IT Security Gets Its Own Comic Strip

7:00 PM -- Who needs Dilbert? Now you've got "Heroes happen {here},"a new Web-based comic strip launched today about four IT people that will draw on real IT war stories.

The daily Web comic was created by veteran comic book writer and editor Jordan B. Gorfinkel and is sponsored by Microsoft and Seagate. It follows the adventures of IT protagonists who are "thrown together" to track a rogue computer virus. Gorfinkel, who among his credits at DC Comics was having a hand in the Batman franchise comeback, says he's soliciting input from the industry for storyline ideas and concepts for the series, which runs from now until June 28.

The title and concept sound awfully noble -- Microsoft and Seagate sponsored the strip "as a way to demonstrate their respect and appreciation for the IT community, and to celebrate these unsung heroes in a unique, fun and informative way," according to the press release announcing the project. But the cartoon's debut is tied to the February 27 release of Microsoft's Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, and Microsoft SQL Server 2008, according to the press release. There's a disclaimer on the comic's site that Microsoft doesn't own the content.

The first episode depicts "Steve Donnell, software developer," in his home office, carefully explaining what he does for a living to his school-aged son for a school presentation (writing "algorithms to build software packages and drivers that do everything from sending email to encrypting CDs to calibrating airplanes and lasers").

Wow, so how does that mouthful translate for the elementary school set? Steve's son reports to his class that his dad drives an ice cream truck.

Didn't like that ending? Go ahead and submit an idea of your own for the strip.

— Kelly Jackson Higgins, Senior Editor, Dark Reading