Artists unite for Hero Initiative scheme

The Hero Initiative has teamed up with Marvel Comics to launch a charity scheme dubbed the 'The New Avengers 100 Project'.

Marvel has donated 100 blank-covered cardstock copies of New Avengers #1 for dozens of high-profile artists to create alternate covers for the book.

Illustrators including Howard Chaykin, Ian Churchill, Mike Deodato, Terry Dodson, Steve Epting, Dave Gibbons, John Romita, Adam Kubert and more are taking part in the scheme. Their designs will be complied in a book, slated for release next year. All proceeds will go to the Hero Initiative.

"Every year, these projects get me back to the drawing board to work on some of my favourite characters," said Romita. "We have a great lineup of artists slated, and it's even more fun for me to see the great covers come in than it is to draw my own."

Marvel publisher and CEO Dan Buckley added: "The Hero Initiative does important work for some of our most treasured creators and Marvel's glad to be part of that. Taking the hottest franchise in comics - The Avengers - and combining it with the top talent in the industry is a win all around."

The Hero Initiative is the first federally chartered non-profit corporation dedicated to the comic book industry. The organisation provides financial support for struggling creators to fund emergency medical aid and life essentials.