ANCHOR: Today, the San Diego-based IDW Publishing releases "Code Word: Geronimo," a moment-by-moment graphic narrative about the clandestine raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound. KPBS Reporter Beth Accomando speaks with the book's editor Tom Waltz. IDW 1 (ba) (1:12) Tom Waltz is a former Marine who fought in Desert Storm. So when someone suggested doing a story about the Navy SEALS involved in the mission to capture Osama bin Laden, he thought it would be a perfect graphic narrative for IDW to produce. As IDW's senior staff writer and editor, he then had to decide the best time for the book to hit stores. IDW 1A (:18) TOM WALTZ: When is the time you need to get this out to folks and we all agreed that by September 11th. Or the week of September 11th, this being the tenth anniversary of 9/11. We wanted to have something that when it's on people's minds to look at this and then we'll have that opportunity to show this heroic story to the biggest audience. So "Code Word Geronimo" was fast-tracked and delivered in an amazing 4 weeks. The account was written by retired Marine Corp Captain Dale Dye and his wife Dr. Julia Dye. Everyone involved made an effort to keep the story neutral and apolitical. IDW 1B (:13) TOM WALTZ: But what we really endeavor to do was to take it from the grunt on the ground's perspective and show that they had a mission this is how they prepared for the mission, this is how they conducted the mission, how it was successful, and how they were able to return home. Waltz says part of the proceeds will go to charity, and he knows the book will most certainly be followed by many more media accounts of the mission. Beth Accomando, KPBS News.
Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow is planning a film for release next October about the special forces and intelligence commandos hunting for Osama bin Laden. But today, the San Diego-based IDW Publishing releases "Code Word: Geronimo," a moment-by-moment graphic narrative about the clandestine raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound.
Tom Waltz is a former Marine who fought in Desert Storm. So when someone suggested doing a story about the Navy SEALS involved in the mission to capture Osama bin Laden, he thought it would be a perfect graphic narrative for IDW to produce. As IDW's senior staff writer and editor, he then had to decide the best time for the book to hit stores.
TOM WALTZ: When is the time you need to get this out to folks and we all agreed that by September 11th. Or the week of September 11th, this being the tenth anniversary of 9/11. We wanted to have something that when it's on people's minds to look at this and then we'll have that opportunity to show this heroic story to the biggest audience.
So "Code Word Geronimo" was fast-tracked and delivered in an amazing 4 weeks. The account was written by retired Marine Corp Captain Dale Dye and his wife Dr. Julia Dye. Everyone involved made an effort to keep the story neutral and apolitical.
TOM WALTZ: But what we really endeavor to do was to take it from the grunt on the ground's perspective and show that they had a mission this is how they prepared for the mission, this is how they conducted the mission, how it was successful, and how they were able to return home. Captain Dye, through his many contacts within the military -- both through his military career and now his career as the military advisor to Hollywood -- has some inside information or insight that I think makes the story as reliable and accurate as it can be without actually knowing the true facts or being there. So Like I said we really tried to stick to the military aspect of the story avoiding any of the political discussion that go along with it because once you do that branches off in so many different directions I think you lose sight of the fact that this was a successful military raid.
In addition to the detailed chronology of events, the book also contains afterward material by John M. Del Vecchio. There's even an essay addressing the use of the name "Geronimo," in the hopes of answering concerns from Native Americans about the book's title.
Waltz says part of the proceeds from "Code Word: Geronimo" will go to charity, and he knows the book will most certainly be followed by many more media accounts of the mission. The book also reveals the continued and growing diversity of subjects covered in contemporary American comics.
