Earlier this year, Mad Cave Studios released L.A. Strong. This special benefit anthology united the comic book community in support of creators who lost their homes in the devastating 2025 Los Angeles fires. It featured contributions from a fantastic lineup, including Barbara Kessel, Brian Azzarello, Brian Michael Bendis, Christos Gage, Dan DiDio, Daniel Kibblesmith, Frank Tieri, Greg Pak, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jody Houser, and more!
To date, it has raised over $25,000 and was recently awarded the 2025 Clampett Humanitarian Award. The award is named in honor of Bob Clampett, the iconic animator who brought characters like Porky Pig and Tweety Bird to life. Since 1984, Comic-Con International has presented this recognition to individuals or initiatives within comics and the popular arts that have made a meaningful humanitarian contribution.
L.A. Strong is set amid the chaos of Los Angeles. This gripping narrative thrums with urgency, introducing vividly real characters that leap off the page. The bold, expressive artwork amplifies the intensity, drawing readers deep into a world teetering on the edge. From gritty crime drama to poignant social insight and stunning visuals, this anthology fires on all cylinders. It offers a riveting, adrenaline-fueled experience filled with tension, action, and raw emotion, characterized by three words: gritty, relentless, and often cinematic.
One thing I liked about it was that the creators often did one-page stories. Heck, it’s hard enough to write an eight-page backup! You get all types of genres within the anthology, and the art is a plethora of some of the comic’s most unique artists. Admittedly, there are some names I didn’t recognize, which makes me want to look for more of their work.
The anthology remains available, with all proceeds going directly to those in need. I wish more publishers did things like this because there are not many people in need. Plus, it encourages creators to create unique and different content for themselves and their fans. If you haven’t gotten a copy of L.A. Strong, you should! It helps others and gives you some fantastic stories to delve into!
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