Hero Initiative, the charity dedicated to helping comic book creators in medical or financial need, has announced changes to its Board of Directors. Longtime and well-respected creators Klaus Janson and Ann Nocenti and have joined the Hero Initiative board as part of its Disbursement Committee.
Janson started as an artist in the early 1970s, and quickly became known as one of the top inkers in the business. He enjoyed a lengthy 8-year run on Marvel Comics’ Daredevil in the 1970s and ’80s, and later inked the landmark Batman: The Dark Knight Returns for DC in 1986. Janson remains a sought-after talent to this day as both a penciler and inker. He’s written two how-to books on comics, and also teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Nocenti started as a comic writer in the early 1980s, and has written titles such as Longshot, Daredevil, Kid Eternity, and Catwoman. Nocenti also enjoyed a long stint as an editor at Marvel Comics, shepherding Uncanny X-Men, New Mutants, and many other titles. She is currently writing The Seeds and Ruby Falls for Berger Books/Dark Horse Comics. Nocenti also has extensive background in charities, helping to operate Ciné Institute, a free film school in Haiti.
“Ann and Klaus are both talented veterans of the comic book business, which alone would qualify them as welcome additions to the Hero Initiative board,” said Hero board member Howard Chaykin. ”In addition, they each bring empathy and intuition to what can often be a challenging enterprise.”
Art attached: Photo of new Hero Initiative Board members, l-r, Klaus Janson, Ann Nocenti
About The Hero Initiative
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 yesterday’s 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.
Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $1 million to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today.
For more information, please visit us at www.heroinitiative.org.
