Comics (and Creators) Can Cure -- Adi Granov Edition

Re-post from Agent M via Forces of Geek. Visit http://www.justgiving.com/thoughtbubble to donate.

Artist Adi Granov and his wife Tamsin Isles are raising money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care in Bradford, UK by selling raffle tickets online as well as at the comic book festival, Thought Bubble, in Leeds (Nov. 18-21). As an incentive to reach their goal of $2000 pounds, Adi has generously donated his original art work of the double cover of Incredible Hercules #138 (shown below) as the winning prize.

NOTE: While No Cure For Comics fully endorses this and every other noble effort on the part of the comic book community to raise money and awareness for any and all charitable causes, we don't actually have anything to do with this particular drive. Doesn't make it or Adi's artwork any less awesome, though, so go help make a difference!

What's in a Name?

At this point, if you know this site, it is probably because you knew it before -- when I was blogging for myself, writing reviews of my weekly pull or ranting/raving about some nerdy subject just to pass the time and revel in my own escapism. No Cure For Comics was the right name at the right time for that thing.

But this is a new thing. I intend for it to be a good thing...and maybe even a big thing. And common sense (not just my own) suggests this new thing should have a new name.

My hope is that the entire comic book community will answer my call to action in some way, and now I'm opening the door for that community to contribute at the ground level by helping name the movement. Vote in the sidebar survey (poll will be open through November), comment on this post, or e-mail me directly.

The final choice will be mine, but the greater responsibility is ours, so you will be heard.

Let's give it a name and start doing some good!

OUR MISSION

Children, teens, and even adults are empowered from the first moment they crack open a comic book. To venture into the world of sequential storytelling and 4-color champions is to be transported to a world where there is always hope against even the most impossible threats and where, in brightest days and blackest nights alike, if there’s the will, there’s a way. And when it comes to sick or disabled children and teens (and yes, even adults), comics can serve as a vehicle for some much needed escapism from a harsh reality, an outlet and inspiration for creative expression during dark times too difficult to put into words alone, and a source for that impossible hope and indomitable will from which true miracles are born.

Our mission is simple. Our goal is to leverage the power, compassion, and creativity of the comic book community to support hospitals and care centers across the country through monetary and comic-related material donations (graphic novels, motion comics, dvds, toys, etc), fundraising events (in-store creator signings, sponsored movie screenings, collector auctions, etc), and charity publications.

Even people outside of the comic book community know these wise words that drive the heroics of a particular friendly neighborhood comic book icon: “With great power must also come great responsibility.” Comic book readers, retailers, and creators have the power to band together as champions, defenders, and guardians for those who need it most. We're is asking them—and you—to accept the responsibility.

Matt Bergin, Founder
October 2010

CALL TO ACTION

Comic books aren't cheap. Being a geek is expensive. Fanboys and fangirls spend so much time and money on kitsch and fluff, stuff and nonsense, and pricey toys for boys and girls of all ages that adding an extra buck to the weekly pull-list budget or rounding off the cost of that life-size stuffed Jawa to the nearest dollar wouldn't make a single one of them blink.

BUT what if that exta dollar a week went toward the fight to cure autism? What if it went toward the expansion of the pediatric center of a cancer hospital? What if the extra dollar thrown into the pot by a thousand geeks every week for a month went to help just one sick child with limited health insurance get the treatment she needs?

Don't give that money to us. Give it to them. Or find some other way to channel your creativity to help them. Just do something. There will be plenty of time for your own escapism after you spend a few moments (and hopefully a few pennies) improving someone else's reality.