Komiks and Comics artists rally support for Yolanda victims

When super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) ravaged the Visayas region on Friday, it managed to leave behind a trail of destruction that even the most sinister super-villains could only dream of.

 

Even as various agencies and organizations extend aid to the victims of the typhoon through relief operations, local comic book artists have stepped up to the challenge, proving that you really don’t need a costume or cape to be a hero.

 

The Komikero Artists group, a collective of Filipino comic book creators, will make an announcement about fundraising efforts for the victims of the typhoon. Their plans will be revealed at the Komikon 2013, to be held on November 16 at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig.

 

Some Pinoy comics artists are currently auctioning off their sketches and illustrations for Typhoon Yolanda victims. These “komikeros” include Mico Suayan, JB Casacop, Allen Geneta, and Dennis Crisostomo.

 

Other “komikeros” have pledged to do individual sketching sessions at Komikon. Artist Reno Maniquis will use the funds generated from the sketching session to send aid to the victims through the Philippine Red Cross. Meanwhile, scribe and artist Elbert Or will be allocating all comic book and sketch sales during the event towards relief efforts as well.

 

Interestingly, local comics creators aren’t the only ones making an effort to help.

 

Yale Stewart, the creator of "JL8"—a weekly webcomic that features popular DC Comics characters as children—has created new artwork depicting the strip’s protagonists rushing aid to the Philippines, and is selling it as a cover/wallpaper bundle on his webpage. Stewart feels that the tragedy “hits a little closer to home than most,” as the Philippines comprises the second-largest part of his readership. He has also put up the original, inked version of the artwork for auction as well, with all proceeds going to UNICEF Philippines. —TJD, GMA News