Review: LA Strong: A Charity Comic For Victims Of The Los Angeles Wildfires
By Kevin Hoskinson
Entertainment Editor
Earlier this year, Los Angeles was devastated by horrible wildfires. While fires are nothing new in Southern California, this was different. It was an unstoppable beast that spread faster than usual due to a drier-than-usual season and hurricane-force winds. It was unlike any weather event in California history, and the destruction left behind will take years to recover from and, for many, will last a lifetime.
While fictional superheroes like Superman couldn’t step in to save the day, we got real ones. Brave men and women from across the continent joined forces to create their own Justice League of sorts. While tragedies like this are never hoped for, one thing remains true during these trying times. It gives humanity the chance to shine and come together to show the universe what we are made of and that we did. The boots were on the ground every day, and the real heroes were the ones fighting this monster every step of the way.
To show their support and to help their creators who lost so much during the fires, Mad Cave Studios has released LA Strong: A Charity Comic For Victims Of The Los Angeles Wildfires. Featuring a wide array of writers and artists, it looks at the effects of fires on a tangible and emotional level. Featuring short stories from LA natives and transplants, it’s a celebration of the rollercoaster that is The City Of Angles. It’s a city that demands so much from those who want to make their dreams come true, but it’s also one of the world’s most supportive and comforting cities. There is no place like it, and this book displays that beautifully.
Every single page offers readers a glimpse into the mind of its creator. It features stories that are grounded and fantastical. Some of my favorite pages are those that don’t feature many words but let the artwork speak for itself. I often got emotional reading other people’s stories that hit close to home. Many of us can all relate to having that wide-eyed wonder, moving to a city far from home, and hoping for a dream to come true. Creating a family and buying the perfect home is something many dream of. You work really hard to build something, whether it be a career or family, and it’s all taken away or in danger of being destroyed. That is what happened during these fires, and those stories are told in LA Strong.
This is an incredible and important book. As somebody born and raised in Southern California, it hit home and exists for an amazing cause. The proceeds go directly to people whose lives were affected by the fires, and I highly recommend picking it up.
Rating: FIVE Pastrami Nations out of FIVE
