On September 11th, Frank Miller will be one of a number of essayists sharing their thoughts on the NPR program THIS I BELIEVE:

Comic book writer and illustrator Frank Miller discusses his upbringing and newfound belief in patriotism and the U.S. flag in an essay for the NPR (National Public Radio) series This I Believe airing on Morning Edition, Monday, September 11. Inspired by newsman Edward R. Murrow’s 1950’s radio program of the same name, This I Believe features Americans from all walks of life expressing their core beliefs and values in short, personal essays.

With his essay, Miller joins an impressive list of essayists including Senator John McCain, skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, magician Penn Jillette, illusionist David Copperfield, Bill Gates and Colin Powell. In addition to airing during Morning Edition, his essay will be available to read and listen to at www.npr.org/thisibelieve on Monday. The website already includes the audio and transcripts for all past essayists as well.

After never fully believing in patriotism and the U.S. flag, Miller discusses how the events of 9/11 shaped his newfound belief in patriotism and the flag. In discussing 9/11, Miller says, “I draw and write comic books. One thing my job involves is making up bad guys. Imagining human villainy in all its forms. Now the real thing had showed up. The real thing murdered my neighbors. In my city. In my country.â€? Miller adds, “Patriotism, I now believe, isn’t some sentimental, old, conceit. It’s self-preservation. I believe patriotism is central to a nation’s survival.â€?

As you know, Frank Miller is an acclaimed comic book artist whose titles include “Batman: The Dark Night Returnsâ€? and “Sin City.â€? He is credited as co-director with Robert Rodriguez for the movie adaptation of “Sin City.â€? In Miller¹s upcoming Batman chronicle, “Holy Terror, Batman,â€? Batman takes on Osama bin Laden.

According to published reports, Morning Edition is the #1 morning radio news program in the U.S. It airs nationally on 635 public radio stations and has more than 13.1 million weekly listeners. For local stations and time periods of Morning Edition, check http://www.npr.org/schedule/index.php.

The new rendition of This I Believe, launched in April 2005, has become a big hit with listeners and shows the public’s renewed interest in discussing beliefs and values. In addition to prominent essayists, the series has now received nearly 15,000 essays from listeners across the country. To date, every This I Believe essay has ranked among the top e-mailed stories on NPR.org. Each Monday, a new essay airs alternating between NPR’s newsmagazines Morning Edition and All Things Considered.