John Romita Jr. Attempts World Record

WHEN: Friday, May 4, 2012

12noon – World Record Attempt Begins

WHERE: Hard Rock Cafe

3771 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

Las Vegas Strip in the Showcase Mall

To secure Jordan’s (Heroes For Jordan) lifetime medical and personal needs and assist other children suffering from cancer and life-threatening diseases, John Romita Jr. has teamed with the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada to raise much needed funds for Jordan and for other children diagnosed with cancer. 10 years after he set the original record, John Romita Jr., will attempt to break his own world record with 50 hours of longest personal signing & drawing appearance.

The public is invited to attend the World Record Attempt and encouraged to make a contribution to the Heroes For Jordan/Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada. Marvel character sketches and autographs by John Romita Jr. will be available for specified donations on a first-come, first-served basis.

About John Romita Jr.

For 35 years, famed Marvel Comics artist, John Romita Jr. has illustrated practically every character in the Marvel Comics Universe.  Born in New York City, Romita Jr. got his start under the guidance of his father, comics legend John Romita Sr., co-creator of numerous Marvel Comics characters.

Romita Jr. began his career at Marvel UK and made his American debut doing a short story in 1977’s AMAZING SPIDER-MAN Annual #11.  He has since gone on to become one of Marvel’s preeminent artists on everything from IRON MAN with writer David Michelinie to UNCANNY X-MEN with author Chris Claremont to DAREDEVIL. He had his first regular run working on the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN series in the early 1980s and with writer Roger Stern he co-created the character Hobgoblin.

In the past two decades, Romita Jr. has worked on countless Marvel Comics titles including The Punisher War Zone, The Hulk, The Mighty Thor, Wolverine, The Black Panther, and many others.

In 2004, Romita Jr.’s creator-owned project The Gray Area was published by Image Comics and in 2008 he collaborated with Mark Millar, for a creator-owned series, KICK-ASS, published by Icon imprint.  In 2010, the comic book was turned into a major motion picture distributed by Lionsgate starring Nicholas Cage, Chloe Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.  Romita Jr., one of the film’s producers, made his directorial debut by directing an animated flashback sequence in the film. A sequel to the film, which has become a fan favorite, is set to begin filming in mid-2012.

Romita Jr. just recently finished a run on the popular AVENGERS comic book franchise and is currently working on the highly anticipated Marvel Comics epic 12-issue series AVENGERS VS. X-MEN.

About Heroes for Jordan

Jordan Alyssa Atherton was born on Sept 17, 1999.  Two months after her second birthday, Jordan started complaining that her head hurt and she was having trouble with her balance. Just a few days after Thanksgiving 2001, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Following surgery she was considered a high risk case because she was younger than three years old and because the cancer had metastasized down her spinal column.  At the time, doctors told her parents that this greatly reduced her long term chance of survival and that she had a 30% chance to survive five years, and less than 5% chance of long-term survival.

As a fund-raising event to help offset her medical expenses, Jordan’s uncle, famed Marvel Comics artist John Romita Jr., attempted to set the world’s record for Longest Personal Signing & Drawing Appearance.  In New York City, on May 11, 2002, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, John Romita Jr. set the world’s record for Longest Personal Signing & Drawing Appearance at 48 hours and raised money for Jordan’s Special Needs Trust to help cover Baby Jordan’s medical expenses.

Jordan is now 12 years-old and a sixth grader, and, although free of cancer, continues to require special attention.  As a result of surgery, chemo, and radiation, Jordan has a number of permanent negative side effects. She will require specialized instruction throughout her life as well as constant care.

While Jordan’s future, both medically and cognitively, is uncertain, today she is a loving, caring young lady who’s a big sister to a 9 year-old brother and 5 year-old sister. She loves all animals (except bugs!) and she loves to watch the Food Network.  She loves fancy cars, dressing up and being pampered.  Basically, she’s a wonderful boisterous child who was dealt a very difficult hand and does the best with what she’s been given in life.

For more information visit www.heroesforjordan.org.