West Orange, NJ – Over 100,000 comic books — including high-end titles from the Silver Age — will be featured as part of the upcoming Superheroes for Hospice Charity Comic Book Sale. The event also features the return of the popular Get Into Comics lecture series and new to Superheroes For Hospice this year, an opportunity for attendees to be turned into zombies courtesy of caricaturists!
Active since 2009, the charity has raised more than $40,000 to date for Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center (BHHPCC) by selling comics, books, toys and related items. Proceeds have helped assist individuals and families dealing with life-limiting illnesses. Conceived by BHHPCC Volunteer Coordinator Spiro Ballas, the event has attracted top industry talent who often appear to sign autographs and give entertaining lectures about the art form.
“These comic industry veterans are so big hearted and willing to help this worthwhile cause,” said Ballas. “And the public has turned out time and time again to support our efforts by donating comics and attending the sale.”
Find out what's happening in East Hanover-Florham Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The event will feature thousands of comic books and graphic novels for sale, including books for children and adults and new to Superheroes For Hospice, a dealer of high-end Silver Age titles. Joining the fun will be “roaming costumed characters” (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) from East Coast Avengers Cosplayers; and appearances by sketch artists and other comic book professionals including Paul Castiglia, Editor and Writer known for Archie’s Weird Mysteries, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sonic the Hedgehog; and David G. Hardy, noted illustrator of classic movie and pop culture stars. Attendees will also be able to “zombify” themselves thanks to artists Ken Branch and Dan Nakrosis, collectively known as “DK Zombify!
The Get Into Comics lecture series schedule is:
Find out what's happening in East Hanover-Florham Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Perfecting the Comic Book Script; 11:30 a.m.
by Don E. Smith, Jr., Book Author and Comics Writer
- Get Started: Selling Your Comic Art at Conventions; 12:30 p.m.
by Mindy Indy, Cartoonist and Animator
- Realism VS Cartooning: The War Between Comic Art Styles; 1:30 p.m.
by Paris Cullins, Legendary Comics Artist
- The Savage Style of Joe Kubert!; 2:30 p.m.
by Arlen Schumer, Illustrator and Historian
- Digital Comics: Changing Our Medium...For the Better?; 3:30 p.m.
by Christian Rubiano, Comics Writer and Creator
For more information about session topics, please visit barnabashealthhospice.org/comic.
Registration for one (or all) of the talks is encouraged as seating is limited; to attend one or more of the Get Into Comics lecture series, please RSVP to Spiro Ballas, sballas@barnabashealth.org.
The free event will take place on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. It will be held at the Barnabas Health Corporate Office, located at 95 Old Short Hills Road in West Orange (directly across the street from Saint Barnabas Medical Center, next door to the Atkins Kent building). Admission is free. For more information or to make a comic book donation to Superheroes for Hospice, please contact Spiro Ballas atsballas@barnabashealth.org or 973-322-4866.
About Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center
The health care team at Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center has been privileged to serve more than 52,000 patients and their families during one of the most personal times of their lives. Specially trained experts in end-of-life care are honored to provide comprehensive and compassionate medical, emotional and spiritual care at a time when it is needed most. Our programs, which serve infants, children, adults and the elderly, honor the individual choices and values of each patient and family, while offering full access to the broad array of services provided by Barnabas Health.
