Story and Graphic Illustration by Stacey Avian Robinson

op-secret government operations; high profile cases and super-enhanced; cybernetic bounty hunters may seem like an episode of the “X-files” or your favorite science-fiction adventure story, but it's not.

This time the story comes from the premier comic book publication from the mind of Sgt. Jan-Michael Franklin, 42nd Military Police Detachment, who is publishing a new comic book series.

The story is called “Deadly Artisans” and revolves around the husband and wife team of Malcolm and Sierra Irons, top-secret government operatives, code-named “Tangent” and “Stiletta.”

Hired to track down the world's most elusive criminals, their physiology is advanced with the latest high-tech cybernetic implants and modifications, making them the ultimate fighting force against high profile evil.

The “Deadly Artisans” premier issue deals with various social and world issues such as extremism, interracial marriage and government cover ups.
“In my opinion “Deadly Artisans” is a fast-paced read with realistic dialogue and refreshingly simple graphic storytelling,” said Franklin, a long time comic book fan and recent entrepreneur.

The book is published through Epsalon Press, a newly formed publishing company, also the brainchild of Franklin who from a very early age desired to see his characters in print.

“It’s a great story that leaves you wanting more,” said Bernie Mangiboyat, long time friend of Franklin and Dragon’s Lair Comic book store owner.

Franklin started this extreme publishing task last October with the writing portion of the book. The artwork was started in late December.

“The story has been around in my mind in some degree since I was 14-years-old,” said Franklin.. He combined some of his military experience with other elements and put them together to make the story of “Deadly Artisans” what it is now.

The project was not a quick or easy process. “I had to fit in time to work on the comic, normally a book that would have taken me about a month-and-a-half took almost a year,” Franklin said.

Franklin said that he started Epsalon Press because he saw other aspiring creators “trying to break into the comic book industry and trying to get the mainstream companies to accept their stuff for years.”

“I did some research, and found that publishing was something in my grasp and was something I could do on my own,” he said. “So I set it as a goal for myself and accomplished it. It also allows me to tell my stories in my own fashion without editorial input."

The difference between “Deadly Artisans” and other comic books available to the public are the finer details of soldiering provided by personal experiences. Even though “Deadly Artisans” and some other comic publications may share similarities, a unique twist on the story and various topical coverage separates it from the rest, Franklin said.

“This is definitely not a book for children since it is rather violent.
“The book is for sale locally now and I am working on a national distribution in the November-December time frame,” said Franklin.

“The steps I took to publish the book were first, decide what story I wanted to work on because I had several different ideas. Next was the writing, because you have to have the story together before you lay the pictures down on the page. After that I set a goal for myself of when I wanted to have the story completed,” said Franklin.

Once he was finished he had to figure out what company was going to print the book because it was something he couldn’t do at home. After that the distribution had to be determined.

There are a few more details but these basically were the major keys to his publishing process.

“I wouldn't say it was a difficult task but I would say it took some time. The most difficult aspect was deciding to actually do it; it took my own dedication to actually get it started. Once I found out the details on getting it done, it was a lot easier than I imagined,” he said.
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Franklin's advice to aspiring creators is: “Self publish, so that you can tell your own story, in your own way. Do it yourself and do your thing. I can’t imagine doing anything for another company and feeling this good, this is all mine.

“I can’t say that I'm the best in any area of comics but I do possess a certain degree of skill in all of them. That made it a lot easier for me, because I could write, draw and ink my own book,” he said.

“My inspiration comes from other creators such as Frank Miller and Paul Pope. I’ve read a lot of interviews from creators who worked for major companies but wished they had done their own thing”, said Franklin.

Franklin said his training came from various sources including the Columbus College of Art and Design and gathering information from other sources such as on-line tutorials and other comics and more.

Besides his life as a soldier and Epsalon Press, Franklin is married.

He and his wife are very busy, but Franklin said that marriage keeps him grounded. “If I were single I probably would be out doing other things. My wife is extremely supportive.”
His wife, Sgt. Elaine Franklin, 42nd Military Police Detachment, said “I’m happy that he’s finally doing what he wants to do. I love the book. I read it several times, even though I'm not into comic books.

The advice I have for wives who have creative husbands is don't fight it because it's something they will do with or without your support and it's much easier to support them.

However both partners need to realize that they need to spend time together, somehow fit that time in.”

The book can be previewed and purchased on-line at www.epsalonpress.com