To celebrate thirty years of Usagi Yojimbo, and to raise donations for the series’ creator Stan Sakai, Dark Horse have today announced The Stan Sakai Project. An oversized hardcover, the project will feature a number of different creators as they pay tribute to the character and series. All proceeds from the book will go to Sakai himself.

A whole heap of people are taking part in this project, who’ll all be drawing the characters and stories from the series in their own style. Among those featured are Tim Sale, Mike Mignola, Art Adams, Matt Groening, Dave Gibbons, Allison Sohn, Alex Maleev, Walter Simonson, Richard Corben – an incredible range of creators will be involved.

Marking the thirty year anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo, the project also comes at a time when the entire comics industry are wishing Sakai the very best. This is a benefit comic, and all the proceeds from it will go directly to Sakai and his family during a difficult time. The Stan Sakai Project hardcover will be published on July 23rd.

Here’s a full press release:

The most amazing artists in the world have come together to celebrate thirty years of Stan Sakai’s marvelous samurai rabbit saga, Usagi Yojimbo, in a new oversized hardcover benefit book: The Sakai Project: Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of “Usagi Yojimbo”! “It has been an absolute pleasure publishing Stan’s work over the years, and recently collaborating with him directly on 47 Ronin,” said Dark Horse’s president and founder, Mike Richardson. “With the thirtieth anniversary of his most beloved creation, Usagi, and in a time of need for Stan and his family, we are honored to publish this tribute to Stan and his work. We are donating all of the proceeds to Stan and his wife, Sharon. We hope you will join us in honoring one of the comics industry’s shining lights.” The participating artists bring their own interpretations and their own styles to the subject, making this book a one-of-a-kind treasure. The Sakai Project is produced in association with the Comic Art Professional Society (CAPS). All proceeds from this book will go to Stan and Sharon Sakai. ADAM HUGHES | ALAIN MAURICET | ALEX MALEEV | ALLISON SOHN | ANDY GRENEN | ARTHUR ADAMS | BATTON LASH | BILL MORRISON | BRIAN CHING & MICHAEL ATIYEH | BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS | CARLOS D’ANDA & GABE ELTAEB | CHRIS SCALF | DAN PANOSIAN | DAVE GIBBONS | DAVID MACK | DOUG WHEATLEY | EDGAR DELGADO | ERIC POWELL | GABRIEL HARDMAN | GEOF DARROW | HOWARD CHAYKIN | JAN DUURSEMA | JEFF SMITH | JOYCE CHIN | MARK CRILLEY | MATT GROENING | MATT WAGNER | MICHAEL ALLRED | MICHAEL AVON OEMING | MICHAEL GOLDEN | MIKE KUNKEL | MIKE MIGNOLA | OSCAR MARTIN | PAUL GULACY | PAUL RENAUD | PHIL YEH | RICHARD CORBEN | SCOTT SHAW | SERGIO ARAGONÉS | STEPHANIE GLADDEN | TIM SALE | TOM MANDRAKE | TOM RICHMOND | WALTER SIMONSON | WILLIAM STOUT | & MORE! Industry professionals, Dark Horse encourages your participation! The deadline for art submissions is February 20, 2014. For technical specifications and other information, e-mail Dark Horse at sakaiproject@darkhorse.com. The Sakai Project will be released on July 23.