initiative. In the past we’ve invested in Kickstarters, basing our selections on topics and art which are interesting to one or all of us. Moving forward we’ll have a new tab along the top of our landing page highlighting the Kickstarters we’re backing with the most recent project at the top of the page. As with the rest of the industry there is so much content out today trying to support every project and book is impossible. Helping our friends get their work out into the world is something we’re passionate about though and we hope you’ll follow, support, and suggest projects so we can all have more comics in our lives.

We’ve also added a link along the right hand side of our home page under the Favorite Sites! column highlighting a new non-profit with the intent of elevating new creators with a financial grant and mentoring support by comic industry veterans. From their website; “The goal of the Creators for Creators grant is to help pave the way for the next generation of comics creators by supporting their work financially and through mentorship, as well as providing opportunities for their creations to reach a wide audience. We plan to give $30,000 to a single cartoonist or writer/artist duo in order to support the creation of a new and original work of a length between sixty-four and one hundred pages over the course of a single year. The recipient will be selected by committee according to rigorous criteria. In addition to the monetary support, the recipient of the grant will have access to mentorship from the experienced creators involved with Creators for Creators. Mentorship will cover almost every aspect of the comic-creating experience. The goal is to give the recipient a firm foundation in the creative, business, legal, and financial areas of the comics business.”

Additionally we’re still doing everything we can to highlight and support the Hero Initiative and its charter. Since the federally recognized non-profit began it has granted over $700,000 to over 50 comic book veterans who have created the industry we all love and benefit from today. Even if you think your donation of time or money is insignificant remember that a co-pay for a prescription is between $5 – $10. The co-pay could be the difference required for a higher quality of life for your favorite artist or writer. Every little bit helps.

Thank you for all of the support you give us. Everyone here at the podcast loves comics and the people who make them. Please take a moment and support your friends through one of the ways mentioned above. We’re all in this together.

Categories: Cullen

Tags: Brian K Vaughan, C Spike Trotman, Charlie Adlard, Creators For Creators, David Brothers, Declan Shalvey, Eric Stephenson, Fiona Staples, Jamie McKelvie, Joe Keatinge, Jonathan Hickman, Jordie Bellaire, Kelly Sue Deconnick, Kickstarter, Kieron Gillen, Leila del Duca, Matt Fraction, Nick Dragotta, Planet Comicon, Rick Remender, Robert Kirkman, The Hero Initiative