"Heroes"

I've noticed that most people who I think of as heroes are embarassed by that title. I think its a matter of degree. They can think of people who they consider real heroes and don't feel worthy of the title. But from the viewpoint of someone who sits by himself creating light entertainment the world seems full of brave and heroic souls.

What's really weird is that some of them are my readers. I draw 'heroes' in books but its a lot easier drawing heroics than actually doing it. Writing and drawing inspiring stories is no mean thing, but its not the same thing as living it.

Anyhow, I wanted to single out a few folks who are everyday heroes.

First off I'd like to mention Mark Schweikert. He's a cop in the annoyingly sunny streets of Phoenix, AZ. Some day I'll write about how I learned I wasn't cut out for crime fighting. It's a tough job and its easy to make mistakes that leave folks scarred for life. You need steady nerves and excellent judgment to survive as a cop. And a good sense of humor. So thanks to Mark and all the other cops like him out there. This post and Top 10 are dedicated to you.

I think I do have an okay sense of humor. But my nerves and judgment are pretty well suited for working alone...

And a "hey!" to Joe Miller. I first met Joe at Ohio comic cons. I was just out of art school and he was in middle school. He's gone on to get married and serve our nation in the Navy. He's a good guy.

I got a second email today from Jeff G, who I first met in sixth grade. He's been in the Navy too. We used to play RPGs way back when. Some D&D, superhero stuff, and a military RPG called "Twilight 2000". So I was surprised to find out that actually became the kind of guy we pretended to be. He's been in Special Operations and has served for the last 18 years. Those who can, do. Those who can't, draw. So another shout out to Jeff, his beautiful wife and their 21 month old daughter!

Finally, another nod to Tobias G. He's a foot and ankle surgeon at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I suspect I embarassed him with my email back thanking him for his work, and this post might make it worse. But his job is positively biblical: he helps the lame to walk. When Christ asked us to take up our crosses this is part of what he was talking about.

In addition to that, he got me to add notes to my website on how to subscribe to my email newsletter. While I was at it I updated my FAQ. So you have Tobias to thank for that too! My dad's an anaesthesiologist, so I'm used to taking orders from doctors.

Again, thanks to everyone who has dedicated their lives to making concrete improvements to peoples' lives.Now that I've annoyed and embarassed these folks I promise my next post will be about something more crass, like comics or politics.