The comics industry may be on pause thanks to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, so the creators behind the books are launching a charity auction with the aim of aiding comic book stores hit hardest. Organized by the likes of Brian Michael Bendis, Sam Humphries, Kami Garcia, Gwenda Bond and Phil Jimenez, the #Creators4Comics campaign kicks off Wednesday and will benefit the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC) and its efforts to support struggling independent book stores.
With the fallout of this virus hitting the comic book scene especially hard, BINC has had its hands full lately doing whatever the organization can to help. Earlier this month, DC Comics donated $250,000 to BINC in the hopes of supporting hurting comic book retailers, most of which have been shuttered across the country. Even stores that remain open will struggle to keep shelves stocked now that the country's largest comic distributor has halted deliveries indefinitely.
The auctions will take place on Twitter from Wednesday, April 15, 2020 to Monday, April 20, 2020 at 9 AM PST (12 PM EST). As reported by NYT, at least 120 industry creators will unite under the hashtag #Creators4Comics, at which point potential bidders will be able to search out and bid on the offerings, "everything from signed comics to artwork to unique events and experiences," according to the campaign website. If you see something you like, simply check the bidding action in that individual tweet's comments and put out your offer. Instead of paying the creator directly, auction winners will be asked to provide proof of a donation to BINC in the amount of the bid. Delivery details will be ironed out afterward, with detailed instructions on Creators4Comics' website.
While April 20 is the official end date of the campaign as a whole, organizers suggest that bidders should double check the description to anything they bid on to be sure that particular auctioneer isn't ending early for whatever reason. A comprehensive list of participating artists isn't currently available, but the website says any creator can participate and offer an item for auction, even if they're not a household name. Anyone looking to participate should simply tag @Creators4Comics, so that they can track and promote your auction.
The event's organizers drew inspiration from the #AuthorsForFiries, a similar project launched to support Australian firefighting efforts earlier this year. With the same Twitter auction format, that campaign was able to raise more than half a million dollars for the cause. Hopefully #Creators4Comics will see similar success, especially now, as struggling independent book stores and comic retailers need the help more than ever. "These stores supported us," reads the banner at the top of the campaign's site. "Now it's our turn to support them!"
Source: New York Times