Soldier from Iowa pens comic about realities faced by veterans

ABC-TV's KCRG did a report about a mid-20s military official from Des Moines, Iowa, who's producing a comic about the experiences of veterans:

Basi Affia has been a fan of comic books since he was a kid. Now, the 26-year-old soldier is using his creative gifts — and unique experience — to share the perspectives of veterans though his own comics, KCCI reported.

“Me being a nerd is how it came to be,” said Affia, founder and owner of Sensi’il Studios, Iowa’s first Black-owned comic book company. [...]

Affia serves in the Iowa National Guard. In his latest comic book, “Regicide: Havoc,” the main character is a veteran.

Affia said he wants veterans to be able to see themselves in his book. The storyline centers around veterans’ view of their time while serving, something Affia said can affect their lives after their time in active duty.

“It just talks about a lot of veteran issues, like veteran homelessness, talks about the different experiences that soldiers have in the military,” Affia said. “I think it should be more truthful, more realistic. You know, it’s not always positive. It’s not always negative. There’s a happy space right in the middle. And that’s where the truth is at,” Affia said.

Obviously and fortunately, there are positive moments to serving in the military. And this comic will hopefully provide a good perspective much needed in an era where there's too little heroism emphasized.