Script: It's here that M. Zachary Sherman in consultation with Army Subject Matter Experts lays out the blueprint for the entire story by crafting the plot, characters and dialog. The Army team ensures that every detail is authentic from units, to weapons to technologies. Each page of the graphic novel is divided into panels (the individual pictures that combine to tell the story). At this point in the first issue, the Long Range Surveillance (LRS) platoon comes under fire. Their training kicks in and they immediately cover each other as they move out to their extraction point. Unfortunately, the NME gets off a lucky shot!

Pencils: After the layouts have been approved, Mike moves onto the pencils for the page. Fleshing out details such as weapons, uniforms and likenesses, Mike is able to bring the piece to life. It's at this stage that the SMEs (Senior Matter Experts) go through the art to make sure everything is 100% technically accurate and up to Army standards. We take into consideration every single detail like correct unit patches and tabs, weapon mods, and even the pocket placement on the uniforms! Every technical detail is scrutinized.

Colors: Using every ounce of skill and technical ability, the color stage is where J. Brown brings the characters and the environments to life. From adding muzzle flashes, glows to explosions, and even the camouflage pattern on each of the soldier's uniforms, the color stage adds a level of detail that would be lost in just the inking stage.