A new anthology featuring the works of Walt Simonson, Kurt Busiek, John Layman, Rob Guillory, Stan Sakai, Sergio Aragones, Dave Gibbons and more will benefit relief efforts in the war-torn Ukraine.
Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds can be purchased in several variations from the comics crowdfunding website Zoop, which will donate proceeds to Operation USA. The charitable organization is raising money to support Ukrainian refugees on the ground in Poland and other nearby countries.
The project is being edited by Scott Dunbier, who currently works at IDW and heads up the Artist’s Edition line. The campaign ends in May, when funds will be collected and sent to Operation USA, and delivery of the final books is expected to be wrapped up by December.
“Like everyone, I have been sickened by the atrocities perpetrated on the Ukrainian people for nearly two months,” said Dunbier, “and I had to do something, anything, to try and help. The comic-book community is full of good and caring people who have stepped up to say, ‘I stand with Ukraine,’ and to contribute to this book.”
The anthology features an impressive line-up of stories and talent, featuring some of the best and most well known creator-owned comics of the last 40 years, including:
- Covers and variant covers by Alex Ross, Art Adams, Dave Johnson and Bill Sienkiewicz
- A new Astro City story by Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, Wade von Grawbadger, Alex Sinclair and Richard Starkings
- A new Chew story by John Layman and Rob Guillory
- A new Starslammers story by Walt Simonson, Laura Martin and John Workman
- A new American Flagg! story by Howard Chaykin
- A new Usagi Yojimbo story by Stan Sakai
- A new Grendel story by Matt Wagner
- A new Groo the Wanderer story by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier
- A new Scary Godmother story by Jill Thompson
- A new story from Louise Simonson and June Brigman called “the Cost of War
- A new story called “Hardrada” by Dave Gibbons and Chris Sprouse
- Something new from Mark Waid and Gabriel Rodriguez
- “Bombings,” a new short story by Emil Ferris
The book will be full-color, 96 pages, 8×12 inches, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions.
“We at OpUSA are so grateful for the support of Mr. Dunbier and all artists and writers involved with this project” says Mary Dolan, Director of Communications. “Operation USA is entirely privately funded, so projects such as Comics for Ukraine play a vital role in building our capacity to provide critical relief where needed most. Proceeds from this project will have a direct impact on the lives of those deeply affected by the ongoing war—improving conditions for Ukrainian refugees in Poland and other nearby countries via the provision of emergency grants and in-kind material aid. We thank all those involved in this meaningful project.”
For more information or to donate, visit the project’s Zoop page.