 Maintenance, the scourge of many a soldier. During the war years, a rifle jamming or a missing spark plug could have meant life or death. One man's brilliant idea not only taught soldiers that reading is fundamental, it could also be fun. The name Will Eisner is synonymous with genius and legend in the comic book world. Widely known as the father of the graphic novel, Eisner is best known for creating the comic strip hero The Spirit in 1940. Eisner was drafted in World War II and while working as an artist for the post-news paper at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the idea of using instructive illustrations that soldiers could easily understand took shape. Eisner created army motors, which featured characters like Private Joe Dope, Connie Rod, and a half-mass mechanic providing soldiers with a fun, new way of learning. His superiors loved it. After he was discharged, Eisner's comic skills were dispatched once again. When Will Eisner was done with The Spirit, he had a brilliant idea. He said, why don't I use the characters I created and I bring those together into a publication about preventive maintenance. And I said, do a monthly publication. P.S. Monthly debuted in 1951 and proved successful in helping soldiers keep their equipment mission ready. I look forward to that P.S. Monthly magazine coming out and seeing what the comic strips was and what was something else I could learn on. Sixty years later, Eisner's contribution is still helping operators, maintenance, and supply personnel keep equipment at a high level of readiness. Will Eisner, Artist, Visionary, Patriot.