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‘Comics for Ukraine’ Anthology Raises Relief Money for War-Torn Country
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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: COMICS FOR UKRAINE
HEADLINE: ‘Comics for Ukraine’ Anthology Raises Relief Money for War-Torn Country
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 08/08/2023 at 10:10am
BYLINE: Genia Dulot
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: San Diego, California
VIDEOGRAPHER: Genia Dulot
PRODUCER: Mary Cieslak
SCRIPT EDITORS: MB, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE: VOA
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:26
VID APPROVED BY: pcd
TYPE: TVRPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO:))
[[Watching the news of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, American comic book editor Scott Dunbier says he felt compelled to help. He reached out to dozens of comic book professionals to create the anthology “Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds” to raise funds to provide emergency supplies and services to Ukrainians impacted by the war. Genia Dulot has this report.]]
((NARRATOR))
American comic book writer and letterer John Layman contributed to the recently released benefit anthology “Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds.”
Here, detective Tony Chu, a cop who solves crimes by receiving psychic impressions from food, saves a cat.
While Layman says he drew his themes for his contribution from the current situation in Ukraine, he didn’t want his overall story to be too dark.
((John Layman, Comic Book Writer))
“Basically, there is a lesson here to help those who need it. I didn’t want to get too political. I don’t want to take potshots; I didn’t want a bad guy. It’s just a nice character piece. It’s a very sweet story, which for a book like this, I wanted to do something a little uplifting.”
((NARRATOR))
The 120-page anthology is made up of 15 stories created by more than three dozen comic-book writers, artists, colorists, letterers, designers and editors — some of the biggest names in the industry — who volunteered their time and talent.
The book is the brainchild of Scott Dunbier, an award-winning comic book editor. It was 18 months ago that Dunbier, who was watching the news coming out of Ukraine, felt compelled to do something.
((Scott Dunbier, 'Comics for Ukraine' Editor)
“There’s a long history in comics of standing up for the underdog, I mean that’s really what comics are about, fighting for the underdog, and that’s what we’re trying to do. And you know, I wish this would be something that would make a huge difference.”
((NARRATOR))
Sales proceeds are going directly to Ukraine through Operation USA, an international relief agency, according to its president, Richard Walden.
((Richard Walden, Operation USA President))
“In addition to money, we sent first aid supplies because they’re training medics on the Poland side of the border. Initially, they thought it would be combat medics. I said, ‘Come on, we are a charity, don’t make it combat, just say medics and wherever there is a need.’”
((NARRATOR))
“Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds” was released in July. A year ago, the project had already raised $100,000, Dunbier said. By the end of 2023, he hopes to be able to send an additional $100,000 to Ukraine.
((Genia Dulot, for VOA News, San Diego))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
