Tour of Duty Column - Preview

[BillyTucci]

HELLION FOR HIRE – TOUR OF DUTY #11
Some Will Say “It’s Just A Comic Book”
By Billy Tucci

Some will say, “It’s just a comic book.”

“Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!  You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months…
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force wrote those words that were then printed out given to every participant in the Invasion of Normandy on the June the 6th, 1944.

Since childhood, General Eisenhower’s words have inspired me, but never have the resonated for strongly as they do today, on the eve of my dream project becoming a reality as “Sgt. Rock – The Lost Battalion – Day 1” hits the stands on Wednesday, November 5th 2008.

My own personal D Day.

You see, after college I joined the Army National Guard.  It was during my basic, infantry and airborne training that my wife, (then girlfriend) would send me a weekly batch of comics – which I would share with my buddies, but most didn’t care much for the superhero stuff – what they literally fought over were the surprise editions of “Sgt. Rock” (which had ceased to be published years before) she would include in the packages.  I would freak out as some yokel would discard my latest X-Men to the barracks floor, but the Sgt. Rock’s were always handled with the utmost respect and care. I relived and regaled the hours of enjoyment I had gotten out of those old comics I had collected during childhood and it was here, during my stay in the nasty swamps of Ft. Benning, GA where I had promised myself that someday I too would write and draw Sgt. Rock.   A few years later, the mild success of Shi took me in a totally different direction but my dream always remained the same.

Now I am on the verge of this dream coming true.

I’ve spent many months researching, writing and drawing “Sgt. Rock – The Lost Battalion” and have met many wonderful friends who have guided and inspired me along the way.  I have traveled to Holland and France to follow the steps of Easy Company, where I walked the beaches of Normandy, and climbed the mountains of the Vosges Forest.  I have seen the foxholes of Hill 679 and touched the white crosses at St. Laurent and Epinal. I have been honored to represent the United States of America during a memorial service in the French town Bruyeres and left my dog tags in a tree in Ste.-Mere-Eglise.  Most important of all, I have met French partisans and the families and veterans of the 141st and 442nd infantry regiments who have generously given me their time and incomparable recounts of those dark days and friendship.  

Some may say, “It’s just a comic book”, and I’m being totally and pretentiously overblown in my sentiments.  My only answer to such a statement is that, again this is indeed my dream project -- one that has reinvigorated my love of comics and afforded me such feelings of joy, anxiety and anticipation I haven’t felt since the debut of “Shi #1” fourteen years ago.  Above that it has also been a life changing experience that I’ll never forget.  I have learned so much about a horribly dark time in history and of those who rescued humanity from evil.

[BillyTucci]

Mr. Kubert told me upon looking at the pages of the first three issues, that “this is a real labor of love for you.”  I want to ensure him and everyone at DC Comics that I am giving my all to honor Joe and Mr. Kanigher’s amazing character. I would also like to offer my sincerest thanks to editor Michael Marts, his assistant, Janelle Siegel, Mark Sparacio and colorist Brian Miller for all their hard work and devotion to the project.  Of course, I cannot express my deepest appreciation to Dan Didio and Paul Levitz for having the faith in offering such an icon as “Sgt. Rock” to a mere “bad girl artist.”

General Eisenhower also wrote that on June 5th 1944 that in event that the D Day landings had  failed, "if there is any blame or fault in the attempt, it is my own…"

I understand Ike’s concerns as any failures or technical missteps of this series will be soley my own. But it is obviously too late for me to worry any longer as the book is at the printer and will be in stores on Wednesday.   But lord, I cannot help but I wonder if this series will be a success or not. After all, this is my first crack at the mainstream as a writer and artist, and who am I to think I even deserve Sgt. Rock?

My only solace is to recall what it is to be a paratrooper, to know you are always outnumbered, always surrounded and not want it any other way – case in point…

Just before daylight on June the 6th, 1944, elements of the 3rd Battalion, 505th PIR (82nd Airborne Division) raised the stars and stripes over the government hall of Ste.-Mere-Eglise.  In the midst of one hundred thousand German troops and the sea born landings yet to commence, LTC. Edward’s Krause’s paratroopers had just liberated the first town in France. As the soldiers were setting up whatever defenses they could against the coming German panzers, Lt. James Coyle recalled a frightened Frenchman coming out of his house to anxiously ask “if this was a raid or an invasion”.  The 24-year-old reassured him with no hesitation in his best high-school French and replied:

“Nous Restons Ici” – We stay here.”

At that moment, the people of Ste.-Mere-Eglise new the Americans would never leave them and would fight to the end.  Hopefully, if I have done my job right and “The Lost Battalion” is a success, the same will be said of future issues of Sgt. Rock…
And I hope we can all go along together, just like Easy Company.

Go For Broke
Billy Tucci
Ambassadeur, De La Region De Bruyeres, Vosges, France

[BillyTucci]

[BillyTucci]

[BillyTucci]

[kikuchiyo]

Billy, this series shows so much promise for you. I hope it is a tremendous success and that you, Deb and your boys are able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

[Delvie]

I know I haven't read the script yet, so this is surely premature, but... has there been any mention of a future Sgt Rock movie?

[BlackCatGuy]

Billy,
Fear not my friend!

This book will be a TOTAL SUCCESS!!


So says ROCK!!

[BillyTucci]

Hello All,
The new article is up now -- please comment and give a thumbs up recommendation on it if you find it interesting.

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/110803-TourDuty-11.html


Thanks!
Billy

[BlackCatGuy]

Hey Billy,

I have to comment on your latest Tour Of Duty column here, because I STILL can't access my account over at Newsarama!

Great column! I'm absolutely overjoyed that DC finally (FINALLY!!!!!!!) decided to help promote this book! This is indeed a lobor of love for you! I was thrilled to finally see the house ads in the books, and to hear that DC produced prints for signing and handing out! I think DC realizes now what they have, and it's all due to you my friend! Your absolute resolve, your unflinching loyalty to the subject matter, and your artistic style will propel this series into the upper regions of the stratosphere! You do those brave members of the 442nd, the 141st, and the 405th a GREAT HONOR! They will again become heroes, this time to a whole new generation! This series will prompt a great many reader to pick up a history book, or watch a documentary, and learn more about WWII. With fewer WWII veterans alive as each year passes, this important series comes at a great time! Let's all honor these brave soldiers and buy this book!

I wish I could be there in Florida! Domo and I will be at the National, but only on the Sunday, due to work! I can't get out of it and I'm pissed!

Enjoy the launch buddy! Bask in the glow that YOU HAVE SO EARNED!! And thank you for letting me be a part of this history making series!

See you in New York! Give me a call!


Rock out!

[BillyTucci]

Hey Billy,

I have to comment on your latest Tour Of Duty column here, because I STILL can't access my account over at Newsarama!

Great column! I'm absolutely overjoyed that DC finally (FINALLY!!!!!!!) decided to help promote this book! This is indeed a lobor of love for you! I was thrilled to finally see the house ads in the books, and to hear that DC produced prints for signing and handing out! I think DC realizes now what they have, and it's all due to you my friend! Your absolute resolve, your unflinching loyalty to the subject matter, and your artistic style will propel this series into the upper regions of the stratosphere! You do those brave members of the 442nd, the 141st, and the 405th a GREAT HONOR! They will again become heroes, this time to a whole new generation! This series will prompt a great many reader to pick up a history book, or watch a documentary, and learn more about WWII. With fewer WWII veterans alive as each year passes, this important series comes at a great time! Let's all honor these brave soldiers and buy this book!

I wish I could be there in Florida! Domo and I will be at the National, but only on the Sunday, due to work! I can't get out of it and I'm pissed!

Enjoy the launch buddy! Bask in the glow that YOU HAVE SO EARNED!! And thank you for letting me be a part of this history making series!

See you in New York! Give me a call!


Rock out!

Sure thing and I'll pay you the $20.00 I promised for writing such a nice response!  :)

I'll call you this week or early next.

[dawnsawaking]

Ya Thug Billy, paying people off to write a nice response. 

Hey Billy,

I have to comment on your latest Tour Of Duty column here, because I STILL can't access my account over at Newsarama!

Great column! I'm absolutely overjoyed that DC finally (FINALLY!!!!!!!) decided to help promote this book! This is indeed a lobor of love for you! I was thrilled to finally see the house ads in the books, and to hear that DC produced prints for signing and handing out! I think DC realizes now what they have, and it's all due to you my friend! Your absolute resolve, your unflinching loyalty to the subject matter, and your artistic style will propel this series into the upper regions of the stratosphere! You do those brave members of the 442nd, the 141st, and the 405th a GREAT HONOR! They will again become heroes, this time to a whole new generation! This series will prompt a great many reader to pick up a history book, or watch a documentary, and learn more about WWII. With fewer WWII veterans alive as each year passes, this important series comes at a great time! Let's all honor these brave soldiers and buy this book!

I wish I could be there in Florida! Domo and I will be at the National, but only on the Sunday, due to work! I can't get out of it and I'm pissed!

Enjoy the launch buddy! Bask in the glow that YOU HAVE SO EARNED!! And thank you for letting me be a part of this history making series!

See you in New York! Give me a call!


Rock out!

Sure thing and I'll pay you the $20.00 I promised for writing such a nice response!  :)

I'll call you this week or early next.

[angeldoggie]

Billy, YOUR BATTALLION IS WITH YOU.............LEAD ON !!!!!!!!!!!  Heads up man, success is surley an elusive mistress, but you got 'er cornered, and she is yours !!!      CHEERS !!!!!                   Domo

[Bushido Macs]

Billy, YOUR BATTALLION IS WITH YOU.............LEAD ON !!!!!!!!!!!  Heads up man, success is surley an elusive mistress, but you got 'er cornered, and she is yours !!!      CHEERS !!!!!                   Domo

I completely agree!! Rock is gonna take the comics industry by storm! Julie Mac and I are chompin' at the bit to read it tomorrow! That and we get to hang out with you in Orlando on the day it's released! How cool is that!! See you tomorrow Billy... Hey, if you get the chance, call me on my cell when you get into Orlando.

Billy Mac

[jsniderfamily]

Read the article and loved it!
I am 100% behind you on this one.
Your friend and fan.

[boomvavavoom]

Dude

I have sooo much respect for your new comic, your endeavours with/in it and the work you did before getting it even through the DC-folks!!

I would LOVE to hear more stories about your pitch and how DC took it all in and their reactions to all of these rticles and such!!