Marc Andreyko, IDW Publishing, DC Comics and an army of comics creators are coming together to create Love is Love, an anthology to benefit Equality Florida and their fund supporting the victims of the June 12 attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
“Events like this shouldn’t be compartmentalized,” Andreyko told The New York Times. “They should hurt, and we should want to change for the better.”
IDW will publish the comic, “with support from [DC Entertainment].” It’ll retail for $9.99 and include 100 one and two page comics by the likes of Damon Lindelof, Patton Oswalt, Phil Jimenez and Olivier Coipel, as reported by the NYT, and many others who have noted their participation via social media, including Paige Braddock, Steve Orlando, James Tynion IV, Robin Riggs, Liam Sharp, Matt Wagner, Dave Justus, Frank Tieri, Cat Staggs, Shannon Eric Denton, Ben Raab, Tristan Jones, Chris Miskiewicz, Simon Fraser and many others.
Check out a Batwoman pin-up by Rafael Albuquerque from the book below.
Update, 9/21: IDW has sent out a press release on the project, which quotes the book’s editors, Sarah Gaydos, group editor for IDW Publishing, and Jamie S. Rich, group editor of DC’s Vertigo imprint. They also reveal the cover and additional creators who are participating, and share a link where you can pre-order the book from IDW.
Also also, Diamond has listed the book on their site and have included even more creators: Dennis Cowen, Paul Dini, Ming Doyle, Brian Michael Bendis, Emma Vicelli, Ed Luce, Kieron Gillen and Jay Edidin. This should be really impressive.
Here’s the press release from IDW in its entirety:
COMICS INDUSTRY UNITES WITH LOVE IS LOVE BENEFIT BOOK IN SUPPORT OF ORLANDO TRAGEDY
San Diego, CA (September 21, 2016) – IDW Publishing, with the support of DC Entertainment, will honor the victims of Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub tragedy by publishing LOVE IS LOVE, an anthology graphic novel curated by writer Marc Andreyko (BATWOMAN, WONDER WOMAN ’77). In the wake of this devastating event, Andreyko assembled a group of fellow comic book creators to contribute to the benefit project. Andreyko received an overwhelming response across the comic book community and beyond, with over 200 writers and artists lending their talents to LOVE IS LOVE, a collection of over 100 short graphic stories. All material has been donated by the writers, artists, and editors, with all proceeds going to victims, survivors, and their families via EQUALITY FLORIDA.
LOVE IS LOVE will debut in comic book shops and bookstores this December. The anthology graphic novel is a 144-page love letter to the LGBTQ community containing moving and heartfelt stories—some using iconic DC characters—from some of the greatest talent in comics, including Phil Jimenez, Steve Sadowski, Paul Jenkins, Mike Carey, Matt Wagner, Marguerite Bennett, Aneke, Damon Lindelof, Patton Oswalt, Steven Orlando, Rafael Albuquerque, Jason Aaron, Jason Latour, James Asmus, Ming Doyle, James Tynion IV, Cecil Castellucci, Brandon Peterson, Jesus Saiz, Olivier Coipel, Leinil Yu, Elsa Charretier, and many more to be announced.
“When tragedy happens, art responds. And after the Pulse massacre, the comics community responded quickly, decisively, and with open hearts,” said project organizer and writer Andreyko. “I could not be more proud of this book, or to be a member of the comics community. The talent and emotion on every page is staggering. LOVE IS LOVE mourns the 49 lost, honors the survivors, and celebrates love in all forms.”
“When Marc brought this project to me, there was no hesitation about us getting involved,” said IDW Chief Creative Officer Chris Ryall. “To echo Marc’s sentiments, we are proud of the hard work and talent that has gone into this project and to be involved in any way to support the survivors and their families in the face of tragedy.”
“We’re deeply thankful to all the participants who donated their work to LOVE IS LOVE,” said Sarah Gaydos, Group Editor for IDW Publishing. “The outpouring of emotion from their work honors the LGBTQ community, and helps express the grief we’re all feeling.”
“Marc’s heartfelt passion for this cause and this project has inspired everyone involved in LOVE IS LOVE,” explains Jamie Rich, Group Editor of DC’s Vertigo imprint. “As an editor on the book, I continue to be moved every day by the expressions of hope and love the contributors have put forth, and can only imagine the profound impact the book will have on readers, as well.”
The contributors behind LOVE IS LOVE have banded together to send a powerful message through their art that they stand with the victims of this national tragedy. Help spread the love this December and become part of this historic comics event.
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