This one-of-a-kind painting depicts a key scene from the upcoming illustrated short story Ashes and Limestone, part of the Steam and Brass series. Set during the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the artwork centers on the city’s iconic limestone Water Tower - depicted here as a beacon of survival in a world reduced to ash. In the story, a fictional firefighter named Frank Trautman wraps the tower in wet fabric in a desperate bid to protect it from the flames.

Rendered in Dennis' comic-inspired illustration style, the piece features strong black outlines, warm color palettes, and hand-drawn pencil work layered over acrylic washes. The result is a dramatic, narrative-driven composition that blends historical fiction with visual storytelling.

This piece will also be featured in Pulp Logic alongside the full illustrated version of Ashes and Limestone - a story of fire, memory, and the quiet endurance of symbols that refuse to fall.