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"Introduction": DC's editor-in-chief Paul Levitz provides an introduction to explain the purpose of the graphic novel as a creative outlet for artists in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. He gives thanks to their publishing partners Quebecor World

Quote1 This isn't about pacifism. I'm angrier than you are. I'm not used to being helpless. If I knew how to get to the people who caused all this pain, I'd climb on my trash can lid, fly over and take the bastards out myself. But what if to get Luthor I had to kill some of his family? Or some of the people who live nearby? Or not so near? There's a line there. I'm just not sure where to draw it. With power, comes responsibility. We can't use the evil committed by others as an excuse to commit evil ourselves. Quote2
Virgil Hawkins

9-11 #2 is a one-shot published in 2002.

Synopsis for "Introduction"

DC's editor-in-chief Paul Levitz provides an introduction to explain the purpose of the graphic novel as a creative outlet for artists in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. He gives thanks to their publishing partners Quebecor World Montreal, UPM-Kymmene, Kruger Inc., Sun Chemical Inc.c, Diamong Comic Distributors, AOL Time Warner Trade Publishing Group. He gives thanks to the publishers of Volume One, including Chaos! Comics, Dark Horse Comics and Image Comics. He also announces that all the proceeds of this book will go to 9-11 charitable funds with a list of causes printed in the back.

Appearing in "Introduction"

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Synopsis for "Section I: Nightmares"

To introduce the first section, "Nightmares," artist Glenn Fabry paints a half-burned WTC badge with a man's picture on it. The signature lists his name but is difficult to read.

Appearing in "Section I: Nightmares"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed (signature indistinguishable)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

This illustration by Kieron Dwyer depicts the World Trade Center buildings with images of people lost in the attacks covering the sides.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed 9-11 victims

Locations:

Synopsis for "Unreal"

Superman saves a NASA space shuttle and reflects on all the incredible things he is capable of doing. The next page reveals that this is a comic book a child is reading as the child is carried out of the WTC by a firefighter. Superman laments through narration that the one thing he cannot do in times of crisis is become real. He wishes he could right the wrongs of an unjust world, but says fortunately the world is protected by heroes of its own.

Appearing in "Unreal"

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Synopsis for "The Real Thing"

In a corporate board room a group of entertainment executives discuss possible disaster targets for their next big movie. The WTC buildings are attacked behind them, leaving the group shocked and humbled by genuine tragedy.

Appearing in "The Real Thing"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed Megafilm movie executives

Locations:

Synopsis for "Wake Up"

Jimmy, a young child, has difficulty sleeping. His mom comes in to comfort him and he says he is worried about bad guys coming into their apartment to hurt them. The mother tells Jimmy the importance of standing up to bad guys, and that they never win as long as they can't defeat your heart and your spirit. She tells her son that she loves him and then leaves for her shift as an N.Y.P.D. officer. This is shown to be a memory, and Jimmy's father walks in on him holding a picture of his apparently deceased mother. Jimmy hugs his father and asks if they can start doing stuff again as he thinks his mom would like that.

This story is dedicated to N.Y.P.D. Officer Moira Smith, Port Authority P.D. Captain Kathy Mazza, their families, and all of the Children standing tall to honor lost Mothers and Fathers.

Appearing in "Wake Up"

Featured Characters:

  • Jimmy

Supporting Characters:

  • Jimmy's father (unnamed)
  • Jimmy's mother (unnamed) (NYPD officer) (Dies)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

This illustration depicts a graffiti artist next to a wall with the NYC skyline painted on it. The artist is painting a giant sun above the skyline.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed graffiti artist

Locations:

Synopsis for "The Walk"

An older man working in the WTC building is caught in the rush of people trying to escape as it burns down. He encounters a large man named Big Mike who insists he cannot get down because of his leg injury, and helps Mike get down the stairs despite his fear of being slowed down. They escape together and the man is struck by the people from all different walks of life working together in the chaos as Americans.

Appearing in "The Walk"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed WTC worker

Supporting Characters:

Other Characters:

  • Gina (Mentioned only)
  • Lupe (Mentioned only)
  • Timothy McVeigh (Mentioned only)

Locations:

Synopsis for Static Shock: "Wednesday Afternoon"

Virgil Hawkins and Frieda Goren have lunch together in a place called Akkad's Arcade while watching 9-11 coverage on TV. Frieda says that America needs to retaliate hard and bomb the people responsible, but Virgil is worried that this would likely cause harm to more innocent people. The window is broken by a mob of local neighborhood kids who believe the Middle Eastern owner of the arcade, Mr. Akkad, might be a terrorist sleeper agent. Despite Akkad's insistence that he is a regular American like any of them, one of the boys pull a gun. Virgil puts on his Static costume and disables the weapon. He wants to attack the racist mob but instead chooses to deescalate the violence and simply have them arrested. Static is upset that he was so close to giving in to violence and anger, but together with Frieda they work instead to help rebuild the arcade.

Appearing in Static Shock: "Wednesday Afternoon"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Villains:

  • Unnamed racist mob

Other Characters:

  • Lex Luthor (Mentioned only)
  • Timothy McVeigh (Mentioned only)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

In this illustration several firefighters work together holding up rubble to pull people out of the WTC wreckage. One of them has his sleeve split open, revealing a tattoo of the Superman logo on his arm.

Appearing in "Untitled"

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Synopsis for "Gemini Falling"

The first page shows the WTC buildings in the New York City skyline with narration talking about how it signifies home to New Yorkers. The second page includes a panel of doctors, firefighters, police officers, and soldiers, crediting the days since the tragedy as a time of heroes, of unimaginable courage and sacrifice. The panels also depict workers in the WTC building and describes how others hate them simply for being close to the business of capitalism, making money to enrich themselves and others. The final panel of the page depicts a grieving family with the father in the back of the picture whited out. The third page features a kindergarten class building together with blocks, until one angry petulant child destroys the things they've built. The children cry, but the teacher punishes this child and they begin to rebuild.

This story is dedicated to Suzy, J.C., Jonathan and James.

Appearing in "Gemini Falling"

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Synopsis for "Untitled"

This illustration depicts Superman putting together a tower of blocks with a group of small children, one of whom is wearing an NYC hoodie.

Appearing in "Untitled"

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Synopsis for "Have You Seen..?"

A man wearing a turban is seen happily grilling at a barbecue with his two children. The panel view pulls out and we see that this is a photo on a wall of missing people who haven't been found yet in the WTC wreckage. The photo is pulled off the wall, and the man holding it is revealed to be the man in the picture. His family are with him embracing him, happy that he has been found and they can take his picture down. Despite this happiness, the man looks back sadly at all of the pictures still on the wall.

Appearing in "Have You Seen..?"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed man (wearing a turban)

Supporting Characters:

  • Unnamed boy (son of man)
  • Unnamed girl (daughter of man)
  • Unnamed woman (wife of man)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Tradition"

In the future, a woman and her son light a candle together while plugging a cellphone into the wall. They listen together to the last voicemail message of a man, presumably the father and husband, telling them he loves them before he is killed.

Appearing in "Tradition"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed boy (mourning)
  • Unnamed woman (mourning)

Supporting Characters:

  • Unnamed man (voice on phone)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

In this illustration a man in New York City is talking to someone on a cell phone. He runs out onto his porch just in time to see a plane colliding into one of the towers.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed man (holding phone)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

In this illustration a homeless man talks about the clean bathrooms and warm place to sleep underground that the WTC provided. He worries about his friends who have gone missing since the attack, and worries that like them he might die and no one will ever know.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed homeless man

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

In this illustration a red-haired woman clutching a used tissue sits on her bed, feeling the empty space of a missing partner on the pillow next to her.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed red haired woman

Locations:

Synopsis for "Section II: Heroes"

To introduce the second section, "Heroes," artists Greg & Tim Hildebrandt collaborate on an illustration of the WTC wreckage. The painting is an NYPD police officer's badge and an FDNY firefighter's axe resting on top of rubble.

Appearing in "Section II: Heroes"

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Synopsis for "Untitled"

This illustration depicts a firefighter standing with his dog amid the WTC wreckage, staring at two fallen beams that have landed in the shape of a crucifix.

Appearing in "Untitled"

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Synopsis for Astro City: "Since the Fire"

Farrell, a young boy recently caught in a fire, visits the firefighter who rescued him. The firefighter, Arnie Prentice, lost his leg saving Farrell and others from a building fire caused by a fight between Samaritan and King Missile. Farrell and his father offer Arnie a ride, and Farrell asks whether he regrets running into the building. Arnie explains that he wishes he had been fast enough to save his leg, but he would never trade it for the lives he's been able to save in recent months. They drive Arnie to a cemetery, where he pays respects to the other firefighters who died after pulling him out of the building when he lost his leg.

Appearing in Astro City: "Since the Fire"

Featured Characters:

  • Farrell (child)

Supporting Characters:

  • Astro City Fire Department
    • Arnie Prentice (firefighter)

Villains:

Other Characters:

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

In a household of anthropomorphic Dalmatians, a mother explains to her son why his father can't be there to tuck him and his younger sisters in at night. She explains that their father saves people and the boy takes reassurance in hearing about his bravery. The father, a firefighter, is seen in a framed picture surrounded by candles.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

  • Dalmation middle daughter (unnamed)
  • Dalmation youngest daughter (unnamed)
  • Dalmation mother (unnamed)
  • Dalmation son (unnamed)

Supporting Characters:

Locations:

Synopsis for "I, Paparazzi"

A paparazzi named Kyle Jacobs reflects on how much he views cops as an annoyance in his career, a "useless pain in the butt." On 9/11 he witnesses the twin towers fall. A cop helps save his life and then selflessly runs into danger. In the aftermath, Jacobs reflects that his idea of New York's Finest has changed.

Appearing in "I, Paparazzi"

Featured Characters:

  • Kyle Jacobs (paparazzo)

Supporting Characters:

Locations:

Synopsis for "The Job"

Two paramedics, Eddie and Will, help survivors at ground zero. Will is struggling to deal with the situation, and Eddie is initially comforting but then yells at him to pull it together. Eddie tells Will he needs to be here to do the job and not have his mind elsewhere. Tower 2 collapses with Eddie inside and Will realizes that his friend is dead, but he must continue to help survivors. Tears in his eyes and a look of determination on his face, he says to himself that he is here to do the job.

Appearing in "The Job"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

  • Jenna (patient)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

FDNY firefighters stand solemn and exhausted with shots of the towers being hit behind them.

Appearing in "Untitled"

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Synopsis for "Human Values"

Darwyn Cooke compares real heroes to the people that American society worships. He juxtaposes a soldier against a basketball player, a paramedic against a singer, and a firefighter against an actor playing a firefighters. He asks which one is more deserving of our adoration.

Appearing in "Human Values"

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Synopsis for "Untitled"

A small child wearing a Superman t-shirt runs into a phone booth and changes into an FDNY t-shirt.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed child

Locations:

Items:

Synopsis for "A Hard Day's Night"

Search and Rescue Dogs patrol Ground Zero looking for survivors. They appear exhausted and thirsty. Krypto the Super-Dog flies down with his giant water dish and leaves it for them all to drink, then winks and flies away.

Appearing in "A Hard Day's Night"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

  • Search and Rescue Dogs (unnamed)

Locations:

Synopsis for "The Firsts Division"

In the explosion at the Pentagon a Colonel is killed. Firefighters look for him as they sort through the rubble. Not realizing he is dead at first, the Colonel meets the ghost of George Washington. Washington introduces him to the ghosts of other U.S. military members who were the first to die in different wars. He welcomes the Colonel to his "Division of Firsts."

Appearing in "The Firsts Division"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Other Characters:

  • Billy Yank (ghost)
  • Crispus Attucks (ghost)
  • G.I. Joe (ghost)
  • Seaman Doe (ghost)

Locations:

Synopsis for "I Never Thought of Myself as a Hero"

In the bug city of Anthattan, a "salarybug" named Breezer works in the Antpire State Mound. He is horrified to watch a dragonflier crash into the World Honey Hives. Like many others he rushes into the streets to watch and is struck by the bravery of the emergency personnel responding. The incident shakes him to his core and he no longer feels safe even going into his own building. Despite this fear, he remembers the courage of the first responders and goes back to work.

Appearing in "I Never Thought of Myself as a Hero"

Featured Characters:

  • Breezer Bug (salarybug)

Other Characters:

  • Fireants / Firebugs (bug version of firefighters)
  • Unnamed bug version of police

Locations:

Vehicles:

  • Dragonflyer (bug version of plane)

Synopsis for Hellblazer: "Exposed"

John Constantine meets an old friend named Paul for drinks. Paul explains that he works at an insurance firm which stood to lose a lot of money after 9/11 through payouts. His boss Vivienne instructed them to deny as many claims as possible by requiring documentation proof that likely would have been lost in the buildings. Paul tricked her into believing that this practice has denied coverage to one of her estranged family members. Vivienne broke down and agrees to be more lenient with policies. Paul leaves the bar after telling his story, and John is unsure whether to ask for another drink.

Appearing in Hellblazer: "Exposed"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

  • Kev (bartender)
  • Paul (John's friend)

Villains:

  • H.S. Piper's (insurance company)
    • Vivienne Ilieuscu (Paul's boss)

Other Characters:

  • Jackie Ilieuscu (Mentioned only)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

An unnamed couple embraces at home on 9/11 as the smoking World Trade Center towers are seen on TV in the background.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed couple

Locations:

Synopsis for "Soldiers"

Soldiers at Ground Zero assist emergency personnel while reflecting on their sense of duty. In this moment, one thinks, all spending their entire energy to help in the face of danger are acting as soldiers. They go on to reflect about how terrorism has changed the nature of war, but as soldiers their next duty will be to hunt down these new enemies no matter how dishonorable they are.

Appearing in "Soldiers"

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Synopsis for "Untitled"

In a dream-like version of New York City where the buildings are all painted as American flags, figures from throughout American history assist a police officer and a firefighter in holding a building up as it falls.

Appearing in "Untitled"

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Synopsis for "Section III: Recollections"

To introduce the third section, "Recollections," artist John Bolton paints the faces of New Yorkers in the aftermath of 9-11. They appear in the smoke coming out of the World Trade Center as it looms over the city.

Appearing in "Section III: Recollections"

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Synopsis for "Priorities"

A businessman running late to work stresses out about his job. He realizes he forgot to tell his wife he loves her that morning, and decides to call home even though it will make him later. Some things are more important than work. Above his head, the first plane is about to hit the towers.

Appearing in "Priorities"

Featured Characters:

  • Businessman (unnamed)

Other Characters:

  • Anna (Mentioned only)
  • Honey (Mentioned only)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Walking the Williamsburg Bridge to Work"

Mo Willems shares his own story of walking to work that morning across the Williamsburg Bridge from Brooklyn, then stopping with all the other pedestrians as they react to the planes. He walks back home to be with his family, and marvels at the heroes heading into the danger.

Appearing in "Walking the Williamsburg Bridge to Work"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

  • Cheryl Camp (Mo's wife)
  • Triie Willems (Mo's daughter)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

Don McGregor talks about watching the towers fall from Marine Park with his son.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

Other Characters:

  • Rob McGregor (Mentioned only)

Locations:

Synopsis for Scene of the Crime: "Still Life"

Private investigator Jack Herriman reflects on photos taken at ground zero. His uncle, photographer Knut Herriman, had been in the vicinity and gone to work taking pictures when it happened. Jack and Knut talk about the purpose of photography, and how Knut uses it as a way to help himself understand tragedy. Later, Jack drinks with his friend Steve who blames the attacks on religion. Jack and Knut are visited in San Francisco by a woman from New York, the widow of a firefighter. She had seen a photograph taken by Knut of her husband, carrying a young girl to safety shortly before he ran back into the building and died. They talk about religion. Jack maintains his agnosticism, but tells the woman if there is any proof of a god it would be men like her husband. Knut and the widow take some small comfort in talking to each other, trying to make sense of things.

Appearing in Scene of the Crime: "Still Life"

Featured Characters:

  • Jack Herriman

Supporting Characters:

  • Knut Herriman
  • Steve Ellington

Other Characters:

  • Unnamed woman (FDNY widow)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Dust"

Firefighters struggle through the dust in the air at Ground Zero. A piece of paper floats down, with the words "from the desk of Ian Montgomery." In the aftermath, dust fills the air everywhere while labor crews try to do their business. A young girl places a missing poster on the wall featuring Ian Montgomery. She coughs and wheezes in the all-encompassing dust.

Appearing in "Dust"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

  • Unnamed girl (vigil attendee)

Other Characters:

  • Bud Jones (missing poster)
  • Ian Montgomery (missing poster)
  • Jack Hamm (missing poster)
  • Jackson F (missing poster)
  • Jill Hahn (missing poster)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Untitled"

A candle vigil is assembled for fallen firefighters.

Appearing in "Untitled"

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Locations:

Synopsis for "Section IV: Unity"

To introduce the fourth section, "Unity," artist John Van Fleet paints a bag of donated blood on the ground. The bag is Type O+, the date listed is 9/11/2001, and the blood takes the colors of the American flag.

Appearing in "Section IV: Unity"

Items:

  • Type: O+ (blood bag)

Synopsis for "Untitled"

Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman stand atop a globe holding a long tapestry of flags from different countries coming together.

Appearing in "Untitled"

Featured Characters:

Locations:

Synopsis for "9 A.M. EST"

A grid layout of panels shows people around the world simultaneously reacting to the first plane hitting the World Trade Center on TV. The final panel depicts Kabul, where instead of folks crowded around a television there is only a pile of broken televisions in the street.

Appearing in "9 A.M. EST"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed (citizens around the world)

Locations:

Synopsis for "For Art's Sake"

A comic book artist named Vince struggles to find meaning in his work, after watching the trade center fall from his roof. He shares a studio now with his father, an older artist. They talk about the value of art in difficult times. Vince believes his work is meaningless, and he should give it up to do something more useful and heroic. Vince's father talks about the value of art to encourage different kinds of thought, and teach people there are solutions to problems besides killing. He talks about how lucky they are to live in a world that rewards art and encourages freedom of expression, unlike many living under the Taliban. Vince asks how they can repay the debt to those who sacrificed their lives in creating this world. His father says they can use their gift to try and help others cope with the tragedy. It is shown that Vince's father is illustrating the conversation they are having.

Appearing in "For Art's Sake"

Featured Characters:

  • Vince (comic book artist)

Supporting Characters:

  • Vince's father (unnamed)

Other Characters:

Locations:

Synopsis for "No Sale"

A woman silently goes about her daily routine in the aftermath of 9/11. Everywhere she is bombarded with crass consumerist attempts to monetize and profit from the tragedies. This includes radio ads, popular music, business strategies at her job, the gas station, televised news, online auction sites. She hears a knock on the door at night and is greeted by two smiling kids selling baked goods to fundraise for the victims. She happily buys all of their cookies.

Appearing in "No Sale"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed (business woman)

Locations:

Synopsis for "The Call"

A young man is reading superhero comics in a park. His female friend gets off the phone with her mother, who says they are looking for blood donors again at a nearby hospital. They both snap into action, excited for an opportunity to be real heroes.

Appearing in "The Call"

Featured Characters:

  • Unnamed (young man)
  • Unnamed (young woman)

Other Characters:

Locations:

  • America (unspecified)

Items:

  • JLA (comic book)

Vehicles:

Synopsis for "A Tale of 2 Americans"

A man named Joe attempts to organize a charity fundraiser in his neighborhood. His neighbor declines to attend. Joe questions the man's patriotism, and the neighbor replies "character is doing the right thing when no one is watching." Later Joe watches a news report about an anonymous huge donation, and the repeated phrase makes him realize it was his neighbor. That night as they set candles out, he puts one on his neighbor's front step in appreciation.

Appearing in "A Tale of 2 Americans"

Featured Characters:

  • Joe (charity drive organizer)
  • Unnamed (Joe's neighbor)

Locations:

  • America (unspecified)

Synopsis for "America's Pastime"

Two baseball fans watch the game in a bar. One is upset that the other has begun wearing a Yankees cap when they are both Red Sox fans. He rants about how much he hates the Yankees, but his friend says the people of New York need their support. The angry fan says this is letting the terrorists get to them, this is what they want. He says that when you stop hating the Yankees, the terrorists win.

Appearing in "America's Pastime"

Featured Characters:

  • Jimmy (baseball fan)
  • Tommy (baseball fan)

Other Characters:

  • Bob (TV sports announcer)

Locations:

Synopsis for "Silver Linings in a Big Dust Cloud"

In the midst of so much terror and tragedy, a few nice things are compiled. They are examples of good things that happened, small miracles, people going out of their way to help in whatever way they can.

Appearing in "Silver Linings in a Big Dust Cloud"

Featured Characters:

  • Lone Kitty (unnamed)
  • Massage therapists (unnamed)
  • Red Cross (volunteers)
  • Rescue workers (unnamed)
  • Restaurant owners (unnamed)
  • Sniffer dogs (with boots on)
  • Wheelchair-bound girls (unnamed)

Locations:

Synopsis for "What We Learned Today"

A teacher at her desk is crying, distraught that children have been forced to learn so many horrible things about the world so young. Behind her the chalkboard has words like "TALIBAN" and "ANTHRAX" on it. A parent arrives and shares some words his young daughter wrote. Some of the words they have learned are scary, but others give them hope. Next to the others on the chalkboard is the bold word "UNITY."

Appearing in "What We Learned Today"

Featured Characters:

  • Mr. Sanchez (teacher)
  • Ms. Jones (parent)

Other Characters:

  • Sonia (Mentioned only)

Locations:

  • School (unspecified)

Notes



See Also


Links and References

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