Batman and Superman donated by Mico Suayan to raise funds to help victims of Hurricane Haiyan and other disasters in the Philippines.

The Komikero Artists Group, a collective of Filipino comic book creators, whose work should be well known to many British comic fans, has announced some of its fundraising plans to raise money for the victims of Typhoon Yolande (Haiyan) and other recent disasters, both personal and national, that have hit the Philippines and members its creative community.

Philippines comic artists include writer, artist and publisher Gerry Alanguilan, JB Casacop, Allen Geneta, and Mico Suayan.

Despite the disaster that has hit their country hard, prompting relief efforts from across the globe, the Filipino creators will still hold their annual Komikon gathering this Saturday (16th November) at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig.

The event will include a fundraising auction of artworks, initially planned a few months ago to benefit fellow Komikero in need, Vergil Espinosa, part of a team who created Bayan Knights, a fictional superhero team from the Philippines, who has suffered kidney failure.

“Then the earthquake in Bohol happened,” says Gerry, “and [event organiser] Lui Antonio contacted our group if we could help raise funds for that calamity as well. We agreed. “We will continue with our fund raising efforts for Bohol Earthquake victims as well as for Vergil at this coming Komikon.

“We are fully aware of the great and unimaginable tragedy that has befallen our country within the last week due to Typhoon Yolanda. We understand that many of you would wish to help those victims as well. Please do not worry as we will have plenty of opportunity to do so. For this Saturday, we do wish to go ahead and raise funds for our original recipients: Bohol and Vergil, as this is what we have already promised to do.”

There are now plans to have another fund raising specifically for Typhoon Yolanda victims.

“Since it is still currently being organized, we cannot share more info about it, but rest assured it is being put together will all due haste as we understand that the need is great and immediate.”

Several comics artists are already auctioning off their sketches and illustrations for disaster victims, including:

• Gerry Alanguilan has donated art featuring characters from his own comic, ELMER, to the auction for Vergil Espinosa and the earthquake victims, which you can view here

• Marvel artist Dennis Crisostomo has donate art

• Artist Reno Maniquis will send funds raised at a sketching session to send aid to the victims through the Philippine Red Cross

• Writer and artist Elbert Or also donate money raised from sketching to relief efforts

• Marvel Comics artist Mico Suayan has donated a Batman and Superman illustration to the Earthquake Appeal auction, above

Other “komikeros” have pledged to do individual sketching sessions at Komikon.

Beyond the Philippines, Yale Stewart, who draws the weekly webcomic JL8 featuring 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 told GMA Network he 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.

• Check out this Facebook gallery to see what artworks are available for bidding
If you wish to bid right now, send a PM to the gallery owner, Johnny Danganan. This will be a silent online auction, which will continue at Komikon until 5.30pm. Please contact Johnny for details.

• Here’s an online guide to art being auctioned in aid of victims of the Bohol Earthquake

• If you would simply like to support the general relief efforts, visit the Disaster Emergency Committee web site to find out how – www.dec.org.uk – or, to make an immediate donation on your mobile, text the word DONATE to 70000 to donate £5. Your full £5 donation goes to the DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal. This donation will be taken directly from your phone bill

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: downthetubes Comics News

Tags: Comics Charity Projects, Gerry Alanguilan, Reno Maniquis, Typhoon Haiyan