You’re never alone. In times of disaster, it can feel like it though. Just over two months ago the city of Los Angeles burned with some of the most devastating fires in its history. Here we are at the end of March and it feels like a lifetime ago. We’ve packed a lot of other traumas in the weeks since. Sometimes you just need to hear other people’s voices to remind you of our connectedness. With LA Strong, Mad Cave Studio gives many comics creators a platform for their voice and a balm for the rest of us. We’re not alone.
It’s a charity comic for victims of the Los Angeles Fires, more thematic pages than a narrative. Though I’ll argue there’s a narrative in people expressing hope. A few creators were given an extra page or two, either as a story requires or to introduce other comic book characters. For the latter, those appearances seem carefully considered. The Pedestrian does stand for community after all.
Some pages are illustrated essays, some cries for community. All of them remind us that though we often use fiction to escape our daily pains, we’re connected by more than that. Reading stories from creators both mainstream and not, LA Strong is exactly the book I didn’t know I needed right now. I learned of some creators with experiences close to mine, and some with greater resilience for me to aspire to.
To celebrate it, Mad Cave Studios held a launch party/signing at Revenge of Comics and Pinball last Saturday night. Again, a chance at community, with creators ranging from Archie writer Timmy Heague to comics legend Marv Wolfman. A few othere creators were there just to connect — not network — truly connect.
Though it was fun, there was also a somber undertone as people compared stories of the fires. I talked with many who had lost everything, but were grateful for a night out at a comic shop so they could buy some reading material and take their mind off rebuilding. It’s going to be a long time before we stop comparing notes.
Long story short, find your people. Find your community. And share moments with them. Because LA Strong has many stories reminding us it’s the moments that matter.
