SUPER HERO: `PROJECT: TRACKER' NEW COMIC PUBLISHED HERE

Like many youngsters, Mike Jackson was a super-hero comic-book fan during elementary and high school. But unlike most, he studied the artwork.

"The artwork still draws me to a comic," said Jackson, now a sophomore at Southeast Missouri State University. "I especially like the artwork of Jack Kirby and Bart Sears."

Other artists who have attracted Jackson's attention include Todd McFarlane, Dale Keown, Rob Liefeld, Jim Lee, Mark Silvestri and Eric Larson.

"These artists have made my life a little more interesting by creating unknown worlds and great characters that are interesting and enjoyable to read about," said Jackson.

Among Jackson's favorite comic titles are "Fantastic Four," "Captain America," "Superman" and "Spiderman."

Now, Jackson hopes to make other comic readers' lives more enjoyable: Jackson and Chuck Gower have teamed up to create Tracker.

Tracker appears in a new comic book, "Project: Tracker," published by a new company, Fantastic Comics.

"I've always liked drawing," said Jackson, of Chaffee. "I've played around with various characters, and eventually came up with Tracker."

Joining Jackson in the comic-book venture is Gower and Jackson's father, Robert Jackson of Chaffee.

Gower is also a super-hero comics fan, but concentrates on the story line of the comic.

"I've played around with some storylines," said Gower, who attended Southeast Missouri State University and is now working at Fun Flick. "I've had this one story in mind for a long while. When I met Mike, we started putting it together."

What emerged was Fantastic Comic, headquartered at 120 E. Clarman Drive in Chaffee, and "Project: Tracker."

"My father was involved in the project," said Mike Jackson. "He is our letterer."

"It took a long while to put everything together," said Jackson. "But Chuck and I worked well together, and on Feb. 18 we put "Project: Tracker," Vol. 0, to print. TJ Enterprises Inc. of Cape Girardeau printed the first comic for Fantastic.

Tracker, as described by Jackson and Gower, "is a man with a mission."

In his first mission, Tracker's job is to get into the most top-secret and heavily-guarded enemy military base.

Getting into the base is no problem. Completing his mission and getting out is another story, the story of "Project: Tracker."

Like all super heroes, Tracker has a civilian name, Skip Jones.

"Project: Tracker" comics are now available at B&L Coins & Comics, 185 Plaza Way; Comix Strip, 1029 Broadway; The Record Store, 516 Broadway; and Santa Fe Military Hobbies, 401 N. Clark.

The first issue consists of 20 pages a 15-page story, covers and advertising. The goal for the second issue is for a 20-page story. The publication features a colorful front cover, with black and white artwork inside.

"Many new comics are using this format," said Jackson.

"We at Fantastic Comic are excited about our new venture," said Gower. "We'll be looking for independent artists and writers. We will be adding other stories to the comic as we go along."