A Tribute to the World's Greatest Heroes
9/21 1:15 AM
©2001 Comic Shop News, Inc. ARR.

Joe Quesada has always had a deep admiration and respect for firefighters -- his character, Ash, was a fireman, and Quesada has worked with various conventions to organize fundraisers for firefighters. Now, as Marvel editor-in-chief, Quesada is organizing a major tribute for the firefighters and law enforcement personnel who risked -- and in many cases sacrificed -- their lives to save others during the World Trade Center disaster.

"The concept is very simple," Quesada told CSNsider. "The world's greatest super-hero creators honoring the world's greatest Heroes!

"The book is a sixty-four page poster style magazine. Artists are asked to contribute an image that portrays our American heroes. I've discouraged use of Marvel heroes for the obvious reasons but some artists are choosing to use them anyway. Writers are being asked to contribute a sentence a paragraph or what have you that is suitable for the moment -- inspirational hopefully.

"Diamond had given us a quick solicitation and Quebecor and ACG have given us free press time. The book will most likely retail for about $3.50. Marvel will overprint and have plenty in stock so that retailers an order comfortably. All proceeds will go to the FDNY, NYPD and a smaller portion to the Red Cross. The book will be on sale October 17th.

"Artists are asked to donate the original art, and we will have an auction as well for the above charities. Creators involved as of today Stan Lee, John Romita Sr., Frank Miller, Todd McFarlane, Alex Ross, George Perez, Stuart Immonen, Jae Lee, Ethan Van Sciver, Nelson, Fabian Nicieza, Kurt Busiek, Michael Golden, Frank Quietly, Phil Winslade, David Mack, Brian Bendis, Chuck Austen, Joe Casey, Sean Chen, Alan Davis, Mark Bagley, Greg & Tim Hildebrandt, myself and many more that I'm forgetting at this moment.

"Tell everyone that this is one time that I want people to buy three or four copies!"

Marvel's benefit book is the first of several fund-raising and benefit projects that comic creators are working on; (see CSN News Central for more) look for more information on other projects in upcoming CSNsider.