An Eisner nominee (like its companion volume Two-Fisted Science) and Lulu of the Year nominee for 1999, Dignifying Science has earned praise from the toughest critics of all: the scientists themselves. Discover Magazine (February, 2000) says "In Ottaviani's hands, cartooning becomes exciting education. It's a tribute to Ottaviani's breezy style that one wants to dig into [the] references and learn a little nuclear physics. Now that is a superheroic achievement." Simon Singh, award-winning author of The Code Book and Fermat's Enigma writes: "When it comes to popularising science, Jim Ottaviani's comic books do an excellent job of telling scientific stories in a fun and absorbing way. His latest, Dignifying Science, is a beautifully drawn series of stories about women who made major contributions to science and technology, but who have been largely forgotten..." (The Independent - London, 12 December 1999).

Jean Kumagai, Physics Today
I felt a little self-conscious paging through a comic book while waiting at the bar of an upscale Manhattan restaurant. My taste in books usually runs toward the ones without pictures. But Dignifying Science quickly won me over.

Will Eisner, creator of The Spirit
A fine work and contribution to the body of good and mature comics...bravo.

Retailer Reviews, The Comics Buyer's Guide
Entertaining and inspirational...a home schooler's dream. If you know any girls with the slightest aptitude in math or sciences, can change their lives by buying them this.

About the Author
Jim Ottaviani is a nuclear engineer now working as a librarian at the University of Michigan. He has been writing in and about comics for almost 10 years, and his stories have earned him a Xeric Grant and Eisner Award nominations.

Fallout features art by award winning artists such as Steve Lieber (Whiteout, Batman), Vince Locke (Deadworld, Sandman), Bernie Mireault (Mackenzie Queen, The Jam, Grendel Tales), Eddy Newell (Black Lightning, Batman), Jeff Parker (Interman, "Solitaire, Wonder Woman") with Janine Johnston and a painted cover by noted Studio artist Jeffrey Jones.

The stories offer a human context often missing when students learn the equations that bear the scientists' names. Readers, drawn to the book by the compelling anecdotes, will discover intriguing characters that lived real lives beyond ink on paper. End notes and references will lead them to further information on the scientists they've read about.
The trade paperback is self-published with the generous assistance of a grant from the Xeric foundation. Established by Peter Laird (one of the creators of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles") each year the foundation awards a select group of comics creators money to bring their work to press. I am grateful to the foundation for their support and confident that you will consider this portion of the "Turtle" fortune well-spent!

Penn Jillette, the taller, more talkative half of Penn & Teller:
"I loved seeing real superheroes in the same medium as the fantasy superheroes. Man, these guys don't pale standing next to Batman and Superman."

Will Eisner, creator of The Spirit:
"This is exactly the kind of stuff that should be done in our medium."

FACTSHEET 5 #63, March 1998:
"[W]onderfully offbeat and human. This collection illustrates some of science history's more offbeat sides: the blood feuds, the mischief, the love affairs, and the secret espionage."

Seattle's THE STRANGER, 11/20/97:
"The writing is informed and educational, but never dry. This would be a great textbook for a high school science class."

Comics Buyers Guide, 1/2/98:
"[T]his stunning collection of stories and anecdotes about science and scientists will engross and enlighten the reader ... a bargain and so damned good I can hardly believe it exists."