The ZOOP crowdfunding platform is launching Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds anthology, featuring top comic book creators, to raise money to support relief efforts in the worn country. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, marking a major escalation in the war. All proceeds from the Comics for Ukraine campaign will be donated to refugees.
Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds
On April 18th, 2022, ZOOP announced that more than three dozen comic-book writers, artists, colorists, letterers, designers, and editors are contributing to a collection of all-new comic-book stories to raise money to aid refugees in Ukraine. Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds is a benefit anthology edited by Special Projects Editor at IDW, Scott Dunbier (who has also been looking for Ukrainian artists), with all proceeds going to Operation USA. The book will be full-color, 96 pages, 8 x 12 inches, and it will be available in both hardcover and softcover editions.
“Like everyone, I have been sickened by the atrocities perpetrated on the Ukrainian people for nearly two months,” said Dunbier, editor, “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.”
From the official press the release, the anthology will include:
Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds features an incredible roster of comics talent united under the mission of providing relief to the 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.
All of the proceeds from the ZOOP crowdfunding campaign for Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds will go to Operation USA’s Supporting Displaced Ukrainians efforts. According to the press release:
With the exception of 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: https://www.opusa.org/developing-supporting-ukrainians/
“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: Sunflower Seeds 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.”
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, we 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, we 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.
“We are proud to be partnering with Scott Dunbier again for another important project. It is our way to do our part to support the people of Ukraine. The comics community comes together in times of need, and we’re imploring them to come together again for this worthy cause,” said ZOOP CEO and Co-founder Jordan Plosky.
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.
Learn more by watching the ZOOP campaign video below:
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