The Hero Initiative is a charitable organization that raises money for comics industry professionals in medical and financial need. Their mission is to help the many creators who work as freelancers and often have little to no health insurance. Many industry pros have made it their mission to spread the word and encourage comic fans to donate what they can to help the creators whose work they cherish.

Comic artist-writer Mike Oeming is one of the comic professionals who has championed the cause and been on the receiving end of Hero’s services when his wife, fellow writer-artist Taki Soma, became ill. Oeming created a three-page story to illustrate the need for Hero and what the organization can provide. He recently talked to Scoop about that story, which will appear in Gemstone’s Free Comic Book Day issue, The Overstreet Guide to Collecting.

Scoop: How long have you been involved with the Hero Initiative?
Mike Oeming (MO): I’ve been working with the Hero Initiative since its inception under another name. Jim Valantino got [Brian Michael Bendis] and I involved during our early days of Powers.

Scoop: Why is Hero important to you?
MO: At first, it was simply a good cause. Over the years, I’ve known fellow creators and friends being helped by the Hero Initiative I saw firsthand how it helped them. Some of those friends have sadly passed, but the Hero Initiative came through for them and their families in times of need. Nearly 20 years later, I found my wife and I needing help when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

Scoop: What did you want to express with this story you wrote about Hero?
MO: I wanted to convey how bad our healthcare system is. My wife and I have insurance, and we still could not afford the needed medical attention she needed immediately. That was with insurance. Americans who think they are covered have no idea how bad it can be, and of course there are many others who simply can’t afford anything. Hero Initiative was there to help us and I wanted people to see where their monetary donations are going.

Scoop: What are some of the ways that comic fans can contribute/help the Hero Initiative?
MO: Money always helps. Either a direct donation, or through fundraising locally, and volunteering for the Hero Initiative at cons and retailer events. If you can’t do either, simply spreading the word on social media helps raise awareness and funds. Any help is appreciated.

To learn more about the Hero Initiative and how you can help, visit www.heroinitiative.org. The Overstreet Guide to Collecting will be available during Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 2, 2020, at participating comic book stores.