While working in the safety products industry a request came into the marketing department asking if there might be a way to creatively communicate some of our customers ‘save stories’ for the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference (a.k.a. FDIC International). In a nutshell, a save story are true tales about how first responders would use our products in emergency situations to save others, or in some cases, themselves from harm or fatality.

Transforming these stories into a comic book format was second nature to me so with the aid of our writers I art directed & illustrated the limited collector’s edition of ‘The Vault of Valor’ to be distributed to the attendees & their families. Also included was a centerfold to color, games, & fun facts to teach kids about fire safety.

Reception to the comic was overwhelmingly positive with panels featured in large format at our display booth. I created the images using traditional illustration & photographic manipulation to represent the true life heroes that used our products in the harrowing situations that they experienced on the job. Eventually, a second printing was produced & distributed to fire departments across the country to share with kids of all ages during tours of their stations.