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Wolverine: weapon X 100 Project
by Josh Crawley
I want you buy comics and be entertained when I write these columns; usually. this time around though, it’s a little different. It’s more along the lines of asking you to buy a cool sketchbook or anthology and not just be entertained, but to do some good while you’re entertained.
The Hero initiative is a charity that “creates a financial safety net for comic creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work.” So it isn’t just a handout; it’s about helping people who want to work again.
One of the ways they raise funds is various “100 Project” books. how do the projects work? marvel Comics prints up and donates 100 blank covers of a particular issue of a recent comic of theirs, they get distributed to artists, and the 100 different original sketched covers are then auctioned off. Now, I don’t have the money for one of those books, nor do I expect you to. thanks to everyone involved, though, most – if not all – of the covers (but not the interiors) are reproduced in a handy dandy book that looks great on a bookshelf. I would also recommend not waiting too long to order these; they are limited to the first printings, then they’re gone! (The Hulk 100 project has sold out, though the ultimate Spider-Man 100 project is still available).
This month we’re offering (for preorder) a book about someone I feel has been far too over-exposed for his own good, but I’ll be buying this book myself none-the-less: the Wolverine 100 Project. For some samples, click here. My favorite preview so far isn’t actually on the Hero initiative website yet; it’s over on Terry Dodson’s blog <>!
Another book whose proceeds support the Hero initiative is the 3 minute Sketchbook.
If you’ll allow me, a (not as quick as I’d hoped) quick aside: this past free Comic book Day, thanks to all of our great customers, we were able to raise over $600 for the Hero Initiative. I asked a bunch of local artists (who are also customers) to draw up some sketch cards (on paper I purchased and had cut down to trading card size, which makes it a lot easier on the out-of-pocket budget, compared to pre-printed and pre-cut Blue Line pro sketch cards), and in a blind draw (cards were face down and in Ultra pro top Loaders, which they got to keep), allowed customers to pick one for a $5 donation, or five for $20. There was no limit to the donation nor to how many customers could choose. Our system ran pretty well, but there was one hiccup: we didn’t have enough cards! The first half hour was pretty slow, but within about three hours after, we had gone through well over 100 cards. I’ll know better for next year. If you’re interested, we may even be able to work out a system on our website for mail-order donations for FCBD sketch cards. and before I forget, a special awesome thanks to all our artists (some of whom have their cards posted): Jeff Butler, WC Carani, Nick Choles, Jordan Gunderson, Jeffrey Moy , Isaac Owens , Vinod Rams, and I’m pretty sure I forgot one or two; so sorry!
Liberty Comics #2
The Comic book legal defense Fund, also known as the CBLDF or the Fund for short, is “dedicated to the preservation of first Amendment rights for members of the comics community.” There are numerous cases over the years they’ve been a part of, and I would strongly suggest checking out their website for more information.
One easy way to help the Fund out is with liberty Comics: A CBLDF benefit #2 (also available in the two-cover set variety. I know the highlight of this comic for me is going to be the superstar tag-team of Neil Gaiman writing and (newly-married; congratulations!) Jim Lee drawing six pages together! even if those two aren’t your cup of tea, I’m sure you can find something you enjoy.
This column was brought to you, in part, by capital Brewery Island Wheat Ale . feel free to contact me with column ideas, comics for review, comments, concerns, corrections, questions, or even just your favorite beer. Be sure it says ATTN: JOSH otherwise there may be issues involving me living up to that “Masters of Disaster” tag I’ve gotten. If you just want more of me running my mouth, check Twitter.com/joshcrawley.
josh@westfieldcomics.com
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Josh Crawley is the tenured Master of disaster at Westfield Comics, so you should watch yourself.
Purchase
Wolverine 100 Project
Liberty Comics: A CBLDF benefit #2
Liberty Comics: A CBLDF benefit #2 two-cover set