© U.S. ArmyMembers of the U.S. Army encounter hostile Czervenian forces in the graphic novel series
A helicopter hovers over a refugee camp in the rain, its blades whirring as rain falls. Soldiers parachute into the forest near a Czervenian staging area and watch through night-vision scopes.
The scenes are part of "America's Army," a graphic novel launched by the U.S. Army in 2009. Once available only in a static form through a web-based reader, the panels now come alive with sound effects and partial animation in a new iPad and Android app released last week.
Soldiers can be heard rustling in leaves as they try to hide from Czervenian forces on a night mission. Gunfire rattles as the screen flashes with "BOOM," "PING," and "PANG."
© U.S. ArmyU.S. soldiers conduct a mission in Czervenian enemy territory.
Michael Barnett, a chief engineer for the Army Game Studio and executive producer of the comic series, told msnbc.com that the comic is designed to show the personal aspects of missions as well as highlight the various roles soldiers play in conflict.
Kirby, for example, is a soldier on his first deployment who is unsure that he'll perform well under pressure. Minor characters include a lawyer and doctor, both of whom wouldn't normally get screen time in a video game. Many of the stories, Barnett said, are based on soldiers' real experiences.
The Army has published comics for decades through PS, The Preventive Maintenance Monthly, a series for soldiers that teaches maintenance skills and tips via a monthly strip.
Barnett said he did not know yet how many users have downloaded the app, but is hopeful that the tablet technology will help reach civilians and soldiers alike.
"That's what we really love about comic books," Barnett said, "they bridge a very wide audience."
Comment: Gotten your fill yet? Sounds pretty cool, eh? Except the parts they left out about the Military during times of war:
Kill your fellow man, get a shiny new medal for being a hero in some War who's effect will be settled by bankers, politicians and business men. That's right, step right up and gain PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), live a life of fear and reaction to the next car horn, become more psychopathic, be the first kid on your block with a confirmed kill. There are NO other jobs, but you too, can become cannon fodder for the war machine. You too, can be gung-ho and mutilate the made-up-enemy-of-the-day, from the comfort of your base half-way across the globe and never have to look the (made up) enemy in the eye, with our new class of drone fighters!
That's the United States: The Greatest
fuckingcountry in the world!Only complete Lunacy would cause a nation to place the ugliness and brutality of war in a comic book and create the image of heroism from the blood lust and desires of control by its leadership. Register today. Join up now and enjoy this new free app for your iPod™ or Andoid™!