Comics for Causes: Untold Stories from Ground Zero and Beyond

September 11, 2001 tested American mettle like nothing since the bombing of Pearl Harbor or even since the Civil War. Everyone with a television could see the gravity, the scope of need so suddenly thrust upon those directly affected, and the rush from all over the nation or even the world to help made me dare hope our society would emerge from the ashes permanently transformed, and for the better.

The comic book industry responded by churning out no less than six books to support a variety of charities, all but one of them anthologies that represented the cumulative efforts of hundreds of creators. Dark Horse, Image, and Chaos! brought us 9-11: Artists Respond, Volume 1. DC published the second volume, with proceeds from both to go to the World Trade Center Relief Fund, the Twin Towers Fund, the September 11 Fund, and Survivors Fund. Marvel gave us Heroes and A Moment of Silence to benefit the Twin Towers Fund. Alternative Comics put forth 9-11: Emergency Relief and Joe Linsner did I Love New York Benefit Book to support the American Red Cross.

Just after the tenth anniversary of 9-11, it seems that most Americans haven't suffered from 9-11 beyond holdups at airports. If they even talk about the ongoing war that's resulted, it's to complain about how long it's taking and how much money it's costing. A lot of charities established in memory of 9-11 victims or to support those still suffering as a result of 9-11 have even closed their doors, including most of the ones the aforementioned books have supported.

Yet the need continues. Men and women who've worked rescue and recovery missions at Ground Zero are coming down with cancer at alarming rates. Fire departments all over have to step up training on reporting or responding to terrorist incidents and how to avoid being attacked themselves. Most of our nation's fire departments, like that of Shanksville, Pennsylvania are staffed by volunteers and get by with help from their communities, from donations, and sometimes even from charging their members dues. Even bigger fire departments that can afford paid personel cannot afford to meet all the needs their personel and the communities they serve may have. Too many firefighters still have to make do with old equipment and radios that too often prove ineffective. And as recently happened, when first responders are injured or sickened in the line of duty and ask for help with their medical bills, even if they take the matter all the way up to the federal government, they're too often out of luck.


Still, those who can run often keep at it and keep putting their lives on the line for us. Some of them still fall in the line of duty. Mercifully, many organizations remain to help out our firefighters, EMT's, police officers, and their families in their times of need. The comic book industry has not forgotten them either.

Heroes Fallen Studios, which brought us Untold Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan to support veterans and their families, is also directing their attention to our heroes on the home front. Work has already started on Untold Stories from Ground Zero and Beyond to benefit the law enforcement, fire, and emergency services of New York City, Washington DC, and Shanksville. The stories come from all over and, rather than just rehash the attacks, focus also on how people have chosen to remember, how lives were changed, and how people have coped over the years. Those confirmed to be working on this book include some familiar folks from all over the industry who worked on Untold Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan such as Peter Palmiotti, Richard O'Hara, Tom Orzechowski and Valerie Finnigan. Other notable volunteers include Paty Cockrum, who, besides having worked in the Marvel bullpen of old, also served as a volunteer firefighter in upstate New York. I will help provide updates as the work progresses. Until then, here's a reminder- just because ten years have gone by doesn't mean people aren't affected, aren't still hurting, and don't still need help. We still need to do all we can, especially to honor those who'd given all for us.

Comics for Causes: Untold Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan

Philip Craig Russell went so far above and beyond for this book and the upcoming second volume that, when asked to do one page of artwork, he did six.

Jerry Bingham described working on the book as an honor and a labor of love.

Valerie Finnigan described working with members of the armed forces as a privilege and the responsibility of faithfully adapting their stories as a "sacred trust."

Michael Sutherland, an airman who started drawing cartoons while serving in Iraq, described working on the book as a way to help fulfill his dream and the promise he made to those with whom he served to get his cartoons published for all to enjoy. He contributed one of the book's biggest laugh-out-loud moments with a cartoon involving low-flying aircraft.

MSgt. C.J.Grisham, a soldier who'd served two tours in Iraq and may be by the time I post this on his way to Afghanistan, described this book as "the single greatest tribute idea" he'd heard of. He went on to contribute a couple of stories, one of which became one of my favorites in this first volume.

Gold Star families have described this book as "amazing" and "touching." Veterans have described the book with terms like "rocked" and "the best graphic novel I have read," and have offered support, stories for future volumes, and  help with spreading the word.

Reviewers from librarians to comic book retailers to culture critics have weighed in with positive feedback and recommendations. And is it purely coincidence that this story on comic book therapy for veterans broke shortly after Untold Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan was released?

All this naturally begs the following question: can so many people be wrong about a book and/or the idea behind it? Of course they can, but this time it's clearly not the case.

As stated before, all proceeds from the sales of Untold Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan go to the USO, Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher House, and Soldiers' Angels. Then the fact that around sixty creators volunteered, gave their best efforts, and worked together without clashes of politics or egos demonstrated the generosity, patience, and teamwork that distinguishes comic book professionals from people who happen to draw or write comics. Tom Orzechowski, it should be noted, lettered no less than thirty-six pages for these causes. That's already inspiring, and I haven't even mentioned the stories themselves yet.

"Ambush in Korengal Valley" features a reunion of Jerry Bingham and Tom Orzechowski. They had worked together well on Black Panther and I think did just as well here adapting Spc. Robert Soto's heartbreaking tribute to Spc. Rick DeWater, who had fallen in Afghanistan.

"The Spider," by Louis J. and Rick Parker provided the first chuckle in the book. Well, the first after the drawing by Victor Castro and Mark McKenna portraying Heroes Fallen founder Clayton Murwin as some hard-driving sergeant.

"Debriefing," by Sfc. Robert Masterman and Adam Masterman was a little difficult for me to read. On the surface, the story of an IED attack that goes very badly seems so coolly narrated, but the first two panels upon rereading say it all for me. He's in a setting where he has to keep his cool, and judging by the subtle facial expression as well as the general context, it's not exactly easy.

"How to Lose Your Soul" is one of the aforementioned accounts from C.J. Grisham, adapted by Tomm Gabbard, Joshua LaBello, and Johnny Lowe. I found the unflinching examination of conscience such as any good man must make when he fears he's done wrong crushing yet inspiring in its brutal honesty.

"Airburst," by Elliott Blake, Richard O'Hara, Tomm Gabbard, and Kell Nuttall, is a short but jam-packed  account by Air Force Sgt. Brian Duclos that illustrates how quickly and rudely the banality of everyday life can be interrupted, how quickly one has to shift gears in order to cope, and how, though they joke and laugh afterward, it's not quite as easy as they make it look.

"When Words Fail," based on accounts by aforementioned airman Michael Sutherland and scripted by Valerie Finnigan with art by Paul Shirey, inks by Jason Sylvester, and a little bit of lettering by Kell Nuttal, was, despite the absence of narration or dialogue, the most difficult read in the book. My first reaction to it was the impression that I was seeing a whole lot of stuff and unable to make sense of it. Even though it was simple inferring the mission, the plot and conflict, from the second of only two captions (both of which were on the first panel), the rest was very confusing, perhaps intentionally so. It certainly felt scarier seeing but not fully understanding what was going on.

On the other hand, "Yea, Though We Drive Through a Tier One Hot Spot," also scripted by Valerie Finnigan with pencils by Brian Shearer, inks by Peter Palmiotti, and Tom Orzechowski providing even more lettering, is a clear account of an Army convoy facing threats such as a road trip through wartime Balad Province, Iraq would offer. It also comes with some civilian-friendly explanations of army jargon, pointed observations, and a healthy dose of sardonic wit courtesy of SSgt. Kyle Hausmann-Stokes.

Last, but certainly not least of the short stories is another one of my favorites. "A Shared Sky" by Mike and Will Perkins sums up to me precisely why defending, cherishing, and sharing freedom is so important, not just for the US but for every country. With all that comes the freedom to aspire, excel, to dream big, fulfill noble hopes.

And at the very end was another reminder of the sacrifices some have made, a tribute to the late Spc. Cody Grater.

Overall, all that left me trying to swallow the lump in my throat while anticipating the upcoming second volume. It will likely leave you feeling the same.

And of course, here's the link to order this book.

Update! Volume two of Untold Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan is shaping up to be even more ambitious than the first volume. At 150 pages in color, getting this volume to print will be more difficult, but Heroes Fallen Studios has offered an opportunity for more than just veterans and comic book creators to get involved.

We can all help out and... Kickstart this comic!