STAN LEE GUESTS STARS IN ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIPJoins with Creators for Hero Initiative Benefit
Stan Lee, comic book creator, spokesman and living legend, is adding another to his illustrious list of credits: comic strip guest star. The entertainment industry icon, who recently was a comic book co-star in Marvel Comics’ STAN LEE MEETS... series, drops in on the regular cast of ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIP in the February 28, 2007 cover date issue of Antique Trader to help raise both money and awareness for the Hero Initiative, the first 501(c)(3) not-for-profit group dedicated to helping comic creators in need.
ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIP is a Sunday-size comic strip that runs in each issue of Antique Trader, the weekly journal which has served collectors for more than 50 years. The creation of writer J.C. Vaughn and artists Brendon and Brian Fraim, Antiques features an intriguing romantic triangle set against the backdrop of the largest collectibles auction ever held.
Lee, Vaughn and the Fraim brothers will sign the one-of-a-kind original art, which will be then auctioned off at the Baltimore Comic-Con (September 8-9, 2007) with all the proceeds going to the Hero Initiative. Additionally, Vaughn and the Fraim brothers will donate their fee for that strip as well.
“Helping out our fellow creators is a totally worthwhile cause and it’s something that really means a lot to me," Lee said. “When Brendon, Brian and J.C asked if I’d mind appearing in ANTIQUES I was flattered and glad to do so, but when it turned into a chance to assist the Hero Initiative, I was really excited; it was sort of like grabbing the brass ring! The Hero Initiative is something to which all True Believers should give their wholehearted support. Nuff said!”
“One of the main reasons we came up with Antiques was to help get comics outside of their traditional venues. No individual has done more of that than Stan Lee, and we’re thrilled to combine efforts with him to call attention to comic strips, comic books, and the Hero Initiative,” Vaughn said.
“We’re glad that Stan Lee, Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim and J.C. Vaughn have come together to create this special opportunity through ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIP to raise both awareness and money for The Hero Initiative,” said Jim McLauchlin, the organization’s President.
Additional information about the auction and other Hero Initiative events at the Baltimore Comic-Con will follow.
Stan Lee set the standard for how generations have perceived superheroes when he created or co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and many other characters for Marvel Comics. In addition to permanently changing the comic book world, he helped facilitate the multi-media acceptance of comic book characters. Most recently he created and hosted the hit reality series Who Wants To Be A Superhero?, the second season of which will debut in Summer 2007 on the Sci Fi Channel.
J.C. Vaughn is the Executive Editor/Associate Publisher of Gemstone Publishing, home of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, Hake’s Price Guide To Character Toys, The Official Price Guide To Disney Collectibles, The EC Archives, Disney comics and other projects. He is the co-writer of the comic book incarnation of the hit Fox show 24, and co-created Antiques: The Comic Strip with Brendon and Brian Fraim.
Brendon and Brian Fraim are the artists of the acclaimed online daily comic strip America, Jr. Their work has been seen regularly in the long-running Knights of the Dinner Table, as well as the Random House novel Wolf Boy, the benefit anthology ACTOR Comics Presents, and Sean McKeever’s The Waiting Place Vol. 1.
Published by F+W Publications, Antique Trader has been a prominent voice in the antiquing and collecting worlds for 50 years. With a combination of feature articles, interviews, and news, it is printed weekly and is available by subscription.
For additional information on Stan Lee, visit www.powentertainment.com.
For additional information on J.C. Vaughn visit www.welldefined.blogspot.com.
For additional information on Brendon & Brian Fraim, visit www.brosfraim.com.
For additional information on the Hero Initiative, visit www.heroinitiative.org.
For additional information on Antique Trader, visit http://www.antiquetrader.com/.
