Where We Live

LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED) -- The graphic anthology 9-11: Emergency Relief raised money for the Red Cross. The recent Love Is Love supported victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, while Puerto Rico Strong assisted Hurricane Maria disaster relief. Now Las Vegas residents and curators J.H. Williams III (Batwoman; The Sandman: Overture) and wife Wendy Wright-Williams offer a collection of 75 short comics from creators around the world in response to the 2017 mass shooting, the worst in modern American history. Eyewitness accounts, quirky parables and allegories, commentaries from varied viewpoints, and fictional entries about violence, victims, and community comprise this devastating, kaleidoscopic work compiled by former DC/Vertigo editor Dennis, with assistant Michael Perlman. The more than 160 contributors, including numerous comics luminaries-Neil Gaiman, Mike Mignola, Gail Simone, and Fabio Moon as well as curator Williams-present various art styles that collectively exhibit beauty, thoughtfulness, and visceral punch in depicting tragedy and compassion: how "Everything matters. Everyone matters." Proceeds will be donated to Route 91 Strong. Verdict This wrenching and inspiring read deserves prominent display in all public and high school libraries to encourage meditation, understanding, and discussion among everyone willing to look beyond the headlines.