Tempe, Arizona (October 07, 2015 )
Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) has introduced their Shi – Way of the Warrior Artist Project, which is the second development in their Hero’s Wish Artist Series and will be sold on eBay. The series, created by 47 of some of the most accomplished comic artists in the industry, will help fund their Hero’s Wish program. The program grants the wishes of primary next of kin of those killed in action, Purple Heart recipients who are returning from assignment or in process of being deployed again. 100% of the funds raised from the project goes towards granting these Hero’s Wishes. Many of which are trips to Disney properties.
According to Eddie Rausch, the Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of the Board at Vet Tix, “the project was born out of need. Plain and simple.” With these wishes being difficult to fund–and the team at Vet Tix staying committed to fulfilling every single Hero’s Wish–Eddie and the team came up with a more creative solution based on their love for comic art to fulfilling these wishes. Through this necessity, the first project of the Hero’s Wish Artist Series was born, using Brian Pulido’s character Lady Death.
During their Lady Death Project in 2014, Vet Tix was able to raise upwards of $23,000 and is hoping to exceed this mark with the Shi covers. “I was inspired by the Lady Death Project and wanted to offer up my own character, Shi, to help this wonderful cause for our heroes,” said Billy Tucci, the creator of Shi and partnering artist for the Lady Death Project. Mr. Tucci has now partnered with Vet Tix to create a special blank cover to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Shi, with a limit of only 50 issues. Vet Tix has invited the comics’ industry’s biggest names to create their own vision of Shi on these covers. Once the artists submit their covers, they are sent to CGC Comics where they are graded, sent back to Vet Tix and are auctioned off on eBay every Tuesday under the seller ID “vet-tix”.
Through Tucci’s Crusade Fine Arts, the mult-Eisner Award-nominated Shi has been printed in five languages and has sold more than 3 million comic books worldwide. Constantin Film AG has purchased the motion picture rights to “Shi”. Tucci (WGA) is currently writing the film treatment for Producer Mimi Polk Gitlin and Director Patrick Tatopoulos with screenplay to follow.
Mr. Rausch expressed the importance of the artists to the project; “They are making a significant contribution of not only their talents, but also their time. We at Vet Tix want to stress how much we appreciate these artists doing what they are doing to help us in our mission.” Rausch and company are looking forward to getting this project underway and launching their next development featuring Aspen Comics’ “Fathom Blue” and “Eternal Soulfire” titles.
You may view and bid on the auctions on eBay at:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/vet-tix?_trksid=p2047675.l2559
You can also find up to date information, the newest developments and view the complete list of participating artists on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1408637942743782/
About Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix)
Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation supporting our military community. Vet Tix has provided over 1.6 million free event tickets to currently serving military, veterans and family members of those killed in action to sporting events, concerts, performing arts and family activities. Our military and veterans experience many difficult transitions as they reintegrate into their families, communities, and eventually, into civilian life. Attending events improves morale, strengthens family bonds through shared interests and encourages service members to stay engaged with local communities and American life. In gratitude for their service and to support their reintegration, Vet Tix is dedicated to giving back to those who gave us so much. Donations are eligible for tax deductions. Please visit our web site at www.VetTix.org Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
