With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
'Love Is Love' brings Superman and Harry Potter together to benefit Pulse nightclub shooting victims
A page from the comic book anthology "Love Is Love."
(
DC Comics/IDW
)
A page from the comic book anthology "Love Is Love" featuring characters from the "Harry Potter" series.
(
DC Comics/IDW
)
A page from the comic book anthology "Love Is Love."
(
DC Comics/IDW
)
A page from the comic book anthology "Love Is Love."
(
DC Comics/IDW
)
A page from the comic book anthology "Love Is Love."
(
DC Comics/IDW
)
A page from the comic book anthology "Love Is Love."
(
DC Comics/IDW
)
The cover to comic book anthology "Love Is Love."
(
DC Comics/IDW
)
Comic book writer Marc Andreyko was hit hard by the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., so he decided to do something about it, reaching out to mastermind what became the new 144-page all-star comic book anthology "Love Is Love."
"As a gay man, I lived through the AIDS crisis, and when something this horrible happened, it brought back a lot of those feelings," Andreyko told KPCC. "I'm a child of the '80s; I'm a child of 'We Are The World' and 'Do They Know It's Christmas;' and my reflex was, the comics community needs to do something. We as artists need to do something about this. And by 7 o'clock that night, the Sunday, the day after the massacre, I had 75 different people — big name artists and writers and publishers and publicists and printers all saying, 'We're on board.'"
The proceeds from the project go to Equality Florida to help the families of those who were killed and survivors of the Pulse massacre. The materials and work put into the book were all donated.
"Everybody wanted to be a part of this book, and it wasn't a matter of pulling teeth at all," Andreyko said. "It was a matter of making sure I returned as many phone calls as possible
Support for LAist comes from
The project features one- to two-page stories about love from a who's who of comic book creators, along with non-comics names like comedian Patton Oswalt and former "Saturday Night Live" star Taran Killam.
A page from the comic book anthology "Love Is Love" featuring characters from the "Harry Potter" series.
(
DC Comics/IDW
)
One of the biggest names: J.K. Rowling, who gave her blessing to allow a quote from her work to be used with a new image of her characters, drawn by comic book great Jim Lee.
"We reached out to J.K. Rowling because of one of the kids who was killed in Orlando worked at the theme park ride at Universal," Andreyko said.
Andreyko got choked up talking about the project and the impact it could have on readers. He hopes readers find it both distressing and hopeful.
"I'm hoping that it upsets them, because horrible things like this shouldn't be compartmentalized and forgotten," Andreyko said. "Things like this are supposed to hurt for a long time, because they should never happen again. I hope people realize, like the title says, love is love."
Andreyko wrote an homage to the 1950s romance comic "Falling In Love," with a happy couple walking through a park and seeing straight, gay and transgender couples of all ages, illustrated by legendary comics artist George Perez.
Support for LAist comes from
Andreyko said he was inspired and overwhelmed by how everyone came together on the book, with companies even granting permission to use characters from Superman to Archie.
"If it's the last thing I'm known for, or the only thing I'm known for in my obituary, I'm good with that," Andreyko said. "The fact that this book might make a teenager in Oklahoma's life a little bit easier and give them hope — I mean, what's not to like about that?"
"Love Is Love" is in stores now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist