Superhero wrestlers and the genetically manipulated Killeroo have joined forces with the human community of Australia to help in the battle against the devastating effects of bushfires.
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Many people in the Canberra region have been doing their bit to provide bushfire relief. Comic book writers and artists - in the ACT, nationally and internationally - have also been using their talents to help in their own way.
Longtime comic book writer Tim Stiles was frustrated by politicians' responses that seemed to underplay the effects of the fires and wanted to do more to help.
Mr Stiles gained the support of two dozen friends, acquaintances and others in the comic book industry to produce the full-colour fundraising anthology Australia Burns: Tales of Devastation and Courage Under Fire.
He is editing the 80-page collection of work responding to the bushfires that will be available in March. There are already hundreds of preorders with more than $3000 raised so far.
All profits will go towards helping firefighters and families affected by the bushfires.
Mr Stiles asked two of his friends, wrestlers Erika Reid (professional name Dreamtime Voodoo Witch) and Syd Parker (The Jurassic Punk) if he could write a story using them as characters with superpowers helping people in the bushfires.
They agreed and things grew from there, with artists and writers from the US and Britain who had heard about the fires pitching in with Australian comic creators to donate their time and talents. And it all happened in a very short space of time.
"There's been a very quick turnaround - about three weeks in the comic book community in Australia and beyond," Mr Stiles said.
He said, "I personally feel a lot of conflicting emotions with each story I read, each news program I see... My goal was to have the whole spectrum of emotions in the book," Mr Stiles said.
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He will also be using another of his talents to contribute to bushfire relief, performing with the band Paradise Nights in the Snowy Monaro Region Benefit Concert at the Harmonie German Club on January 26.
Paradise Nights will be joined by other local groups including Sneaky Jeremiah, Boogie Tribe and Urban Drove. They have all donated their time to raise money for charities helping people in the Snowy Monaro region: eventbrite.com.au.
Impact Comics co-owner Mal Briggs said he would create a two-page comic inspired by a conversation with Wingello firefighter Carlyle Seers, whose house was spared in the fires that burned right up to the verandah, as part of the anthology.
Mr Briggs said he thought producing the anthology was a good example of the way local people did what they could to help and to make a difference even if, as comic book producers, they "don't have deep pockets to donate cash".
He said, "We're doing what we can" and hoped people would buy Australia Burns in support of bushfire relief.
To preorder the $20 anthology, visit impactcomics.com.au.