The 'Love Is Love' Comic Book Raised So Much Money for Pulse Victims

DC Comics and IDW Publishing put together a comic book celebrating LGBTQ love, devoted to the victims, survivors, and families of last June's Pulse Nightclub shooting, and they've reportedly raised over $165,000!

The comic, appropriately entitled Love Is Love, was released in December  of 2016 and features touching stories dedicated to the 49 people killed. All proceeds have been donated to the OneOrlando Fund to aid those affected by the shooting at the gay nightclub.

A wide range of notable comic book creators and fans contributed to the book, including Patton Oswalt, Taran Killam, and Patty Jenkins. The book features characters like Superman, Harley Quinn, Batman, Wonderwoman, and even Harry Potter (with J.K. Rowling's blessing) with messages centering on LGBT love and equality.

One of the book's illustrators, Jim Lee, shared an image from the comic on his Instagram.

 

Check out @georgegustines lovely article in the @nytimes in which my "Love is love" contribution is revealed. This first of a kind illustration was done with #jkrowling's blessing, inspired by her quote: “Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.” –The Goblet of Fire #harrypotter #Loveislove is an amazing anthology and collaboration among so many of comicdom's finest talents with all proceeds going to the victims, survivors, and their families of the Orlando shooting tragedy via EQUALITY FLORIDA. I want to thank @idwpublishing editor #SarahGaydos and @dccomics Vertigo group editor @jamie_s_rich for their tireless work in making this book a reality. The full uncropped image available in the book in stores 12/28. Colors by the magnificent @markchidc!

A post shared by Jim Lee (@jimleeart) on Dec 18, 2016 at 7:55pm PST

The powerful image above shows Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Albus Dumbledore raising their wands in tribute to the fallen. It's especially poignant considering Luis S. Vielma, one of the 49 victims of the shooting, worked at Universal Studios and his coworkers there held a Potter-inspired vigil for him, raising their wands for their friend.  

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer released a statement saying “Words cannot express how grateful we are for the outpouring of generosity our community has received."

Marc Andreyko, creator of the comic, said “I am overwhelmed by the response to Love Is Love. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that this project would not only raise so much money, but touch so many lives around the globe."

IDW Publishing is now selling the 5th edition of the comic book, accompanied with this message on their site:

"The comic industry comes together in honor of those killed in Orlando. Co-published by two of the premiere publishers in comics—DC and IDW, this oversize comic contains moving and heartfelt material from some of the greatest talent in comics, mourning the victims, supporting the survivors, celebrating the LGBTQ community, and examining love in today’s world. All material has been kindly donated by the writers, artists, and editors with all proceeds going to victims, survivors, and their families. Be a part of an historic comics event! It doesn’t matter who you love. All that matters is you love."