With the announcement last week that Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries has posted complete scans for 145 regular issues, 3 special issues, and 14 index issues of Will Eisner’s rare PS Magazine, I thought it would be fun to have the VCU librarian in charge of the project, Cindy Jackson, as well as the author of the upcoming book, Will Eisner & PS Magazine, Paul Fitzgerald, come on Mr. Media and talk about this little known period in the comics master’s career.

As Eisner’s authorized biographer — you have read Will Eisner: A Spirited Life by now, haven’t you? — I certainly have a little extra interest in the topic. And with all the hype for Frank Miller’s upcoming film, Will Eisner’s The Spirit, the time seems extra-ripe for this!

Eisner drew and was artistic editor for PS Magazine from its inception in 1951 until 1972 and these are truly rare examples of his incomparable art work and direction. In an effort to encourage soldiers to keep better care of their equipment, the US Army hired Eisner’s American Visuals Corporation to do a digest-sized publication focusing on preventive maintenance. Each issue consisted of a color comic book style cover; eight pages of four color comic continuity story in the middle; and a wealth of technical, safety, and policy information printed in two color.

Won’t you join us LIVE on BlogTalkRadio.com this FRIDAY, APRIL 18 at 1 p.m. EST? CLICK HERE: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mrmedia/2008/04/18/Cindy-Jackson-and-Paul-Fitzgerald-WILL-EISNER-PS-MAGAZINE-VCU-librarian-and-author-Mr-Media and you can participate in a simultaneous web chat or call in and ask the experts your own questions at (646) 595-3135.