DC kicks off Year Two of 'We Can Be Heroes' campaign

[Captain Comics]

 

We Can Be Heroes offers one-of-a-kind experiences and limited edition items designed to unlock the giving power of fans and raise funds

to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

BURBANK, Calif. (April 2, 2013) - Get something good.  Do something great.   This is the theme of the second year of DC Entertainment's We Can Be Heroes giving campaign designed to raise funds and awareness for the devastating hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.   Inviting fans to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Super Heroes of the Justice League and the creators who bring them to life, DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson today proudly announced a collection of exciting new initiatives that will support the continued success of the We Can Be Heroes (http://www.WeCanBeHeroes.org) giving campaign.   "We hope to build upon last year's very successful inaugural campaign, which raised more than  $2 million and helped change the lives of more than 5 million people," said Nelson. "You don't need a super power to be a hero.  One small act can make you a hero and a lot of small acts can save millions of lives."   This is the second year of the biggest philanthropic initiative in DC Entertainment and its parent company, Warner Bros.', corporate history.  It is designed to raise funds to benefit more than 8 million men, women and children in the Horn of Africa.  The various 2013 program initiatives offer unique Super Hero experiences and limited-edition merchandise to engage, excite and empower legions of supporters.   The first of such initiatives starts Tuesday, April 2 with the launch of a Super Hero-themed crowdfunding campaign. Made up of several mini-campaigns throughout 2013, each will feature members of the Justice League - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg - and will be hosted on Indiegogo, the world's largest crowdfunding platform (www.indiegogo.com/at/WeCanBeHeroes).   The first phase of the campaign (April 2 through May 7) will focus on Batman, featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and limited edition items related to one of DC Entertainment's most popular Super Heroes.  Additional phases will follow, featuring other members of the Justice League.  Several levels of donation incentives have been created in order to encourage participation.  From signed graphic novels and video games, to the opportunity to meet your favorite creators, to being drawn into a Batman graphic novel, there is something for every fan.   "Crowdfunding is the perfect platform for We Can Be Heroes.  The more fans contribute, the more they can get!  Those with fewer dollars to offer will find there is something that shows their support for the campaign and their love of these Super Heroes, and those with more to donate will find that their contribution level directly ties to the level of collectability and special access offers that every fan wants," said Nelson.   Donation Incentives Include: "BATMAN: EARTH ONE VOL. 1" hardcover (signed, sketched, and numbered by the writer and artist) We Can Be Heroes t-shirt featuring original Batman artwork  by Jim Lee Warner Bros. Animation studio tour featuring a meet and greet with the legendary creators behind "Batman: The Animated Series," "Batman Beyond," "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" and "Beware the Batman"   Invitations to the exclusive DC Entertainment VIP Event at 2013 Comic-Con International: San Diego Comic-Con International: San Diego Experience with Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, including two passes to the already sold-out event, airfare and hotel room.  Opportunity to be drawn into  a Batman graphic novel and receive the original art of appearance (personalized & signed by the artist)  Additional elements of the We Can Be Heroes giving campaign include Super Hero-inspired vehicles, an online auction and digital bundles - all designed to harness the passion fans have for their favorite Super Heroes and transform it into critical funding to fight the hunger crisis: Justice League-inspired vehicles: Over the last six months, DC Entertainment has partnered with KIA Motors to bring the World's Greatest Super Heroes to life by combining automotive styling with comic book art.  The partnership, which has yielded seven individually customized vehicles to date, harnesses the talents of legendary comic book artist and DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, who has collaborated on the design of each car with his vision for each iconic member of DC Comics' Justice League.  In addition to the seven KIA vehicles inspired by the individual Super Hero characters, the DC Entertainment-KIA partnership will culminate with a fully-drivable custom car, also designed by Jim Lee, that encompasses each member of the Justice League to be auctioned off at 2013 Comic-Con International: San Diego to raise money for the cause. Online Auction: The online auction will also include other highly unique items such as a collection of original pieces of comic book character artwork, entitled Darkness & Light, which was custom commissioned and created by contemporary artists for the benefit of We Can Be Heroes. Digital Bundles: An online fundraising initiative that offers fans a suite of popular digital comic books, movies, games, and music from DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. with the opportunity to set a percentage of the purchase price to go to the We Can Be Heroes campaign. All funds raised will benefit the campaign's humanitarian aid partners - Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps - to deliver food, medicine and other resources critical to the survival of people in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.    For more information on We Can Be Heroes, visit www.WeCanBeHeroes.org.  For more information specifically on the Batman Crowdfunding Campaign .

About DC Entertainment

DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.  In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched www.WeCanBeHeroes.org -a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League Super Heroes-to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

[Captain Comics]

There are over 8 million people going hungry in the Horn of Africa right now. All of us at DC Entertainment are joining with Batman and the Justice League and making a stand. It’s time to fight. Through DC Entertainment’s We Can Be Heroes campaign, you can join in making sure we put an end to this. Get something good. Do something great. Fight side-by-side with Batman and the Justice League. Give now to take the hunger crisis head on. We’ve put together an amazing collection of stuff from the creative minds that bring Batman to life, such as:

	Now, it can all be yours. Just make a pledge and pick your perk at www.indiegogo.com/at/wecanbeheroes. Because when you join the Justice League in taking on the hunger crisis, the real hero is you.

[Captain Comics]

Press Release

FANS GET ONE-OF-A-KIND ITEMS BY DONATING TO THE CAUSE

INCLUDING LIMITED EDITION COMMEMORATIVE ARTWORK, ACCESS TO COMIC CREATORS AND OTHER RARE COMIC COLLECTIBLES 

 

A hometown visit by a legendary comic book artist who will paint a one-of-a kind art piece on an entire wall, sneak peeks at one of the industry’s most anticipated video games and a custom bedroom designed for the kid that always wanted their own Fortress of Solitude. This is just some of what lies ahead in the Superman-themed wave of DC Entertainment and Warner Bros.’ We Can Be Heroes charitable giving campaign announced today by DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson.

 

Following the success of the campaign’s first Batman-themed wave in April and May, the second installment is focused entirely around the Superman character, aligning with the June 14 premiere of the Man of Steel film and ongoing activities in 2013 celebrating the global icon’s 75^th Anniversary.

 

The “perks” that will be made available to DC Entertainment fans over the next four weeks are a dazzling array of the assets and talent that make up the DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. universe. The perks range from unlimited items at $10 apiece to once-in-a lifetime opportunities for $25,000. As with the first wave, the campaign will be hosted on Indiegogo, the world’s largest crowdfunding platform (www.indiegogo.com/at/WeCanBeHeroes).

 

“The generosity from the fans of DC Comics during the Batman wave was outstanding and challenged us to create another wave of unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, said Nelson. “The first wave of the campaign eclipsed its initial goal of $50,000 in just three days and ultimately raised more than $150,000 in less than six weeks. We continue to be overwhelmed and appreciative of our fans who are helping to make a difference in millions of lives.”

 

Among the perks highlighting the Superman wave of We Can Be Heroes are:

• A hometown visit by legendary DC Entertainment artist Jim Lee, who will paint larger than life, custom artwork on a 10x10 wall
• More than 50 beta keys providing advance access to the upcoming Infinite Crisis video game
• A Superman-themed dream bedroom for kids
• The opportunity to be drawn into an issue of Action Comics
• Scores of signed issues of iconic Superman comics and theatrical posters from “Man of Steel”

 

In its second year, We Can Be Heroes (http://www.WeCanBeHeroes.org) is the largest charitable initiative in the history of DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. The funds raised will benefit the campaign’s nonprofit partners (Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps) to deliver food, medicines and other resources critical to the survival of people in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.

[Captain Comics]

Press Release

Have you ever read your favorite DC comic and wondered how the amazing artwork was created? Have you ever wished you could witness the process up close and personal, maybe even inside your own house? If so, then DC Entertainment’s We Can Be Heroes campaign is ready to make one DC fan’s dream come true. 

 

As the latest “perk” to be added to the ongoing second phase of the philanthropic effort, legendary comic book artist and DCE Co-Publisher Jim Lee will fly to the hometown of one lucky benefactor to paint a custom mural based on the donor’s favorite character from the DC Comics Universe.

 

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is priced at $25,000 and the mural can be painted either on a wall or a large-scale canvas up to 10x10. Of course, the proceeds will continue to support the fight against the devastating hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa. 

 

The hometown visit is one of several compelling perks added to the We Can Be Heroes campaign this week, including hardcover copies of SUPERMAN: H’EL ON EARTH signed and numbered by Ken Rocafort and Scott Lobdell, hardcover versions of SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE VOLUME 1 with exclusive new jacket signed and numbered by Shane Davis and a 24x18 lithograph of SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #1 drawn, signed and numbered by Jim Lee.

 

Now’s your chance to donate, and make a difference-- but keep in mind, once they’re gone, they’re gone FOREVER.

 

For more information, please visit DC Comics' official press blog.