Neil Gaiman's new Doctor Strange poem will be auctioned off to benefit both the Hero Initiative and the Book Industry Charitable Foundation's Comicbook United Fund. After auctions involving noted artists in the past, Neil Gaiman is the first writer to be mentioned as part of the project. More announcements for pieces benefiting both charities are in the works.
Gaiman is a hugely influential writer whose celebrated works include graphic novel series such as The Sandman, The Books of Magic, and Marvel 1602, as well as novels like Coraline and American Gods, many of which have been adapted for film and TV. He is working with the Hero Initiative, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to, "Helping comic creators in need." This particular charity endeavor is part of the Double Visions Auctions, which is selling off original art pieces created by two artists featuring two characters.
The Hero Initiative announced Neil Gaiman as the first writer to be part of their ongoing auctions. His poem for Doctor Strange will accompany an art piece created by Chris Bachalo, who previously drew the Doctor Strange comic book series. This will be the second time Gaiman and Bachalo have worked on a project together since the two previously worked on Death: The High Cost of Living. The Double Visions Auctions will be run on the Hero Initiative's eBay account, which will feature five art pieces at once, beginning on February 2, 2021. Enjoy Bachalo art and Gaiman's poem below:
It's wonderful to see another charity-related comic book event emerge in these trying time, following on the heels of the announcement of Mike Mignola: The Quarantine Sketchbook, with proceeds going to the World Central Kitchen. These Double Visions Auctions have the added benefit of reuniting several creative teams that fans have been longing to see come together again. Another piece highlighted by the Hero Initiative is artwork created by artists Phil Hester and Ande Parks featuring Green Arrow and Onomatopoeia, with sound-effects handwritten by Kevin Smith, all members of the Green Arrow: Quiver series reuniting once again.
The Hero Initiative has concocted numerous wonderful charity events in the past, including live streams with legends in the comic industry, and it will be exciting to see what else they have in store for 2021. So far, there are numerous art pieces listed on the Hero Initiative's website planned for each week all the way up until May 4, 2021. Some other art print highlights include J. Scott Campbell and David Nakayama's Rogue/Psylocke piece, Matt Wagner and Tim Sale teaming up for multiple Spider-Man/Green Goblin art prints, as well as Greg Land and Terry Dodson's Storm/Jean Grey illustration. All that, including Neil Gaiman's Doctor Strange collaboration with Bachalo, will be on the Hero Initiative's eBay account, helping to raise money for those in need.
Source: Hero Initiative