Hero Initiative

The Hero Initiative is a not-for-profit corporation that provides a financial safety net for comic creators. It is the first such organization to be federally chartered. It was founded in late 2000 by a consortium of concerned publishers including Marvel Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Wizard Entertainment, CrossGen Comics and Dynamic Forces, Inc. Despite occasionally releasing special variant editions of comics through the Hero Initiative, DC Comics is not directly affiliated with it.

The initiative is meant to help financially remunerate comic book creators who were often underpaid or uncredited for their work in the early days of comics, and who may not have been allowed to retain rights to their creations. To be eligible for the Hero Initiative's financial assistance, an applicant must have been a working comic book writer, penciler, inker, colorist or letterer on a work-for-hire basis for no less than 10 years since January 1, 1934. This aid can be used for such things as paying medical bills, rent, or assisting in finding further work in the comics industry. Aid is provided on a temporary basis.

The Initiative's board of directors is made up of many industry professionals such as Joe Quesada, George Pérez, Dennis O'Neil, and Roy Thomas.