"Untold Stories from Iraq & Afghanistan" A Graphic Novel

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Marvel Comics Dr. Strange & Kill Raven artist P.Craig Russell Offered to do Pin-up for Untold Stories from Iraq & Afghanistan Charity Graphic Novel

Untold Stories from Iraq & Afghanistan Charity Graphic Novel UPDATE!

Hello everyone this is a rather large update about the Graphic Novel , Where to begin? Well lets see I was approached by Matt Flora CCO of Opcode Studios and here is what he had to say:
Subject: Untold Stories From IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN

Opcode Studios would like to help get this out on iTunes for sale to help raise money! We have our own comic application that will be built into the comic when people purchase. I have a friend leaving on January 1st. I would love to help get the Graphic Novel out on a Global Market. We can have it selling on iTunes and Android market. I will personally get it out free of charge, and we will be just doing distribution. All money raised will be donated. We will help with marketing and posting on all of our pages, also contact Apple about the project to see if thy can help get the word out!!! I'm excited! The rights of the Graphic Novel will still be yours. I hope to hear from you soon. Give me a call anytime.

Matt Flora
CCO
Opcode Studios

Also I was approached by C. Edward Sellner

Mr. Murwin,

I'm C. Edward Sellner of Visionary Comics Studio. We are a talent rep agency that works with a wide diversity of

comic talent, including writers, pencilers, inkers, colorists etc.

I'm sure a number of our folks would be more than happy to donate our time and energy to such a noble effort as your

Untold Stories Project, I know I would be interested in pitching in wherever needed.

You can learn more about us at www.visionarycomics.com, and if you can pass on information of some specific

things you need in various arenas I will put the call out to our studio staff to respond and we can see what we can line

up for you.  Let me know how I can help individually, and how our studio folks can pitch in. 

C. Edward Sellner
Creative Director
Visionary Comics Studio

And last but not least I was at the VA. Comic Convention this Saturday and I was able to get a huge number of Main

Stream comic industry talent interested in possibly being part of the project They are as follows Tentatively as follows

Larry Hama (G.I. Joe), Alex Saviuk (Spiderman), (Confirmed) Bill Tucci (Sgt. Rock), Chuck Dixon (Birds of Prey),

Jim Calafiore (Exiles), Robert Atkins (G.I. Joe), Rick Ketchum (Runaways), James Kuhoric (Army of Darkness), J.C.

Vaughn (24), Reilly Brown (Cable), Randy Green (Witchbalde), Louis Small, Jr. (Vampirella), Kevin Sharpe (G.I. Joe)

, Budd Root (Cavewoman),

and also Renee Whiterstatter has agreed to help me with advice and guidance with the project here is a little about her:

Writer, editor, color artist, and publisher, Renee Witterstaetter began her career working for DC, Marvel, and Topps.

After a storytelling immersion in comics, film work was a natural progression for her, and she worked on dozens of

commercials and music videos for the likes of Madonna, Seal, and Usher, as well as the feature films Rush Hour

Two, and Red Dragon, among others. She is the author of numerous books, including “Dying for Action: The Life and

Films of Jackie Chan,” “The Fantastic Art ,” and “The Art of the Barbarian, Vols. 1 and 2, the top-selling “Excess: The

Art of Michael Golden” and the just released, “Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira,” as well as her upcoming mystery novel.

She has just recently returned from presenting a new paper at the renowned Animation Forum in China, as well as

presentations in Aviles and Gijon, Spain.

So it looks like things are finally picking up to get this done and to support our troops! Well until next time

Hero Maker out!

 Thursday September 17, 2009

I have New Contact info:

New mailing Address is

Clayton D. Murwin

257 Walnut Drive

Timberville,VA 22853

Phone: 540-896-8536 (leave me a message or call after 5:30

 

Sunday, May 24, 2009

New New's For the Untold Stories from Iraq & Afghanistan Heroes Fallen Fundraiser

 May 2, 2009

I have decide to do another website to replace this one which will be located here: http://heroesfallen.blogspot.com/This site will remain active over the rest of the year but more and more will be moved to the new site on Blogger.com Please let me know what you all think of the New Site!

Clayton Murwin AKA The Hero Maker

April 26, 2009

One of  the soldiers I have been speaking to is presently stationed in Afghanistan. His name is SPC

Robert Soto .He and his unit were attacked earlier this month at the Korangal River in ALIABAD,

Afghanistan .His fellow comrade PrivateFirst Class  Richard A.Dewater was KIA . PFC Richard A.

Dewater, 21, of Topeka, Kan., died April 15, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device, while on a dismounted patrol near Korengal Valley, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 26^th Infantry Regiment, 3^rd Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

You can read more about the incident here from a New York Times article and also watch a slide show narrated by two of his friends Spc Robert Soto being one of them. here is the link to the video http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/19/world/20090420-aliabad-ambush/index.htmlThis will be one of our storiesfor the Graphic Novel as I have obtained permission from Spc Soto to use the story .

April 7, 2009 

IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATE REGARDING HEROES FALLEN FUNDRAISER!!!!!!!  Due to some unforseen circumsatances regarding parking Issues at the Heritage Park Location that was chosen, it looks like the event will now have to be held at Broadway High School. I will be speaking to the Admin for the school this week to get authorization to use the school grounds and facilities. I will keep you all Updated on further news.  

April 7, 2009 

Ok people here is some news for ya to bite into. First one of our own soldiers Troy Steward is not only being showcased in our Graphic Novel as one of our stories, but he has also been published in a new book, I.E.D., War in Afghanistan and Iraq You can check out the Blog about it  here:http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/04/bouhammercom-blogs-in-a-new-book/ 

And you can check out a sampling of the book here: http://www.powerhousebooks.com/book/1013 

April 4, 2009

Well Folks just a little update to let you all know that I was approached by "ABC's Good Morning America" reporter Scott McCormick They are interested in doing an interview with me to talk about the Graphic Novel Untold Stories from Iraq & Afghanistan. He will be talking to his bosses this week and I should find out the details in a week or so. So I will keep you all informed! Wish us luck ! And remember its for our TROOPS!

The Hero Maker AKA Clayton Murwin 

March 29, 2009

This is an update on a new Film " Brothers At War"  is an intimate portrait of an American family during a turbulent time.  Jake Rademacher sets out to understand the experience, sacrifice, and motivation of his two brothers serving in Iraq. The film follows Jake’s exploits as he risks everything—including his life—to tell his brothers’ story.  Often humorous, but sometimes downright lethal, BROTHERS AT WAR is a remarkable journey where Jake embeds with four combat units in Iraq. Unprecedented access to U.S. and Iraqi combat units take him behind the camouflage curtain with secret reconnaissance troops on the Syrian border, into sniper "Hide Sites" in the Sunni Triangle, through raging machine gun battles with the Iraqi Army.  Ultimately, the film follows his brothers home where separations and life-threatening work ripple through their parents, siblings, wives and children.  BROTHERS AT WAR provides a rare look at the bonds and service of our soldiers on the frontlines and the profound effects their service has on the loved ones they leave behind.

March 20, 2009

Well I have added a few things to the website . We now have Forum & Chat so all you members  can now sign up and chat while on the website. I have also added a Donation Page  since I have received several request to do so.  A Little more news regarding the Fundraiser on June 13, 2009  I was informed today that Company Commander Staff Sgt. Mace with the Harrisonburg Army recruiting station  will be doing a swearing in of New recruits to the Army. Also The mother (Anita Lewis) of Spc Cody C. Grater the Fallen Hero  from the war in 2007 That we are doing a Tribute for in the Graphic Novel, will be coming to the fundraiser to accept a Memorial Plaque from us in memory of his Bravery and Service to his country! Well that is about it for now. Until next time!

The Hero Maker

March 14, 2009

After many negative responses and comments from soldiers and others I have decided to change one of the charities that was to receive donations from the selling of the Graphic Novel to help the soldiers. The new charity that will receive funds now will be http://www.fisherhouse.org/
So the charities are :
1) USO
2) Wounded Warrior Project
3) Fisher House

I must do what is in the best interest of the Graphic Novel being done to support the soldiers . So therefore I had to make this decision. I can not allow any negativity to be associated with the book. This action I feel is in the best interest of the book so as to help our Brave men and women.

Subject: Pin-ups /and artwork for stories

If your a artist working on a pin-up or a story for the Graphic Novel to help the soldiers I need for you all to send me the original art work for your submission, so as to be able to do the scans myself . Some of the work sent has not been formatted correctly. So to stop this issue here are the submission guidelines

1) I prefer to have all original art mailed to me at

Clayton D. Murwin
209 Atlantic Avenue Broadway VA.22815

2) I will return all artwork to artist that request it be sent back to them, But I really need the original art to work from for my scans.

3) If you for whatever reason do not want to send me the original art must send me a digital file  Standard comic book format size 11X17 saved at 300 dpi in a tiff or bitmap file saved on a CD then mailed to me at the above address. If possible I don't want files over the internet I have had a few be corrupted and I received on with a virus. I know this may seem odd to request but I want to maintain the quality of the scans for the book.

4) All art  will be in Black & White  or Gray scale  no color
5) The only color for the book is the cover which has been decided.If you have any questions please contact me at 540-896-8536 after 5:00 pm

Thank you all

Clayton Murwin

March 8, 2009 

The Graphic Novel is going to be published under Post Mortem Studios logo,owned by John Parker and  partner with me in this project.Well the cover for the Graphic Novel has been decided. From The wonderful artistic mind of Nathan Thomas Milliner. Nathan has captured the sheer essence of the Graphic Novel in this piece of art! Nathan is the creator of his own graphic novel trilogy "The Malevolent" If you have never heard of or seen this book then you have missed out on one of the best small press book to ever be put into print. If you would like to see more of Nathan's amazing work you can visit his site here :

http://www.myspace.com/malevolentnate

http://www.comicspace.com/malevolentnate/

March 1, 2009

This flier below may be copied and used to pass around 

to get the word out about the fundraiser.

February 26th 2009

Hello Everyone I will be announcing some big news in the next week or so regarding the Graphic Novel progress. But right now I wanted to Bring you all up to date on some things I am working on. On June 13 2009, I will be heading up  a Fundraiser for the printing cost of the book which is $6,294 for a 5000 print run. This will be in Broadway VA at Broadway Heritage Park off of Turner Avenue,or at the VFW on route #259 if it rains out. This is going to be a one day event. There will be a cover charge to attend the event, which is where we will make our money for the book. But it will be well worth it as we will be having comic book artist, bands, refreshments, Military  servicemen as Guest of honor that  we will be honoring for their service. Also there will be a few Hollywood actors attending as well. Keep your eyes on this page as I will be announcing guest names  in the coming weeks upon confirmation.

Also my good friend John Parker of Post Mortem Comic Studios will also be holding a Fund raiser for the printing cost of the book in his state of N.C. on August 7th and 8th I will give location details as I receive them. The stories for the novel have started coming in now and I have started sending out the stories to various people so far , as more come in the rest of you that have agreed  to work on the book will be getting something shortly  from me.Well that's the most recent News I have for everyone so just remember and if you close to or in the area please come to the fundraiser and show your support for what we are trying to do. Thanks for reading speak to you soon!

The Hero Maker

February 22nd 2009

There are now Artist and Story/Photo Release forms on the site for any artist  submitting work or soldier submitting a story for publication in the Graphic Novel. You may copy and paste the form into your word document program ,print sign them mail to me either by email or by snail mail. 

Thank You 

Clayton Murwin AKA The Hero Maker

February 21st 2009

  Well here is the latest on the Newspaper interview it is on the Daily News Record site  here is the link

http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=35716&CHID=1 So check it out guys!

The Hero Maker

February 16th 2009

 Well I had the interview  regarding Untold Stories from Iraq & Afghanistan Graphic Novel this morning which lasted for an 1 and 30 minutes. It went really well I thought reporter Tom Mitchell interviewed me for the Daily News Record Newspaper. I felt that they really like what I am undertaking to help the soldiers from the war who have fallen and or been injured. The photographer is suppose to come by my house Thursday evening to do a photo shoot of me in my studio. He is also going to interview two soldiers  Victor Castro and Michael Sutherland. And also comic publisher and artist John Parker from Post Mortem comics studio about their involvement in the project. I have three stories submitted by soldiers now and I am awaiting four more as we speak. I will be doing a fund rasier  to help pay for the cost of printing the GN this summer most likely in June I am putting together the plans as I type this. So that is about it for now, I will update you further as things develope further. In the mean time take some time out of your day and say a prayer for a soldier or thank one for their service. Speak to you all next time !

The Hero Maker

February 13th 2009 

Hey guys and gals just to let you all know , I have an interview with Tom Mitchell on Monday Morning at 10:00 am to talk about The Untold Stories From Iraq Graphic Novel I am publishing. So once I have the interview done and they give me a print date I will let you all know! Wish me luck guys. Also in other News The Picture to your left is the most recent Pin-up I have received for the Graphic Novel . This piece is from John Parker the artist and writer of Southern Horror Writers Association & Post Mortem Comic Studios. He did a fantastic Job!

February 8th 2009

Just to let you all know the site has a new member Yankeemom and she has most graciously added  a link to this site on her site. So if you have some time check out her site here :

Yankee Mom 

Thanks 

The Hero Maker

February 5, 2009

Well I had my interview with Sgt. Troy Steward & Sgt. CJ Grisham tonight on their online call-in

radio show " You Served " all in all I think it went very well. Here is the link it is episode # 24

http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/  It is toward the middle end of the program and will

remain the featured video until 02/12/09 so check it out and leave me some feedback!until

next time .

January 31, 2009

I have just posted Sgt. Brian Duclos story  in the" Lets Talk about it" forum so check it out.

January 24, 2009

I have some great news! I have made contact with a couple of military blogger's who served in the Iraq & Afghanistan war. Their names are First Sgt. Troy Steward & CJ Grisham. Each have their own blog site and they do an online talk radio program called  " You Served "  which can be located  in my Other intresting links page here on the site towards the bottom of the page. I will be interviewed by Troy & CJ on February 5 , 2009 at 7:15 pm EST. Here is the link just in case you dont want to go to the links page.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/youserved  So please if you have nothing better to do check out the show and maybe even call in.

January 18,2009

 Emergency Update

 I have to say I am getting a little worried about the future of this Graphic Novel to help the soldiers. I have put out request for stories from soldiers who would like to share their stories from their time in Iraq. I have been approached by many and have been told they would supply stories to me . But that seems to not be the case. I have received one story from one soldier so far. If I can not get the stories from soldiers then the book will not be produced. I have contacted many organizations and also the branches of the military and many of them have said that what I am doing is a great idea and would like to help me get stories for the book. But they have not been forthcoming as well.If I do not soon start getting stories from the soldiers I will have to rework the whole project to come up with a different avenue to pursue. So I ask you the people who think what we are trying to do is a good idea to help the soldiers please get the word out to people to soldiers to anyone you think can help. If not I am afraid I will not be able to bring this Graphic Novel to light in the present form I am now trying to do. I am not giving up I just don,t know what else to do. I would like to take this moment and time to say to all the wonderful artist,writers,inkers,letterers,editors and ordinary people who have offered to help with the publication of this book by offering your time services and talent , THANK YOU. Please hang in their with me for a little bit longer at least till the end  of February. So come on people help me get this thing done! Spread the word to everyone you know . Post the website here on your pages and websites. Please I dont want to fail at this chance to help our brave men and women who have given so much for us here at home. 

December 6th 2008

 I regret to inform everyone that it looks like I am going to have to push the publication date back from June 09 to November 09 for the simple fact that the soldiers who have said they were going to be sending me stories for the book have not done so as of yet. I have received one story so far. I must say I am a little disappointed that I have to do this but I can not do the book if I don't have the stories from the soldiers. I am not giving up on it I am just having to find a different avenue to obtain the stories I need for the GN. For all of you who have offered to help out with this project to help the soldiers I hope you will remain on board to do so. But if you feel you can not then I completely understand. I apologize to everyone who is as excited about working on this book to help the soldiers as I am. But I just can not push the soldiers to send me their stories. I have to be respectful to them and allow them to do so in their time , not my time frame. So that is where we stand at the moment. If you are a penciler,inker,colorist,letterer,writer that has signed on with this project then please let me know if you are willing to stick it out with me until we get the stories we need to make this book happen for the soldiers. If you cant remain committed to the project then please just shoot me a private email and let me know. As for all of you who have agreed to do pin-ups for the soldier GN. you can still start on those and submit them to me at your leisure. I hope everyone understands.Now for the good news! Thanks to Mindy Newell, (Ex-Editor/writer at DC comics)  We will be doing a tribute story about her Father who proudly served in WWII , He has agreed to be interviewed and his stories told and written by Mindy. This will be done in the fashion as "The Ones who came before "  I feel it an honor that her father is allowing us to put his story in the Soldier GN. So if you know Mindy just drop her a line and say thanks. Anyway that is all I have for now my friends.
Clayton AKA The Hero Maker

December 2nd 2008 Soldier Graphic Novel Updates

 I was on the phone today with Donald a soldier who served in Iraq, and he has several stories he say's he would like to share with me. So I will keep you all updated on the progress. Also I have contacted the IAVA in regards to them helping out with getting stories from soldiers, I am awaiting a response. Also We will be doing a tribute to a WWII Vet , in the first volume of the GN So I will give you more info as it becomes available. I have found a printer willing to print the book at cost so that should help out a lot as far as price for printing.

 November 7th 2009 SOLDIER GRAPHIC NOVEL UPDATE!

Hey Everyone check out this site http://www.wpdh.com/ on Saturday 8th of November from 11:00 am till 12:00 catch

Victor Castro as a guest DJ as he talks about our Untold Stories from Iraq Graphic Novel project

and other stuff."

This is to all the people helping me on the Soldier Graphic Novel , Please be patient I know everyone is as

excited about doing this for the soldiers as I am, but this is a unique situation The stories we are using are

coming from the actual soldiers themselves who are in or have been to Iraq, So I can not rush these guy's So

please everyone be patient I will designate stories out to people as I receive them. Many of these are coming

from soldiers stationed in Iraq so it takes time for them to put them together much less getting them through the

mail to me.This book is going to be made that you can be sure of! And I hope all of you you are donating your

time services and talents remain committed to continue with what you have offered to do. But if some of you

choose to move on I understand I only ask that you all be patient and give me the chance to get this thing rolling

on a steady clip. We must maintain a certain amount of respect and dignity in this matter due to its nature. So

again Thank you one and all for helping me in this amazing endeavor to help our Brave men and women.

Clayton Murwin AKA The Hero Maker