In true comics community fashion, comics creators have come together to give of their talent to raise much needed money for a worthy cause. The war in Ukraine has cost too many lives and threatens peace in Europe. A STAR STUDDED comic collection has been organized to raise money for Operation USA, and the stars don’t get much brighter than these. The project called Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds has exceeded it starting funding target and looks to be on pace for astronomic numbers.
If the idea of new content for properties like American Flagg, Chew, Star Slammers, Scary Godmother, Astro City, Groo, and Grendel has you excited, just imagine them all in the same book with a cover by Alex Ross, Arthur Adams, Dave Johnson, or Bill Sienkiewicz. This is a project not to be missed.
The campaign is being run on Zoop.gg. Zoop is an alternative to Kickstarter and has different funding mechanisms. This program allows for customized pre-ordering of products and has been steadily growing in popularity among creators.
This cause is undoubtedly worthy of support, and if you want to get your hands on some truly amazing comic stories, definitely consider supporting this benefit anthology. After two days, the project has already almost doubled it initial goal of $35,000. Below are the intro video by the campaign founders and the press release discussing the progress of the project:
COMICS FOR UKRAINE: SUNFLOWER SEEDS BENEFIT ANTHOLOGY SURPASSES INITIAL FUNDING GOAL IN TWELVE HOURS
SAN DIEGO, CA–Yesterday, more than three dozen comic-book writers, artists, colorists, letterers, designers, and editors announced a collection of all-new comic-book stories to raise money to aid refugees in Ukraine. Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds, the benefit anthology edited by Scott Dunbier, with all proceeds going to Operation USA, surpassed an initial $35,000 funding goal just twelve hours after the campaign launched. The book will be full-color, 96 pages, 8 x 12 inches, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions, with hundreds of supporters on day one.
“It’s gratifying to see people come together to fund this book so quickly,” says editor Scott Dunbier. “And thank you to all those in the comic-book community who are contributing to this project, you inspire me. But there is so much more to do, there are so many families left homeless and impoverished, and the ramifications of these events are going to impact millions of people for decades to come. It’s heartbreaking. Please, regardless of whether you back this campaign or not, stand with the people of Ukraine in any way you can.”
Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds features an incredible roster of comics talent united under the mission of providing relief to a war-torn Ukraine, which has suffered attacks from neighboring Russia since late February. There will be multiple versions available: a hardcover with a painted cover by Alex Ross, and softcover versions by Arthur Adams, Dave Johnson, and Bill Sienkiewicz. At press time, stories will be created by a virtual who’s who of writers and artists, including Brent Anderson, Sergio Aragones, June Brigman, Kurt Busiek, Howard Chaykin, Joshua Dysart, Mark Evanier, Emil Ferris, Dave Gibbons, Rob Guillory, John Layman, Gabriel Rodriguez, Stan Sakai, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, Chris Sprouse, Jill Thompson, Matt Wagner, Mark Waid, and more. For a full list of creators, including colorists, letterers, and designers, please visit the campaign page.
ZOOP CEO and Co-Founder Jordan Plosky added, “We are truly humbled by the support of comics fans for this cause. Thank you to everyone who has supported. Although that initial goal has been hit, we are still looking to raise as much as we can for Ukraine and all of those affected by this war. Please keep donating and spreading the word! Thank you!”
Apart from hard costs (printing, credit-card fees, marketing, etc.) all of the funds raised by Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds will benefit the relief efforts in Ukraine in partnership with Operation USA, so while the initial funding goal has been met, continued support will maximize the impact on the lives of those deeply affected by the ongoing war—improving conditions for Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries via the provision of emergency grants and in-kind material aid.
Operation USA supports health and education programs to help children and families at home and abroad recover and thrive in the wake of disasters, disease, violence and endemic poverty. Every day, they strive to meet the needs of under-served and overlooked populations so that future generations may have the tools they need to create meaningful change in their own communities and lives. Working with partners around the world, they empower communities to recover, build resiliency and thrive in the face of pervasive obstacles during a time of unprecedented global need. Since 1979, OpUSA has delivered $450 million in aid to 101 countries. Learn more at opusa.org.
To contribute to these efforts and preorder your copy of Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds, please visit https://zoop.gg/c/comicsforukraine today! For more information on the work of Operation USA, visit give.opusa.org.
