When I first read Anthony Lappé’s treatment for Shooting War, I knew immediately that I wanted to publish his story somehow, some way on SMITH. We had never done anything like it—it was fiction for starters, and SMITH typically sticks to nonfiction stories with a focus on personal narrative. Still, the story was too good, the ideas behind it too smart, the whole sensibility too current to pass up. Lappé and I had actually met moons ago at Burning Man, and were reunited by Jeff Newelt. Jeff read the same treatment and had a genius vision for Shooting War as a comic; a few drinks later, it was decided: Shooting War would be SMITH’s first serialized webcomic. All we had to do was find an artist. Dan Goldman was miraculously found. The boys dug in. A webcomic sensation, and soon after hardcover graphic novel, was born. And now Shooting War is headed into its next life: a miniseries.

After optioning the film and television rights for Shooting War, London based independent producer Power, is developing a brand new state-of-the-art TV series on the war on terror, the media and the rise of “citizen journalism.”

“I’m very psyched to have sold the option to a UK company,” says Lappé. The Brits are great at two things: dark humor and more recently, America-bashing, so I think it’s a great fit. There seems to be much more latitude to deal with ‘war on terror’ issues on television over there. I am especially thankful for the SMITH editors and readers who helped me launch the project.”

Power founder and CEO Justin Bodle told Comics2Film, “This has to be the graphic novel of 2007,” a sentiment many agreed with, including USA Today. “I am delighted that Power now has the opportunity to bring this astute, vivid and brilliant web serial and book to the screen.”

The Brits have had a lot of love for Shooting War. The December ‘07 British GQnamed the book one of the 100 best things in the world, and the authors launched their world tour in London (Lappé blogs about it here). The UK-based Forbidden Planet International named it the top graphic novel of 2007, declaring it an “absolute revelation.”

Revelation—and a testament to the power of original, dynamic storytelling.

Tags: Anthony Lappe, Dan Goldman, Jeff Newelt, Shooting War