FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT: SHAWNEA' JACKSON, LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST, SLOAN CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL

(469) 742-8320 or shawnea_jackson@lovejoyisd.net

Photos or cartoon art can be Googled or are available upon request.

Teenage comic book writer  will appear in Fairview Monday to discuss his career with Lovejoy ISD teens and tweens.

Jake Tinsley, 15, hopes his NIGHT OWL character might  might one day be proclaimed the "Official FICTIONAL Superhero of Texas."

Teenage comic book scribe Jake Tinsley, whose recent accomplishments include an official, much-appreciated "attaboy!" from Texas Gov. Rick Perry,  a graphic novel honoring Amber Hagerman and a zombie comic book  adventure starring rock star Lita ford, will discuss his brief but action-packed three-year writing career at length Monday with the audience of his dreams.

And who would that be?  Hundreds of Lovejoy ISD students -- teens and tweens -- his own age. Jake is looking forward to sharing with them the creation of his flagship character -- the 12-year-old shaman superhero NIGHT OWL, whose appearance and mannerisms he largely based on himself circa age 12. This will serve as the official launch of a series of ongoing public presentations the young creator will make to his peers about comic books, values, and, you know -- doing the right thing.  Jake, invited by Hickory Creek councilman Chris Gordon, recently appeared at that city's fall festival to announce his educational campaign.

"Finally I get to take the gloves off and talk about comic books with people who really understand," the Keller, Texas high school freshman said with a grin. "I want to talk to them about my upcoming campaign to have NIGHT OWL named the 'Official FICTIONAL Superhero Of Texas.' I understand that the Wyoming legislature once considered naming the Jackalope their 'Official Fictional Animal,' so, you see, I have precedent!"

The young author is definitely on speaking terms with one public official who could help make that happen -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who formally proclaimed Jake a "Shining Star of Texas" on Sept. 22 in recognition of his body of work, most notably AMBER HAGERMAN DESERVES JUSTICE: A NIGHT OWL STORY. The AMBER comic recounts the tragic, unsolved, murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman of Arlington, explains the importance of the Amber Alert System to an all-ages audience, and announces a new cold case investigation into the murder led by crime fighter Sheryl McCollum of Atlanta and her team of criminologists in the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. Jake's presentation will include an open -- tongue-in-cheek -- letter to Gov. Perry thanking him for his support and presenting his argument for getting his  NIGHT OWL character officially proclaimed the definitive fictional Texan superhero.

During the past three years, Jake has partnered with veteran Manga artist Jason Dube to create and publish eight full-length comic books and over 20 comic strips starring his flagship character "Night Owl" internationally through the ROK comics distribution service. His comics have been translated into Chinese for distribution in China.

Jake, who turned 15 on Nov. 2, has been a published comics writer since age 12. He formed Wham Bang Comics with his father three years ago to publish his comic books and comic strips. Jake's critical success recently prompted longtime family friend Sherman Powers to come aboard as an executive producer to help organize Wham Bang Comics media projects -- including plans for an educational but wildly-entertaining NIGHT OWL cartoon show to pitch to family-friendly networks such as PBS. 

"We're really interested in helping Jake develop his own franchise that he can one day run himself as an adult," Powers said. "In the meantime, he can help kids his own age and make a big difference in the world."

The AMBER comic was Jake's seventh published comic book and led to an interview on The Today Show. This in turn landed Wham Bang Comics a work-for-hire contract for Jake to write and create a comic book. The Gillettes: Family Business, for rock star Lita Ford, her husband Jim Gillette and their children Rocco and James. (Samples of Lita Ford comic art available to view at www.myspace.com/whambangcomics.) ; He's currently planning his next ZACK FINLEY: NIGHT OWL comic book, tentatively titled "Zack Of Two Worlds," which tackles the issue of world hunger, the homeless and growing up with divorced parents  -- all from a teenager's perspective.  

Jake  will speak to students at 11 a.m. Monday during a 30 minute presentation at Sloan Creek Middle School, 440 Country Club Road in Fairview. This will be followed by extensive interviews with Lovejoy ISD student journalists starting at 12:40 p.m..

The young creator -- who comes from a family of journalists and is having the time of his life with his writing career -- is looking forward to being interviewed by student reporters.

"Google me," Jake advises the students. "We'll do lunch!"