Did you ever want to make a difference in someone’s life? Did you ever want to be a hero? This is your chance. On Sept. 12, Dragon’s Keep Comic and Game Emporium, located in Provo, and artist Bill Galvan are holding a fundraising benefit in honor of freelance writer and cancer patient Jake Black and the Dragon’s Keep’s 22nd anniversary.
In the comics industry, there is a group called The Hero Initiative that works to provide financial assistance to creators who have emergency medical bills or need support for the essentials of life, whether they be writers, pencillers or inkers. But since eligibility is based on having worked in the industry for at least ten years, newer creators like Black are often left with crippling medical expenses without the benefits of a trade non-profit organization.
Black, who lives locally with his wife and son, has worked on the TV shows “Smallville,” “Ben 10: Alien Force” and “Chaotic.” His comic credits include TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES and the Marvel adaptation of Orson Scott-Card’s ENDER’S GAME.
Despite the ups and downs of dealing with an at times debilitating disease, Black has kept busy. In addition to his other TV and comic projects, he has a book coming out in November titled THE AUTHORIZED ENDER COMPANION.
Several local comic book artists will be attending for a sketch-a-thon and will be selling original art, limited edition prints and other items. Artists including Ryan Ottley, Chad Hardin, Travis Walton, Jason Hanks and Bill Galvan will be signing comics, reviewing portfolios, talking with fans and doing sketches for small donations. Dragons Keep will also be donating a percentage of the day’s sales to Jake Black.
This benefit and anniversary event is a great opportunity to help out a member of our community, meet some of the comic book industry’s great talent and is filled with prizes, games sales and much more.
On learning about the fundraiser, Black wrote on his website, “I’m so grateful for all these fundraising endeavors on my behalf. Cancer is obscenely expensive. And, as of right now, it looks like treatments and scans will continue into next year. I am truly humbled by the kindness of everyone involved in these fundraising effort[s] and hope everyone who has donated knows that it has literally been lifesaving. Thank you.”
The event is free and open to the public, so come and be a lifesaver. Come and be a hero.
