NP 9-11 the comic book

[Doug Millison]

PW Daily Book of the Day: 9-11 Emergency Relief

On the morning of September 11, Jeff Mason, a defense attorney who
doubles as the publisher of Alternative Comics, an independent Florida
publisher of comix and graphic novels, made a frantic call to a New York
City cartoonist friend while watching the World Trade Center Towers
burn. "He was freaking out," said Mason, "but right then and there, the
same day, we decided to do a book."

9-11 Emergency Relief, the book they spoke about that morning, is now
out and contains the works of 83 cartoonists who recount their reactions
and experiences in the aftermath of the horrific attack. Many of the
artists focus on the moment when they first realized what was happening
and go on to detail the disbelief, fear and frenzied efforts to reach
friends, loved ones and acquaintances. The book is about their most
private reflections--from the most poignant to the bleakly comic--about
the events of September 11, 2001.

Mason told PW Daily that the 83 contributors were winnowed down from
nearly 300 submissions. "A lot of people couldn't work after the
attacks," he said. "They wanted to do something but didn't know what. I
told them I wanted subjectivity. I wanted humanity not politics. I
wanted the book to be a window into what people were feeling, so that
when people look at it 20 years from now, they'll know something about
how we responded."

The book includes the work of such well-known comics artists as Harvey
Pekar, Jessica Abel, Jeff Smith, Nick Bertozzi, Dean Haspiel, Ted Rall,
Tony Millionaire and others. All proceeds from the sale of the book will
be donated to the American Red Cross. The first printing is for 40,000
copies and distribution is through Diamond (nonreturnable), LPC, Last
Gasp, Cold Cut and FM.

Mason has also organized book signings and in-store appearances with
many of the book's contributors at bookstores around the country. On
January 22, images from 911 Emergency Relief along with images from
several other benefit comix and graphic novels will go on exhibit at the
New York City Fire Museum at 278 Spring St.

Booksellers interested in attending the press party on January 23 should
contact Mason at 352-373-6336 or visit the benefit Web site at
www.indyworld.com/relief.--Calvin Reid

from:
PW Daily for Booksellers from Publishers Weekly
http://publishersweekly.reviewsnews.com
Monday, January 14, 2002: