The Appalachia Comics Project (ACP) invites the community to its celebration event for “Islands in the Sky,” a powerful anthology of graphic narratives capturing the stories of Hurricane Helene survivors and the enduring spirit of Southern Appalachia. The free public celebration will take place on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Resurrection Studio Collective, located at 160 Broadway Street in Asheville.

Launched in late 2024 by award-winning graphic novelist Andrew Aydin (co-author of the National Book Award-winning March trilogy), the Appalachia Comics Project is a nonprofit initiative dedicated to empowering underrepresented Appalachian voices through comics. In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact in the fall of 2024, ACP pairs local survivors with professional creators to document tales of survival, solidarity, and recovery. This grassroots effort not only preserves regional history but also provides income, visibility, and resources to communities still rebuilding.

The project features contributions from more than 20 renowned creators, including Pulitzer Prize & National Book Award winners, New York Times bestselling authors, MacArthur Fellowship recipients, and Eisner Award recipients. Notable collaborators include Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man), Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese), Matt Fraction (Hawkeye), Nate Powell (March), Greg Pak (Planet Hulk), Steve Orlando (Midnighter), Alex Segura (Secret Identity), Thien Pham (Family Style), Briana Loewinsohn (Ephemera), Valentine De Landro (Bitch Planet), Aster D’Amico, Josh Adams, Anthony Del Col, Matthew Manning (Batman: The Adventures Continue), Nick Filardi (Miles Morales: Spider-Man), and Andrew Aydin.

"This anthology is a testament to the unbreakable bonds of Appalachian communities and turning floodwaters into foundations for hope," said Manning.

"Stories are our strongest bridges. “Islands in the Sky” isn't just comics; it's a call to action for empathy and equity in Appalachia," Aydin reflected

The event at Resurrection Studio Collective, a 10,000-square-foot creative hub reborn from the Moog factory's industrial legacy, will include comics, books, and art for sale, writer and artist signings, live coloring demos, survivor storytelling sessions, and previews of the anthology. Attendees can enjoy music provided by local cross-cultural musical trio Tanteo, along with refreshments, while learning how to support ACP's mission.

To meet the early 2026 release date, ACP seeks additional fundraising for production, printing, and distribution. Donations can be made at appalachiacomics.org, with perks like exclusive prints for early supporters.

The event is open to the public with a suggested $5 donation. To purchase advance tickets, please visit: https://www.resurrectionavl.com/workshopclasses/islands-in-the-sky

For more information on Appalachia Comics Project, visit www.appalachiacomics.org

Panel: The Importance of Teaching With Comics

Friday, December 2nd at 8:30am

Registration: Click Here

Free Event!

To attend, please email RSVP to LNessel@uga.edu in advance.

Location: Room 285 of the UGA Special Collections Building

Join the Hargrett Library for the induction of John Lewis into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in room 285 of the UGA Special Collections Building. Following his induction, co-writer Andrew Aydin and illustrator Nate Powell of Congressman Lewis's March Trilogy and Run will participate in a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Charlayne Hunter-Gault; a light reception will follow. This event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is required. Email LNessel@uga.edu to RSVP.

In Conversation: The Life & Legacy of Congressman John Lewis

From the late Congressman John Lewis (1940-2020) and his co-author and collaborator Andrew Aydin comes Run: Book One, the first installment of a powerful new graphic novel series focusing on the struggle for civil rights and the personal story of Lewis, one of the movement’s most iconic leaders. Joining the conversation is Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson and journalist Russell Motley.

To attend in-person, purchase tickets here: Purchase Tickets

To livestream this event, please visit MiamiBookFairOnline.com

Join the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 7:00 pm as we welcome Andrew Aydin, author of the "March" trilogy and former Digital Director & Policy Advisor to the late Congressman John Lewis.

This event will take place virtually through Zoom. All people who submit their email through the RSVP form below will receive a Zoom link on the day of the event to join Andrew Aydin's talk and to ask questions afterwards using the chat box feature.

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Virtual Lecture at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy; The Brody Forum

Virtual Access Link: TBD

Pacific Lutheran University
Olson Auditorium, 124th St. S.,
Tacoma, WA

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This Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series event is co-presented with the Conflict and Peace Initiative at the University of Michigan’s International Institute and the King-Chavez-Parks Visiting Professors Program. The Conflict and Peace Initiative is hosting a series of Fall 2017 social justice events called Marching Forward.

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Join Sweetwater Center for the Arts for this intimate evening with Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, co-authors of March, the New York Times bestselling trilogy of graphic novels. This ticketed event opens with a cocktail reception with live music by Jemiriye Adeniji and will feature a book signing and lecture by the authors. Admission includes one book from the series. This event is part of Sewickley Academy's Sewickley Series.

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OR

Call 412-741-4405 for tickets
Tickets will not be sold at the door.

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The program is entitled 'Every Hero Has A Story' Comics Panel featuring Esther Kim of Fantom Comics, Peter Casazza of Big Planet Comics, Shawn Martinbrough, and Andrew Aydin. 

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