This Puerto Rico Benefit Anthology's Proceeds Go Right to Charity

CBR

Comics Creators Unite for Puerto Rico Benefit Anthology

By Brandon Staley

Published Dec 7, 2017

The Puerto Rico Strong anthology will feature art and writing by some of Puerto Rico’s top talent, with all proceeds going to charity.

Comic book publisher Lion Forge has announced it will release a comics anthology titled Puerto Rico Strong, the profits from which will go entirely to aiding Puerto Rico as the island struggles to rebuild its infrastructure after the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico Strong will collect the works of some of Puerto Rico’s most talented comics artists for an anthology that will touch on what it means to be Puerto Rican.

“When a particular area of the world is struggling, it is everyone’s responsibility to find ways to help” David Steward II, the founder of Lion Forge, said in a press release. “We at Lion Forge are always looking for ways to bolster diversity of content and creators, and we thought the best way to help the people of Puerto Rico would be to highlight some of the unique voices in our industry with a deep connection to Puerto Rican heritage. We are donating 100% of the book’s profits to the ongoing relief efforts.”

Those proceeds will go to the Disaster Relief and Recovery Programs to Support Puerto Rico, which was founded by the Hispanic Federation to aid those affected by Hurricane Maria. The Hispanic Federation has helped Puerto Rico by organizing donation drives, distributing resources to the island and raising over $3 million in aid.

“For many, Puerto Rico is often considered a foreign land rather than a part of the United States,” Lion Forge Editor Desiree Rodriguez said. “What we hope to accomplish here is showcasing the vast diversity of Puerto Rico of our community and our history. There are those of us whose parents immigrated from the island, or who have family on the island still, or have never even seen Puerto Rico. We want to explore those stories of struggle and triumph through that lens.”

Puerto Rico Strong will include writing and art by Rosa Colón (Soda Pop Comics), Vita Ayala (BITCH Planet), Naomi Franquiz (Misfit City), Javier Cruz Winnick (A Reason to Smile!), Sabrina Cintron (La Borinquena), Tristan Tarwater (Hen & Chick), Fabian Nicieza (co-creator of Deadpool) and Joamette Gil (Power & Magic), among others. The anthology will be co-edited by Rodriguez, alongside Marco Lopez, Neil Shwartz and Derek Ruiz.

Edited by Lion Forge, Puerto Rico Strong will be available for purchase at comic book shops and bookstores in March of 2018.