Editing Walt Simonson (section)

==Career==
[[File:Simonson StarSlammers-GNcvr.jpg|left|thumb|180px|''[[Star Slammers]]'' graphic novel (1983)]]

===1970s===
In August 1972, Simonson traveled to New York with his ''Star Slammers'' portfolio, and met with Gerry Boudreau, a friend who worked for [[DC Comics]], where, as Simonson recalls, many young artists had begun working in the 1970s, in contrast to Marvel, which Simonson perceived as more stagnant. Boudreau arranged a meeting between Simonson and editor [[Archie Goodwin (comics)|Archie Goodwin]]. After meeting with Goodwin, Simonson went to DC's coffee room, where he saw [[Howard Chaykin]], [[Michael Kaluta]], [[Berni Wrightson]] and [[Alan Weiss (comics)|Alan Weiss]] sitting together. Simonson struck up a conversation with the artists, who looked at his portfolio. Kaluta showed Simonson's work to Assistant Production Manager [[Jack Adler]], who in turn showed it to DC Publisher [[Carmine Infantino]], who after being shown the portfolio, summoned Simonson into his office. After speaking to Simonson for about ten minutes, he had Goodwin and his fellow editors [[Julius Schwartz]] and [[Joe Orlando]] give Simonson work. Simonson walked out of Infantino's office with jobs from each one of them.<ref name=DirectCurrents/>

At one point Simonson lived in the same Queens apartment building as artists [[Allen Milgrom]], [[Howard Chaykin]] and [[Bernie Wrightson]]. Simonson recalls, "We'd get together at 3 a.m. They'd come up and we'd have popcorn and sit around and talk about whatever a 26, 27 and 20-year-old guys talk about. Our art, TV, you name it. I pretty much knew at the time, 'These are the good ole days.'"<ref name=LATimes>Warner, Meredith (March 25, 2017). [http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-bernie-wrightson-20170320-htmlstory.html "How Bernie Wrightson uncovered the soul of the monster in his work"]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.</ref>

Simonson's first professional published comic book work was illustrating writer [[Len Wein]]'s story "Cyrano's Army", which appeared in DC's ''[[Weird War Tales]]'' #10,<ref name=DirectCurrents/><ref>{{cite journal|last = Cooke|first = Jon B.|title = Simonson Says The Man of Two Gods Recalls His 25+ Years in Comics|journal = [[Comic Book Artist]]|issue = 10|page = 18|publisher = [[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|date = October 2000|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> which was cover-dated January 1973. Such short back-up war stories comprised most of Simonson's early published work.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Arndt|first=Richard J.|title="Nice" Is the Word: A Few Words on Archie Goodwin|journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=103 |page=11|publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing|date=April 2018 |location=Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> He also did a number of illustrations for the [[Harry N. Abrams, Inc.]] edition of ''[[The Hobbit]],'' and at least one unrelated print of a samurai warrior that was purchased by [[Harvard University]]'s [[Fogg Museum]], and included in its annual undergraduate-use loan program. Simonson's breakthrough illustration job was "[[Manhunter (comics)|Manhunter]]", a backup feature in DC's ''[[Detective Comics]]'' written by Goodwin, which cemented Simonson's professional reputation.<ref name=DirectCurrents/><ref>{{cite book|last1=McAvennie|first1= Michael|editor-last=Dolan|editor-first=Hannah|chapter= 1970s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page=157 |quote =Together with exciting new artist Walt Simonson, [Archie] Goodwin executed seven flawless tales that chronicled Paul Kirk's hunt for the world's deadliest game." " Manhunter's award-winning revival earned undying acclaim for its talented storytellers.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last = Boney|first = Alex|title = Hunting the Hunters: Manhunter and the Most Dangerous Game|journal= [[Back Issue!]]|issue = 64|pages = 44–50|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = May 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> In a 2000 interview, Simonson recalled, "What 'Manhunter' did was to establish me professionally. Before 'Manhunter,' I was one more guy doing comics; after 'Manhunter,' people in the field knew who I was. It'd won a bunch of awards the year that it ran, and after that, I really had no trouble finding work."<ref>Cooke, Jon B. (October 2000). ''Comic Book Artist'' #10 p. 20</ref> Simonson then drew other DC series such as ''[[Metal Men]]'' and ''[[Hercules Unbound]]''<ref name="GCD">{{gcdb|type=credit|search= Walt+Simonson|title= Walt Simonson}} and {{gcdb|type=credit|search= Walter+Simonson|title= Walter Simonson}}</ref> and co-created [[Doctor Phosphorus]] with [[Steve Englehart]].<ref>{{cite book|last1= Manning|first1= Matthew K.|editor-last=Dougall|editor-first=Alastair|chapter= 1970s|title= Batman: A Visual History|publisher= [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year= 2014|location= London, United Kingdom|page= 125|isbn= 978-1465424563|quote= Engelhart and Simonson introduced readers to Dr. Phosphorus, who earned a spot in Batman's Rogues Gallery.}}</ref> ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #300 (June 1978) featured a story by Simonson and writer [[David Vern Reed]].<ref>{{cite journal|last= Trumbull|first= John|title= A New Beginning...And a Probable End ''Batman'' #300 and #400|journal= Back Issue!|issue= 69|pages= 49–53|publisher= TwoMorrows Publishing|date= December 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref><ref>Manning "1970s" in Dougall, p. 128: "Crafted by writer David V. Reed and penciller Walter Simonson, this special 34-page issue imagined a possible future where Gotham City had become the hub of Magalopolis-East."</ref> In 1979 Simonson and Goodwin collaborated on an adaptation of the movie ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'', published by ''[[Heavy Metal (magazine)|Heavy Metal]]''. It was that book that Simonson began his long working relationship with letterer [[John Workman]], who would go on to letter most of Simonson's work.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/walt-simonson-reflects-on-alien-the-illustrated-story/ |title=Walt Simonson Reflects on "Alien: The Illustrated Story" |last=Keily |first=Karl |date=October 30, 2012 |website=[[CBR.com]] |access-date=October 30, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/25/from-alien-to-thor-to-avengers-walt-simonson |title=From Alien to Thor to Avengers: Walt Simonson |last=Collura |first=Scott |date=October 25, 2012 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=October 25, 2012}}</ref>

Starting in January 1977, Simonson was the original artist on ''[[The Rampaging Hulk]]'', a [[black-and-white]] magazine published by Marvel's [[List of magazines released by Marvel Comics in the 1970s|Curtis Magazines]] line.<ref>{{cite book|last1 = Sanderson|first1 = Peter|author-link = Peter Sanderson|editor-last= Gilbert|editor-first= Laura|chapter= 1970s|title = Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2008|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 178|isbn =978-0756641238|quote= In these stories, written by Doug Moench and drawn by Walter Simonson, the Hulk contended against an invading race of aliens called the Krylorians.}}</ref> Simonson also had his first run on ''[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'' at this time, working only as the series' artist alongside writer Len Wein.<ref name="GCD" /> In late 1978,<ref name="Cooke p. 25">Cooke (2000) p. 25</ref> Simonson, [[Howard Chaykin]], [[Val Mayerik]], and [[Jim Starlin]] formed [[Upstart Associates]], a shared studio space on West 29th Street in New York City. The membership of the studio changed over time.<ref>{{cite book |last1= Nolen-Weathington|first1= Eric|title= Modern Masters, Volume 8: Walter Simonson|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ILopomw3UpMC&q=Modern+Masters+Walt+Simonson+Upstart&pg=PA34|access-date= January 29, 2012 |year= 2006|location= Raleigh, North Carolina|publisher= TwoMorrows Publishing|isbn= 1-893905-64-0|page= 34}}</ref>

In 1979 Simonson did writing and art on a book for the first time with his run on Marvel's licensed ''[[Battlestar Galactica (comic book)#Marvel Comics|Battlestar Galactica]]'' series,<ref name=Slush/> penciling 12 sporadic issues from issues #4 to 23 with writer [[Roger McKenzie (comics)|Roger McKenzie]]. Simonson began co-writing the series with McKenzie with issue #11, co-wrote some issues with [[Bob Layton]] and [[Steven Grant]] after McKenzie left the title, began writing the book himself with issue #19, staying on until issue #23.<ref name="GCD" />

===1980s===
In 1982, Simonson and writer [[Chris Claremont]] produced ''[[The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans]]'' [[intercompany crossover]] between the top-selling Marvel and DC titles.<ref>Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 199: "The issue, written by longtime ''X-Men'' scribe Chris Claremont and drawn by Walter Simonson [was]...one of the most well-received crossovers of its time - or of any time for that matter - the team-up was a huge success."</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last = Brown|first = Jonathan|title = ''The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans'': The Breakfast Club of the Comics Crossover|journal= Back Issue!|issue = 66|pages = 65–68|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|date = August 2013|location= Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref>

Simonson is best known for his work on Marvel Comics' ''[[Thor (comic book)|Thor]]'' which he began writing and drawing with issue #337 (Nov. 1983).<ref>[[Tom DeFalco|DeFalco, Tom]] "1980s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 213: "This issue began a highly acclaimed run by writer/artist Walt Simonson that would last for nearly four years and end with issue #382 (Aug. 1987)."</ref> During his run as writer/artist, Simonson used the epic story that he first began writing in college in 1967,<ref name=ThorVisionaries/> transformed Thor into a [[frog]] for three issues and introduced the supporting character [[Beta Ray Bill]], an alien warrior who unexpectedly proved worthy to wield Thor's hammer, [[Mjolnir (comics)|Mjolnir]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.popimage.com/reviews/071001thorsimonsonrev.html|title= Review: ''Thor Visionaries: Walter Simonson''|first= Matt|last= Singer|date= July 10, 2001|publisher= PopImage|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131016233812/http://www.popimage.com/reviews/071001thorsimonsonrev.html|archive-date= October 16, 2013|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.silverbulletcomics.com/news/story.php?a=2189|title= Merely This and Nothing More: Defining Our Heroes|first= Cary|last= Kelley|date= August 21, 2006|publisher= Silverbulletcomics.com|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061026023551/http://www.silverbulletcomics.com/news/story.php?a=2189|archive-date= October 26, 2006|url-status= dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> He left the book as artist with issue #367 (May 1986), after which [[Sal Buscema]] took over. Simonson continued to write the book until issue #382 (Aug. 1987).<ref name="GCD"/> Buscema described Simonson's stories as "very stimulating. It was a pleasure working on his plots, because they were a lot of fun to illustrate. He had a lot of great ideas, and he took ''Thor'' in a totally new direction."<ref>{{cite book|last = Amash|first = Jim|author2=Nolen-Weathington,, Eric |title = Sal Buscema: Comics' Fast & Furious Artist|publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing|year = 2010|location= Raleigh, North Carolina|page = 72|isbn = 978-1605490212}}</ref> In late 1986 he dropped several of his assignments, including ''Thor'', remarking that "I had a very busy season over the past six to eight months, and I'd like to take some time off, to take time maybe to take stock and refuel a bit."<ref name="DAK39">{{cite news | first = Peter | last = Sanderson | author-link = Peter Sanderson | date = October 1986 | title = Walt & Louise Simonson | work = [[Comics Interview]] | issue = 39 | pages = 42–57 | publisher = [[Fictioneer Books]]}}</ref>

Simonson was to have drawn a ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' story written by [[Frank Miller (comics)|Frank Miller]] but it was never completed and [[List of comics solicited but never published|remains unpublished]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manwithoutfear.com/daredevil-interviews/Simonson |title=Interview With Walt Simonson |first=Kuljit |last=Mithra |date=August 1997 |publisher=ManWithoutFear.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321183824/http://www.manwithoutfear.com/daredevil-interviews/Simonson |archive-date=March 21, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=March 17, 2013 |quote=The gist of it is that by the time Marvel was interested in having us work on the story, Frank was off doing ''Dark Knight'' and I was off doing ''X-Factor''. So it never happened. Too bad--it was a cool story too.|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Simonson joined his wife Louise on the ''[[X-Factor (comic book)|X-Factor]]'' series with issue #10. In #25, the creators gave the character the [[Warren Worthington III|Angel]] blue skin and metal wings in a process which would lead to his being renamed as "Archangel". Their run on ''X-Factor'' included the story arcs "[[Mutant Massacre]]", "[[Fall of the Mutants]]," and "[[Inferno (Marvel Comics)|Inferno]]".<ref name="GCD" />

In 1983, he returned to ''Star Slammers'' with another version of the story that Marvel published in ''[[Marvel Graphic Novel]]'' No. 6.<ref name=Slush/>

Simonson left Upstart Associates in late 1986.<ref>Cooke (2000) p. 26</ref>

===1990s===
Simonson became writer of the ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' with issue #334 (Dec. 1989), and three issues later began penciling and inking as well (#337). For issues #347–349, he collaborated with [[Art Adams|Arthur Adams]], introducing the "New Fantastic Four" consisting of [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]], [[Spider-Man]], [[Ghost Rider (Danny Ketch)|Ghost Rider]] and the [[Hulk]].<ref>Nolen-Weathington ''Modern Masters Volume Eight Walter Simonson'' p. 67</ref><ref>Manning, Matthew K. "1990s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 252: "Spider-Man, the Hulk, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider were tricked into forming a new Fantastic Four...Written by Walter Simonson with art by Arthur Adams, this new FF found themselves locked in battle with the Mole Man."</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1 = Cowsill|first1 = Alan|editor-last= Gilbert|editor-first= Laura|chapter= 1990s|title = Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|year = 2012|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 186|isbn = 978-0756692360|quote= Take Spidey, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and the Hulk, add a script by Walt Simonson and illustrations by Art Adams, and the result is one of the best Marvel comics of the decade.}}</ref> In issue #345 he depicted [[dinosaurs with feathers]], two decades before this idea gained mainstream acceptance among paleontologists. Simonson's decision to depict the dinosaurs in this manner was inspired by [[Gregory S. Paul]]'s then-controversial book, ''Predatory Dinosaurs of the World'', in which Paul theorized that dinosaurs had feathers. Because this idea was met with skepticism from the scientific community at the time, Simonson decided to compromise by depicting the dinosaurs with a small amount of feathers, rather than covered with them.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2015/07/03/comic-book-legends-revealed-530/2/|title= Comic Book Legends Revealed #530|first= Brian|last= Cronin|date= July 3, 2015|publisher= [[CBR.com]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150705202348/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2015/07/03/comic-book-legends-revealed-530/2|archive-date= July 5, 2015|url-status= dead|df=mdy-all|quote= This is because Simonson...decided to be as accurate as he possibly could in the depiction of the dinosaurs in the issue. He relied heavily on Gregory Paul's book, ''Predator Dinosaurs of the World'', which was a controversial call at the time as Paul's theories regarding dinosaurs having feathers was not yet proven and drew much skepticism from other scientists.}}</ref> Simonson left the ''Fantastic Four'' with issue #354 (July 1991). In 1992, he wrote and illustrated the one-shot ''[[Superman]] Special'' #1 for DC. His other Marvel credits in the decade included co-plotting/writing the ''[[Iron Man 2020]]'' one-shot (June 1994) and writing the [[Heroes Reborn (1996 comic)|Heroes Reborn]] version of [[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]].<ref name="GCD" />

In 1994 Simonson continued the adventures of the ''Star Slammers'' in a limited series as one of the founders of [[Malibu Comics]]' short-lived [[Malibu Comics#Bravura line|Bravura]] label.<ref name=Slush/>

===2000s===
[[File:10.13.12RaurenuWaltSimonsonByLuigiNovi1.jpg|thumb|Simonson with a Thor [[cosplay]]er at the 2012 [[New York Comic Con]]]]
In the 2000s, Simonson mostly worked for DC Comics. From 2000 to 2002 he wrote and illustrated ''[[Orion (comic book)|Orion]]''.<ref>Cowsill, Alan "2000s" in Dolan, p. 296 "Comic book legend Walt Simonson brought his unique vision to one of Jack Kirby's greatest heroes on ''Orion'', the first ongoing series to feature the most prominent of the New Gods."</ref> After that series ended, he wrote six issues of ''[[Wonder Woman (comic book)|Wonder Woman]]'' (vol. 2) drawn by [[Jerry Ordway]].<ref name="GCD" /> In 2002, he contributed an interview to ''Panel Discussions,'' a nonfiction book about the developing movement in [[sequential art]] and narrative literature, along with [[Durwin Talon]], [[Will Eisner]], [[Mike Mignola]] and [[Mark Schultz (comics)|Mark Schultz]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Talon |first=Durwin S. |author-link=Durwin Talon |date=2007 |title=Panel Discussions: Design in Sequential Art Storytelling |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yVZ83qOSfrwC&pg=PA14 |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |page=14 |isbn=978-1-893905-14-6}}</ref>

From 2003 to 2006, he drew the four issue prestige mini-series ''[[Elric: The Making of a Sorcerer]]'', written by [[Elric]]'s creator, [[Michael Moorcock]]. This series was collected as a 192-page graphic novel in 2007 by DC. He continued to work for DC in 2006 writing ''[[Hawkgirl]]'', with pencillers [[Howard Chaykin]], [[Joe Bennett (artist)|Joe Bennett]], and [[Renato Arlem]].<ref name="GCD" />

His other work includes cover artwork for a ''[[Bat Lash]]'' mini-series and the ongoing series ''[[Vigilante (comics)#Dorian Chase|Vigilante]]'',<ref name="GCD" /> as well as writing a [[Wildstorm]] comic book series based on the online role-playing game ''[[World of Warcraft (comics)|World of Warcraft]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=134207|title= Walter Simonson: Into The World Of Warcraft|first= Matt|last= Brady|date= October 25, 2007|publisher= Newsarama|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071027035440/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=134207|archive-date= October 27, 2007|url-status= dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The ''Warcraft'' series ran 25 issues and was from #15 on co-written with his wife, [[Louise Simonson]]. He wrote the [[Etrigan the Demon|Demon]] and [[Catwoman]] serial in ''[[Wednesday Comics]]'' in 2009.<ref>Manning "2000s" in Dougall, p. 305</ref>

===2010s===
In 2011, Simonson had a cameo role in the live-action ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]'' film, appearing as one of the guests at a large Asgardian banquet.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/05/06/stan-joe-walt-and-the-thunder-god/|title= Stan, Joe, Walt And The Thunder God|first= Rich|last= Johnston|author-link= Rich Johnston|date= May 6, 2011|publisher= Bleeding Cool|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160305011408/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/05/06/stan-joe-walt-and-the-thunder-god/|archive-date= March 5, 2016|url-status= live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The sequel, ''[[Thor: The Dark World]]'', featured Simonson's character [[Malekith the Accursed]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/malekith-and-kurse-the-villains-of-thor-the-dark-world/ |title=Malekith and Kurse, The Villains of Thor: The Dark World |last=Buxton |first=Marc |date=November 6, 2013 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |access-date=November 6, 2013}}</ref>

Simonson serves on the Disbursement Committee of the comic-book industry charity [[The Hero Initiative]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.heroinitiative.org/spage.asp?p=73&ti=Board+Members|title= Hero Initiative Board Members Disburstment Committee|year= 2013|publisher= [[The Hero Initiative]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130621081809/http://www.heroinitiative.org/spage.asp?p=73&ti=Board+Members|archive-date= June 21, 2013|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}}</ref>

Other work in the 2010s includes drawing six issues of ''The Avengers'' vol. 4 in 2012 and providing the artwork for three issues of ''The Indestructible Hulk'' which guest starred Thor. Simonson collaborated with his wife for a short story in ''Rocketeer Adventures'' vol. 2 #4 and drew covers for several ''[[The Rocketeer (character)|Rocketeer]]'' comics during this period.<ref name="GCD" />

In 2012 DC Comics published ''The Judas Coin'',<ref name="GCD"/> a graphic novel written and drawn by Simonson. The book shows how one silver coin paid to Judas to betray Jesus affects various characters down the centuries including [[Batman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/walt-simonson-spans-dc-history-in-the-judas-coin/ |title=Walt Simonson Spans DC History In "The Judas Coin" |last=Campbell |first=Josie |date=June 7, 2012 |website=[[CBR.com]]|access-date=June 7, 2012}}</ref>

In July 2014 [[IDW Publishing]] published the first issue of Simonson's creator-owned series ''Ragnarök'', which depicts a version of Thor unrelated to the Marvel version of the deity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/five-reasons-to-read-simonson-martin-and-workmans-ragnarok/ |title=Five Reasons To Read Simonson, Martin, And Workman's ''Ragnarok'' |first=Chris |last=Sims |date=February 18, 2015 |publisher=[[Townsquare Media|ComicsAlliance]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317161408/http://comicsalliance.com/five-reasons-to-read-simonson-martin-and-workmans-ragnarok/ |archive-date=March 17, 2015 |url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> It ran for twelve issues until 2017 and was followed by the six-issue mini-series ''Ragnarök: The Breaking of Helheim'' in 2019, also written and drawn by Simonson.

===2020s===
In 2021, Walt Simonson revisited his run as an artist on ''X-Factor'' by providing covers and artwork for a two-issue X-Factor story in ''X-Men Legends'', written by his wife Louise Simonson who had also scripted his issues for the original series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Tim |date=2021-01-06 |title=X-Men Legends Recruits Louise and Walter Simonson for a New X-Factor Story |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-legends-louise-walter-simonson-x-factor/ |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2022, Simonson and his wife Louise were reported among the more than three dozen comics creators who contributed to [[Operation USA]]'s benefit anthology book, ''Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds'', a project spearheaded by [[IDW Publishing]] Special Projects Editor [[Scott Dunbier]], whose profits would be donated to relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees resulting from the February [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/zoop-launches-benefit-anthology-comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/|author=Kaplan, Rebecca O.|title=ZOOP launches benefit anthology COMICS FOR UKRAINE: SUNFLOWER SEEDS|publisher=The Beat|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 18, 2022|access-date=April 26, 2022|archivedate=April 18, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418170150/https://www.comicsbeat.com/zoop-launches-benefit-anthology-comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2022/04/18/comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/|publisher=AIPT|title='Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds' to benefit Ukrainian refugees|author=Brooke, David|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 18, 2022|accessdate=April 26, 2022|archivedate=April 26, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426153140/https://aiptcomics.com/2022/04/18/comics-for-ukraine-sunflower-seeds/}}</ref> Simonson's contribution was a story featuring the [[Star Slammers]], his first time returning to that property since the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/comic-book-anthology-sunflower-seed-ukraine-relief-effort-1235131833/|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|author=Kit, Borys|title=Comic Book Creators Team for Ukraine Relief Effort Anthology 'Sunflower Seed'|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 20, 2022|access-date=April 30, 2022|archivedate=April 20, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420202544/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/comic-book-anthology-sunflower-seed-ukraine-relief-effort-1235131833}}</ref>