We Are Los Angeles

In January 2025, wildfires devastated Los Angeles. In response, over 30 local writers and artists banded together to create an anthology of children's comics in support of wildfire relief.

Collectively, their stories showcase why Los Angeles is such a magical place to call home. Each story is as varied and as imaginative as the city itself. Within this anthology, you will meet...

…anthropomorphic satellites who beam help from space…

...a rescue dog who dreams of rescuing the city that rescued him…

...and a deermouse, who observes as native plants return to his hillside home.

We Are Los Angeles compiles 22 stories all by local creators. Sequentially, the stories build off of each other. They recount how the fires transpired, reflect on the communal relief efforts, and imagine how Los Angeles can rebuild to make our city and world a more beautiful, sustainable, and equitable place for all.

When disaster strikes, there are those who sow division, and then there are communities who rally around and support each other. We Are Los Angeles speaks to the power of collective action to shape positive change. From our city to yours, together, we believe we can make a world of a difference. Because… We Are Los Angeles.

All profits from this book benefit local wildfire relief.

Josh Oaktree (editor) is the founder and managing director of Oak Tree Comics, an independent children's book publisher where imagination meets environmentalism. His childhood bookshelf housed dog-eared collections of Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, and the Smithsonian's wildlife storybooks. Now he writes children's comics that celebrate nature. When not brainstorming his next book adventure, he recharges by exploring the great outdoors.

“I love Los Angeles because of the friends I've made here, who bring meaning to my every day.”

Hannah Perez (book designer) is a multimedia artist and naturalist with a background in photography. She found her love for art at an early age, inspired by her uncle's dinosaur drawings. That spark blossomed into a lifelong love of painting, the darkroom, printmaking, and a career in design and illustration. Her artwork speaks of nature, existentialism, and the surreal spectrum of life.

“I love Los Angeles because of all of the beautiful diversity in LA's ecology and culture.”

In the order that they appear within the book, We Are Los Angeles's story contributors include: Aaron Painter, Reid Byron, Ashley Breitman, Leah Patel, Catherine Chen, Aishwarya Chandramohan, Francis C. Marfone, Justine Alameda, Melissa May Curtis, John Charles Bricker, Rebecca Avalos, Miguel Ramirez, Lili Todd, Brad Beideman, Léandre Perrin, Kristin Marine, Elsa Valent-Croci, Shideh Ghandeharizadeh, Kelsea Mayfield, Trenyce Tong, Pedro Iniguez, Tenzin Lhamo, Lucy Xue, Srimoyee Acharya, Amanda Leigh Smith, Kristen Wang, Emily Brunner, Katie Lazo, Stephen Lee, Jason Wise, Lesley Goren, and Phoebe Longhi.