Code of the Wild is a series of educational graphic novels about the clashes between predators in nature. The series was created by comic book writer and editor Sean J. Jordan, and the first book in the series, North American Wolverine Vs. Timber Wolf, is illustrated and painted by comic book industry veteran Jason Maranto.

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Each book in the series highlights two distinctive predators, teaching the reader a little bit about each animal before launching into an epic tale where the two predators are guaranteed to fight! But in resolving the question of “Who Will Win?”, each book will also help readers to understand predators’ hunting styles, their methods for finding prey, and who their natural friends — and enemies! — are out in the wild.

Currently, four books are planned for the first wave of the series:

• Code of the Wild: North American Wolverine Vs. Timber Wolf (Q1 2009)
  
• Code of the Wild: Indian Mongoose Vs. King Cobra (Q3 2009)
  
• Code of the Wild: Emperor Scorpion Vs. Horned Tarantula (Q4 2009)
• Code of the Wild: Bat Falcon Vs. Vampire Bat (Q4 2009)

Each book will be published by Army Ant Publishing, and available at this website and at bookstores and comic book stores everywhere. To be notified when the book is available for order, please sign up for the official Code of the Wild Newsletter!.

For questions or media inquiries about this series, please write to info@codeofthewild.com.

About the Creators

Sean J. Jordan is a professional writer, editor, and marketing consultant from Belleville, Illinois, which is about 20 miles east of St. Louis, MO. Sean got his start in the comic book industry with Dabel Brothers Publishing, where he worked from 2002-2008 helping to develop and promote several of comic books based upon the works of New York Times bestselling authors such as Jim Butcher, Orson Scott Card, Raymond E. Feist, Laurell K. Hamilton, Robert Jordan, Dean Koontz, George R. R. Martin, Robert Silverberg and Tad Williams.

In the summer of 2007, Sean found himself frustrated with the comic book industry’s lack of books for children, and he began researching the field to determine how he could develop a new series to bring the comic book medium back to kids. In the course of his research, Sean determined that many children were losing interest in reading books overall, but that they loved the combination of words and pictures that graphic storytelling could deliver. Sean was also quite surprised to discover that children were far less interested in stories about superheroes that they were in stories about animals, and nature.

So, in 2008, Sean struck out to form a new publishing company, Army Ant Publishing, and to develop a new series of books that would offer children something new and exciting… a series of books about the battles between predators in nature. A series called Code of the Wild.

“This is something unique, unlike anything the comic book world has ever seen before,” says Sean. “Our goal is to challenge the ideas about what a comic book can be, and to give readers something that’s enriching and entertaining at the same time.”

Jason Maranto is a veteran of the comic book industry who has worked as an inker, colorist, letterer and art director for several companies. But Jason is also an accomplished painter and fine artist who has a real passion for wildlife… and who was thrilled when he was asked to become the illustrator for the first book in the Code of the Wild series, North American Wolverine Vs. Timber Wolf.

“This is so far removed from what you normally see in comic books that I was surprised to see that anyone was trying to produce a graphic novel about animals in nature,” says Jason. “But once I read the script, I knew that this was exactly the sort of project that I wanted to work on, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of bringing this story to life.”

One of the most rewarding parts of the story, says Jason, is in learning about each of the animals.

“When I started illustrating this story, I knew a little bit about wolves, but nothing about wolverines. I have to admit that the wolves are a little bit more sympathetic, since they’re social animals that we humans can relate to fairly well, and they’re fun to paint. But man, those wolverines are ferrocious little critters, and it’s really incredible to think that animals that are basically just fur, claws and teeth can fight off a bear or a pack of wolves. Painting the wolverine in this story was a real challenge, since he’s very dark against the light colors of the landscape, and I hope that everyone who reads this book walks away with a newfound appreciation about how tough wolverines have to be to survive in the wild.”

About the Publisher

Army Ant Publishing, LLC was founded by comic book industry professionals Sean J. Jordan and Stacie M. Ritchie in May, 2008. The company’s mission is to entertain, educate and enrich readers through graphic storytelling, and the company’s focus is on developing books that children, parents, teachers and librarians alike will adore.

Army Ant Publishing is based in Belleville, IL. The company’s first book, Code of the Wild: North American Wolverine Vs. Timber Wolf, will debut in the spring of 2009, featuring an action-packed story by Sean J. Jordan and stunning, hand-painted artwork by Jason Maranto.

For more information about Army Ant Publishing, including investment opportunities, please email info@codeofthewild.com or visit http://www.armyantpublishing.com.