Tag Archives: ukraine

Get a first-look at Matt Kindt and Jim Zub’s contributions to Mad Cave Studios benefit anthology

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In April, Mad Cave Studios announced Lower Your Sights, a partnership to raise funds for the Voices Of Children Foundation to raise awareness and tell stories that focus on the consequences of war, the peace/relief effort, and the resulting long-term ripple effect.

With the help of amazing contributing creators, Mad Cave Studios has released a first-look of these  tales about the human condition and how combat affects soldiers, family members, friends, students, doctors, politicians, and allies from afar.

Cover Artists: J. G. Jones, Ryan Sook, Yev Haidamaka
Writers: Matt Kindt, Jim Zub, Rich Douek, Andy Eschenbach, Beck Kubrick, Bob Frantz & Kevin Cuffe, Brian Hawkins, Charlotte Balogh, Ellie Egleton, Ennun Ana Iurov, Eric Palicki, Gabe Valentin, Jarred Luján, Joe Corallo, Jonathan Hedrick, Justin Richards, Lela Gwenn, Matt Harding, Matthew Clark, Matthew Dow Smith, Sem Chyhlintsev, Shane Patrick White, Shane Roeschlein, Tim Daniel & DB Andry
Artists: Richard Pace, Justin Greenwood, Dave Chisholm, Matt & Sharlene Kindt, Liana Kangas, John K Snyder III, Alejandro Rosado, Alex Moore, Andi Santagata, Andriy Lukin, Anna Papadopoulou, Beck Kubrick, Bryan SilverBax, Chas! Pangburn, Dani Weires, Ellie Wright, Ennun Ana Iurov, Francine Delgado, Frank Cvetkovic, Gab Contreras, Gabo Elías, Ignacio Di Meglio, Irlander Romero, Joe Hunter, Josh Jensen, Justin Birch, Kateryna Kosheleva, Kote Carvajal, LetterSquids, Lucas Gattoni, Marissa Louise, Matt Harding, Matthew Clark, Matt Krotzer, Micah Myers, Nicky Noons, Patrick Brosseau, Richard Pace, Ryan Odagawa, Sean Dicker, Sean Von Gorman, Sofiia Lyt, Shane Patrick White, Sierra Barnes, Stelladia, Taylor Esposito, Tim Daniel
Ukrainian Creators: Yev Haidamaka, Inna Vjuzhanina, Tanya Vovk, Anastacia, Andriy Lukin, Andy Ivanov, Art Studio Agrafka, Romana Romanyshyn and Andriy Lesiv, Gexis, Iryna Babenko, Iryna Potapenko, Kateryna Kosheleva, Mari Kinovych, Marta Koshulinska, Mikhail Dunakovskiy, Nina Dzyvulska, Olena Dziura, Polina Khrystoieva, Sem Chyhlintsev, Sofiia Lyt, Yana Strunina

Lower Your Sights is available for preorder on the Mad Cave Studios website, and in stores Sept. 14.

Tokyopop’s ПЕРЕМОГА: Victory for Ukraine Graphic Novel is available digitally today and print in September

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PEREMOHA: VICTORY FOR UKRAINE

Timed for the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, ПЕРЕМОГА: Victory for Ukraine is available digitally today from Tokyopop. It’ll be released in print on September 27th.

The war comes to readers (for ages 12+) in nine stories that humanize the conflict in Ukraine in a unique and emotionally lasting way with a focus on the heroism of the Ukrainian people and military in the face of overwhelming forces. Witness the struggles of brave defenders in cities like Kiev, Mariupol, Kherson, and Snake Island, and how the utter insanity and irony of the war is told from the standpoint of a looted Ukrainian washing machine, and a humble farm tractor that wants to steal Russian tanks.

A portion of the proceeds will go to Razom for Ukraine – (“Razom” meaning “together” in Ukrainian), a non-profit Ukrainian-American human rights organization established to give direct support to the people of Ukraine in their pursuit of a democratic society with dignity, justice, and human and civil rights for all. 

Creators include Oleksandr Koreshkov, Kateryna Kosheleva,
Ihor Kurilin, Bohdana “Dana” Vitkovska, Nazar Ponik, Kyrylo “Kir” Malov, Denys Fadieiev, Vyacheslav Buhaiov, Oleksandr Fylypovych, and Eduard Akhramovych.

The stories in PEREMOHA: VICTORY FOR UKRAINE include:

Episode 1: The Ghost of Kiev – the now legendary story of an invincible ace Ukrainian fighter pilot – the Ghost of Kyiv – a man who protected hundreds of thousands of Kyivans, their children and homes during the first 30 hours of a massive attack on the city when he shot down 6 Russian planes

Episode 2: The Witch – Witches hold a distinct and storied place in Ukrainian culture. Witness how Russian soldiers bent on terrorizing the civilian population find more than they bargain for when they meet a vengeful Ukrainian witch on a deserted road.

Episode 3: Azov-Stal – This story is about the Azov regiment, the marines, border guards and policemen; who held out against incredible odds in the long-suffering city on the shores of the Sea of ​​Azov; about the people who became hostages of the bloodthirsty military machine of the Russians.

Episode 4: Looters – The looting of the Russian army and the ironic fate of a Ukrainian washing machine

Episode 5: Zmiinyi Island 13 –The now iconic battle for Snake Island, where a band of brave Ukrainian solders defied the Russian navy and the proclaimed the legendary phrase that the world now knows – “Russian Warship F…ck Yourself.”

Episode 6: Throughout the Centuries – Ordinary Ukrainians take up arms against the Russian army using ancient earthen ramparts called the Snake Walls, built during the time of Kyivan Rus by Princes Volodymyr the Great and Yaroslav the Wise in the 9th and 10th Centuries to defend their lands from attacks from the southeast by nomadic tribes. In WW2, they were part of the defense lines against the Nazis and today they have helped to slow down and menace the advance of the invading Russian army.

Episode 7: Brave Little Tractor – An inspiring about an unlikely hero – a brave Ukrainian farm tractor that steals Russian army tanks

Episode 8: Cyber Kherson – An inspiring story of a new breed of Ukrainian rebels using technology to continue the struggle for democracy under brutal Russian occupation in the city of Kherson, located near Crimea and the eastern Donbas region.

Episode 9: The Price of Victory – How ordinary people in Ukraine went to war to defend their home, families, freedom, and fight for the right to live in their own free country and determine their own futures.

Colleen Doran, Greg Hildebrandt and Joe Jusko Join Comics for Ukraine

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Last week, 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, with over $113,000 from over 900 contributors raised to date. 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. As the campaign enters a second week of funding, it is announced that Eisner Award-winner Colleen Doran, legendary illustrator Greg Hildebrandt, and celebrated cover artist Joe Jusko have joined the project.

These three creators join the incredible roster of comics talent assembled for Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds; 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.

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.

Comics for Ukraine

Disclosure: The site founder is a part of this project handling some of the marketing for Zoop

Comics for Ukraine Brings Comic Creators Together for a Cause

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More than three dozen comic-book writers, artists, colorists, letterers, designers, and editors have announced 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 Scott Dunbier, with all proceeds going to Operation USA. The 96 page graphic anthology will available in both hardcover and softcover editions with multiple cover choices.

The Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds anthology 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.

Covers:

  • Alex Ross
  • Arthur Adams
  • Dave Johnson
  • Bill Sienkiewicz

Stories:

  • Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, Wade Von Grawbadger, Alex Sinclair, Richard Starkings – New Astro City
  • John Layman, Rob Guillory – New Chew
  • Walter Simonson, Laura Martin, John Workman – New and Exclusive Star Slammers
  • Howard Chaykin, Nitro Yen, Ken Bruzenak – New and Exclusive American Flagg
  • Stan Sakai, Hi-Fi – New and Exclusive Usagi Yojimbo
  • Matt Wagner, Brennan Wagner – New and Exclusive Grendel
  • Mark Evanier, Sergio Aragones, Stan Sakai – New and Exclusive Groo
  • Jill Thompson – New and Exclusive Scary Godmother
  • Louise Simonson, June Brigman, Roy Richardson, Dave Stewart, John Workman – New and Exclusive short story “The Cost of War“
  • Dave Gibbons, Chris Sprouse, Kevin Nowlan, Laura Martin, Todd Klein – New and Exclusive short story “Hardrada“
  • Mark Waid, Gabriel Rodriguez, Dave Stewart, Todd Klein – A new and exclusive short story
  • Emil Ferris – New and Exclusive short story “Bombings“

Additional material by:

  • Joshua Dysart
  • Pia Guerra
  • Peter Kuper

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.

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.

Check out the cover by Alex Ross below.

Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds

Disclosure: I am a part of this project and act as the marketing director for Zoop.

Around the Tubes

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It’s a new week! What geeky things did you all do over the weekend? Sound off in the comments. We’re kicking off our week with some news you might have missed from around the web.

Kotaku – Two Massive Charity Game Bundles Have Now Raised Over $12 Million For Ukraine – Awesome to see this.

Comicbook – Marvel’s First Comic Ever Just Fetched Millions at Auction – We lost our bid.

The Mary Sue – Former Staffers Say Disney Had Issue With Same-Sex Kiss in ‘Nimona’ Movie – This doesn’t sound surprising based on everything else that’s coming out.

Nimona

Darth Vader for Ukraine Parliament

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The Ukrainian Internet party’s Darth Vader addresses a party congress in KievThe Ukraine currently sits at the center of a potential flashpoint that could easily escalate into a global conflict. Darth Vader has stepped into the political arena in hopes to save his country, among other issues. Darth Alekseyevitch Vader (we’ve also seen it spelled Alekseyevich) is running as part of the Ukraine’s parliamentary elections as part of the Internet Party. Also running as part of the platform is Stepan Chewbacca.

Vader lives up the name, dressed in full costume, and a black campaign van which he calls “his helicopter.” He’s so hardcore he legally changed his name to Darth Vader. The electrician was previously known as Viktor Shevchenko.

Vader has a few goals:

  • Expel all deputies when he gets to parliament and computerize all government business
  • He’ll win the war against separatist rebels in the east, though also plans to withdraw government troops (we think he’ll use Sith or Bounty Hunters. No disintegrations!)
  • He will reclaim the Crimean Peninsula (see above on we guess he’ll achieve this)
  • Build a military space station to protect the Ukraine

Vader never shows his face, which prevented him from voting in May’s presidential elections. Election workers said he was violating voting rules.

Pollsters predict they they have little chance of getting into parliament.

And the announcement video from March: