We would also like to thank the guest charities who attended the show -- the Hero Initiative, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBDLF), Delete Blood Cancer, and the Baltimore Humane Society -- who raised funds and registered potential donors to support their worthy causes. We would also like to thank all of the bidders at our Annual Art Auction who helped to raise $10,000, thanks to the generosity of the artists contributing to the Baltimore Comic-Con yearbook in support of their colleague and friend of the show Seth Kushner for his fight against leukemia.

Seth Kushner, on whose behalf Delete Blood Cancer attended to raise awareness and recruit potential donors, had this to say: "I am beyond touched by the support given to me by Baltimore Comic-Con and the comics community while I've been going through a tough time battling leukemia. I feel so honored by Baltimore Comic-Con donating the proceeds of the Grendel art auction to me. All I can say is 'thank you,' even though it doesn't seem enough. I've been a guest of the con for several years and I was sad to miss it this year. I can't wait to return next year."

"Baltimore Comic Con continues to provide a first rate experience for comics fans," said Charles Brownstein, Executive Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. "This year's exhibit hall had a world class mix of creators and some of the best comics shopping of any con. We were glad to be a part of it, and to meet so many supporters of our important work protecting the freedom to read comics!"

The Hero Initiative raised over $15,000 at the event, with the help and participation of guests throughout the show floor. "Hero Initiative once again had a very successful show at Baltimore Comic-Con. Our booth was anchored by Denny O'Neil and Al Milgrom, while more than 50 other artists volunteered to collect donations at their booths," said Kevin Brogan, Mid-Atlantic Region Volunteer Coordinator for the Hero Initiative. "The continuous success of Hero Initiative at Baltimore is a result of the relationship among the Baltimore team, the Hero Initiative team, and artists themselves. The artists' willingness to support the charity, Baltimore's incredible commitment to the show, and the charity's close working relationship with the show and the artists is the ground work for success. Adding the fans who come to the show to honor the artists with their donations just brings it all together. We could not do it without the combined community's strong commitment."

Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher at Dynamite Entertainment, had this to say about the show: "2014 marks our 10th anniversary as a publisher, and we brought the party to Baltimore! We look forward to Baltimore each and every year as Marc and crew host one of the best shows in the country; this year was no exception, and for our part, Dynamite was pleased to bring the likes of Garth Ennis, Gail Simone, John Cassaday, Joseph Michael Linsner, Duane Swierczynski, and more to our booth for an action-packed weekend."

"Our 15th annual show was our biggest show to date," said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "Between adding the long-requested Friday to become a 3-day event, increasing our floor size (and then increasing it again mid-summer when we realized even the expanded footprint wasn't going to hold all of the guests, exhibitors, and retailers wanting to come to the show), upping the ante on the annual Costume Contest by doubling the cash grand prize, and acquiring use of the Ballroom in the Baltimore Convention Center for the largest panels and the Costume Contest, we have grown by leaps and bounds from where we started, and even over last year's event."

 

About The Baltimore Comic-Con

The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 15th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 9 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.