JR JR Is a Marvel of a Man (...and a Very Manly Marvel)!

via Bleeding Cool

John Romita Jr may not be a super hero, but he has a big heart and super stamina. The co-creator of Kick Ass and longtime Marvel artist is going to attempt to break his own decade-old Guinness World Record for continual cartooning (there's a record for everything, isn't there? [yes]) to raise money for Heroes For Jordan and Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.

Heroes For Jordan was set up to secure medical treatment for his twelve year old niece Jordan Alyssa Atherton for the effects of cancer therapy and surgery as a young child. It will also raise money with Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada raises much needed funds to assist other children suffering the effects of cancer.

JR JR's feat will start on Friday, May 4, at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip in the Showcase Mall, to coincide with the release of Hit Girl #1, the Avengers movie, and Free Comic Book Day on May the 5th.

Marvel Heroes Are Helpful, Too!

While DC and the Justice League have been off trying to end hunger in Africa, it looked like Marvel was going to happily sit back and focus on simply ending the hunger of fanboys going giggity for the new Avengers movie. But rest assured--Marvel Super Heroes SAVE LIVES! Specifically, they help save the lives of cancer patients via St. Baldrick's Foundation.

Proceeds raised for the charity from the sale of this Stan-tastic t-shirt bearing the awesome assemblage of Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America go toward the org's efforts to conquer kid's cancer. So you should buy one. Go do that.

Don't worry--there's an Avenger's movie ad on the site in case you need a helping of noncharity hype to help you through the transaction.

The Empire Strikes BOOK

DK Publishing announced today that it has donated $95,000 in children's books on behalf of the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion--the Star Wars cosplay groups you've seen marching through comic conventions for years alongside the amateur bikini Leias and Jedi. The donation was made to The Today Show Charitable Foundation, Inc., who dispersed over 7k books to The Pajama Program.

I've got friends who work or have worked at DK Pub, I love a good heart-warming tale of Imperial cosplayers facilitating good will, and I have aspirations toward writing my own children's books, so this wins my vote for best story of the day. Full press release below:

NEW YORK, April 10, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- DK Publishing announced today a $95,000 children's book donation on behalf of the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion, two all-volunteer organizations of Star Wars™ costume enthusiasts who raise money for children's charities all over the world. The donation, a record-breaking amount for DK, was made to The Today Show Charitable Foundation, Inc., who dispersed over 7,000 new, full-color reference books to The Pajama Program for distribution to children across the country.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120119/NY38606LOGO-b)

"We love our ever-growing relationship with the 501st and Rebel Legion volunteers," said Rachel Kempster, DK's Director of Marketing and Publicity. "They are devoted, caring groups of people, who are more than just our partners in business—we also consider them our friends." Kempster was inducted as an official Friend of the Legion at last year's Comic-Con International in San Diego by 501st Legion Officers Lesley Farquhar and Mark Chu-Lin of the Southern California and Central California Garrisons respectively.

2012 marks the fourth consecutive year DK and the Legions have partnered in spreading a love of reading and Star Wars™. "The 501st and Rebel Legions have attended hundreds of book events for us, from small gatherings at independent bookstores and public libraries to large conferences and tours such as Book Expo America and the forthcoming Attack of the Authors West Coast tour, kicking off in mid-April," said DK Publicity Manager Mindy Fichter. "I've grown to love the Star Wars™ universe throughout my tenure at DK and am so pleased we are part of the Legions' important mission."

"This donation from DK is a prime example of how many lives we can touch with our unique brand of volunteerism," said Dean Plantamura, a 501st Legion Public Relations Officer. "The men and women of the Legion donate their time and often commute great distances to bring a Star Wars presence to an event and smiles to children's faces. In 2011 alone, we estimate that the efforts of the 501st Legion helped raise more than $11,000,000 world wide to benefit charities all around the globe."

For more information about DK's Star Wars™ events program, please visit http://us.dk.com/static/cs/us/11/starwars/events.html.

Editor's Notes About DK Publishing DK Publishing is the New York Times bestselling publisher known for its distinctive, highly visual books, eBooks and apps that inform, inspire and entertain readers of all ages. DK also publishes the award-winning Eyewitness series for children and Eyewitness Travel Guides. BradyGames and Rough Guides are also available from DK, a division of Penguin Group.

About the 501st Legion Since 1997, the costuming organization known as the 501st Legion has spread the magic of the Star Wars™ genre worldwide through its authentic-looking costumes, and has become the leading force in fan-based charity events. The 501st, also known as "Vader's Fist," is truly dedicated to brightening the lives of those less-fortunate. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd., it is Lucasfilm's preferred Imperial costuming group.

About the Rebel Legion The Rebel Legion is an international Star Wars™ costuming organization that promotes the Star Wars™ franchise and helps others through charity work and community service. The Rebel Legion first appeared in mid-1999 and in the years since its formation, the group has grown from a few dozen Rebel costumers to the premier Rebel costuming group in the Star Wars™ community.

Lucasfilm, STAR WARS™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE DK Publishing

Siike...And Ye Shall Find. Nerd Nation Co-Host Looking for Support for Ambitious Charity Comic Project

Siike Donnelly has quickly become one of my favorite "charitable nerds" to pay attention to in the vast geekosystem of the Web. Comics Cure has very little in the way of measurable output, but Siike has made it clear in words and action just how strongly he has taken our mission to heart. Even without Comics Cure to help form the notion of geek-centric do-goodery into a tangible ideal, the brain aneurysm surviving, podcast hosting, comic writing fanboy extraordinaire would have found the words and the way to rally his Nerd Nation toward making this world a better place. That's why I am diving into the deep end, throwing my full support behind his ambitious...maybe impossible...possibly preposterous...and most DEFINITELY naive project.

Important note about Siike: his head is not right. Literally. He's got (just a little bit of) brain damage. So when he comes up with a crazy idea, there's an automatic, understandable out for anyone. Yet somehow, this kid has developed a swell of support and an outpouring of interest from those in and around the comics community to see him succeed. You see, Siike survived a brain aneurysm. His engine short-circuited and now he counts every day on his lifelong road to recovery and reinvention and blessing. It inspires the rest of us--especially those of us who have our parts in order and our systems in check--to do the same.

And it doesn't hurt that his idea, as naive as it is, is a good one. If he pulls it off, hot damn, it may just be a great one. More details on the project when more details are allowed. For now, seek him out and see if you can help!