High Resolution version available here.
What is “Unsung Superheroes”?
Simply put: it’s a series of historical graphic novels.
Throughout history, there have been a great number of people, just regular people, who have overcome near-unsurpassable odds, shown insurmountable bravery, or mind-boggling skill to do something seemingly superhuman.
Not all of these people are well-known for their acts; for example, for every Oskar Schindler, there’s a Lois Gunden (look her up!).
I’m creating a series of graphic novels to highlight these lesser-known true human stories of bravery, compassion, and humanity, and the lives of the people behind them, each one telling the story of a different Unsung Superhero.
I’m researching each story in depth, and each will be based on the known facts of the events and the people involved (though taking some dramatic license where needed).
Whose Story is Being Worked On Now?
The story I’m working on at the moment is that of Robert Smalls. He was born a slave in America in the 19th Century. During the American Civil War, he orchestrated a daring and completely non-violent escape before embarking on a most remarkable life of promoting the value of black lives, and the benefits of education, including serving five terms as a U.S. Congressman!
After months of reading, researching, and writing, the Covid lockdown allowed me to finish that stage and I’m now drawing the actual graphic novel.
Where Can You Read Them?
I will release each story online at first, each page being posted as it’s completed. Each finished page will be uploaded to my Patreon first, for my Patrons to view. Later, I’ll upload them at the top of this very page for general consumption so bookmark this page. After that, I hope to get them published as physical copies and to try to get them into places like school libraries so children and young adults may learn about these lesser-known historical figures in a fun and unforced way.
You can read more about the development and creation of this project as it happens on my blog which is regularly updated, and on the Unsung Superheroes Facebook page.
This is a collection of historical graphic novels, featuring true tales of real, ordinary people, like you and I, who did remarkable things, and who maybe aren’t as well known as they could be.
This is the “Unsung Superheroes” graphic novel series.
This is “US”.
For more information about the project, or if you want to help support the creation of these graphic novels, please consider becoming a Patron.
For less than the price of a cup of coffee per month, you can become a Patron of the Arts and help keep this project going. You will get early access to all pages and behind-the-scenes and work-in-progress materials that I create, including some Patron-Only exclusives.
Also available is the opportunity for you to appear as a character in the novel or receive a hand-drawn sketch mailed to you. With no minimum sign-up period, you can stop at any time.
I’m donating 10% of all pledges to Anti-Slavery International to help them in their efforts to stop modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
Or if recurring payments aren’t for you, you can “Buy Me A Coffee” and make a one-time donation of as little as £1 without having to create an account. Again, 10% of your donation will go to Anti-Slavery International.
See my Supporters page to see people who have helped this project so far.