The camaraderie and generosity of comic book professionals is generally evident in virtually all of the community's activities, but never more so than when a fellow creator finds himself in need. Artist Josh Medors has been the focus of such caring and activism for the last several years as he fights a rare form of spinal cancer that's left him unable to work regularly. Industry safety net The Hero Initiative, a non-profit designed to help comics professionals in need of financial or medical aid, has collaborated with Medors and Marvel Comics to produce and sell a limited edition Spider-Man print signed by Medors and Stan Lee to help offset the cost of Medors' considerable medical expenses. The piece, an homage to Steve Ditko's classic Amazing Spider-Man #105, will go on sale May 7, Free Comic Book Day.

Josh Medors has contributed to such comic books as 30 Days of Night, Frank Frazetta's Swamp Demon, Criminal Macabre: A Cal McDonald Mystery, Fused: Think Like a Machine and G.I. Joe: America's Elite, but his career's ascension was interrupted by a rare form of cancer in his spinal column. Numerous benefits and fund raisers have been organized to help Medors, demonstrating the comics community's commitment to its own.


The Spider-Man print was created by Medors for the cover of Two Morrows Publishing's Alter Ego Magazine #105, which focuses on the Comics Code.

"It's an honor to feature Josh's work on our issue about the Comics Code, which Spider-Man helped bring up to date in the early '70s," said Alter Ego editor Roy Thomas. "His reinterpretation of Ditko's original drawing literally took my breath away."

"Josh Medors is proof that you don't need a costume and super powers to be a hero," said Tim Dillon, Marvel Business Development Manager. "We're all inspired by his fight against cancer and glad to help support him by joining Hero Initiative on this limited edition print. "

The Spider-Man print will be produced in a limited edition of 250, 200 of which will be signed by Medors and retail for $20 each, and 50 of which will also be signed by Spidey co-creator Stan Lee and retail for $100 each. The prints will be made available on May 7 at Hilliard, Ohio's Packrat Comics and PackRatComics.com.

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays' creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. For more information, call 626-676-6354 or visit www.HeroInitiative.org

[Via Comic Book Resources]