We were both surprised and pleased to learn that Shooters won a PRISM Award, for the book's portrayal of mental health issues related to PTSD. 

The PRISM Awards "is a nationally-televised awards show recognizing the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction in film, television, interactive, music, DVD, and comic book entertainment. Established in 1997, the PRISM Awards honor productions that are not only powerfully entertaining, but authentically portray substance abuse and addiction, as well as mental health issues."

For more information about the PRISM Awards, visit their website.

Steve, Brandon and Eric wish to thank the Entertainment Industries Council (the group that runs the PRISM Awards) for their recognition of Shooters. We're very grateful. 

I was pleased to see Shooters make Comic Book Resources' "Best of 2012" year-end list. (We landed at #69.)  Thanks to CBR's Brian Cronin for the shout-out!

In other news, DC's March solicits include the softcover publication of Shooters; if you missed it in hardcover, perhaps you'll give it a try this spring. 

Happy New Year, everyone. 

-E

All three creators of Shooters will be attending Rose City Comic-Con in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, Sept. 8 & Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. 

The show is held at the Doubletree by Hilton

1000 Multnomah St.

Portland, OR 97232

For ticketing and other information, visit the show's website. 

See you there! 

Art by Steve Lieber.

In a couple of weeks, it will mark 90 days since Shooters hit store shelves, and -- on this sunny July 4 -- it seemed like a good moment for me to take a look around and enjoy the view. 

Shooters was the culmination of a dozen false starts, hundreds of hours of e-mails, phone calls, interviews with current and former military personnel, and countless more hours staring at a blank screen thinking, "dear GOD what have I done?" 

Since the book launched on 18 April, it has received a generous outpouring of support -- from the soldiers it is about, from the comics and general news media fascinated by the subject matter. 

We've spoken to NPR. We received terrific reviews and commentary from USA Today, Newsarama, Scripps-Howard News Service, and more blogs, fans, and podcasts than I can easily list. (Except here. Thank you, all of you.)

We've signed books at the military base featured in the book, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

We've signed books at conventions. We've spoken to fans at many Pacific Northwest comic stores. 

We've been thanked by men and women in uniform, which is a universe turned topsy-turvy: obviously, thanks are due in the opposite direction. 

We've seen the book reprinted (unusual for a hardcover original graphic novel so soon in its life cycle); clearly, the book is finding its audience.

I had the bittersweet pleasure of seeing my hometown newspaper cover the book launch (albeit in a manner riddled with errors, which just felt...right somehow, given how quickly I wanted to get the hell out of there). 

There was the even more bittersweet moments of thanks and praise from my family—those who knew Dave (my late brother-in-law, upon whom much of Shooters is based) best. That means more to me than I can express here. 

And for all this, on behalf of myself, Steve Lieber and Brandon Jerwa, we are grateful beyond words. 

Have a safe, happy, healthy Fourth of July. 

--Eric Trautmann

Raymond, WA

The fine folks at The Pull List review Shooters, giving it high marks, indeed, calling it "emotionally provocative," and praising Steve Lieber's expressive and nuanced artwork. 

Here's a link to the podcast (right click > save as). The Shooters review begins a little past the 30 minute mark.

Thank you, Pull List! 

Art by Steve Lieber.

Shooters creators Brandon Jerwa, Steve Lieber, and Eric Trautmann will be signing at I Like Comics, in Vancouver, WA, Saturday, June 23, 2012. The event runs from 1pm–5pm.

I Like Comics

2101 E. 4th Plain

Vancouver, WA

ph. 1.360.852.8890

Check back at I Like Comics' Facebook page for updates.

Art by Steve Lieber.

Shooters writers Brandon Jerwa and Eric Trautmann will be signing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington State, this Saturday, June 16th, 2012.  (JBLM is formerly Ft. Lewis, which features prominently in the book.) 

The signing will be at the base Exchange, and starts at 10am. 

Copies of Shooters will be available for purchase, at a military discount. 

Hope to see you there!