In celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday, the Association of the U.S. Army is releasing a special edition graphic novel titled The Birth of the U.S. Army.

The standalone graphic novel marks the milestone anniversary of the Army, which was established on June 14, 1775—more than a year before the Declaration of Independence. Under civil authority, militia from separate colonies unified under a new commander to form a national force to fight for independence.

“AUSA is proud to celebrate the 250th birthday of America’s first national institution, the Army, with this new graphic novel,” said Joseph Craig, director of AUSA’s Book Program. “My thanks go out to the creative team and our historical advisers for making it possible.”

The Birth of the U.S. Army is available here.

AUSA also has a Medal of Honor graphic novel series that highlights Army recipients of the nation’s highest award for valor. Those graphic novels are available here.

The Birth of the U.S. Army opens on April 19, 1775, as American and British soldiers clash in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord, and in the bloody British retreat to Boston that follows.

On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia, and delegates from the 13 colonies turn their attention to the onset of hostilities with Britain. After much deliberation, the Continental Congress on June 14 votes to create the Continental Army. This new Army, America’s first national institution, includes 10 companies of riflemen, with the first enlistees coming from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

A day later, Congress votes to appoint Gen. George Washington as commander in chief of the Continental Army. His commission reads, in part, “We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be General and Commander in chief … for the Defence of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof.”

The graphic novel then traces Washington’s journey from Cambridge, where he gets his first glimpse of his fledgling Army, to the March 2, 1776, bombardment of British-held Boston, to the Army’s ultimate victory in Yorktown in 1781.

“Born from a desire for liberty, forged in the heat of battle, the United States Army has stood as the first line of defense for 250 years,” the graphic novel says.

The Birth of the U.S. Army, like AUSA’s other graphic novels, was created by a team of professional comic book veterans. The script for The Birth of the U.S. Army was written by Chuck Dixon, whose previous work includes Batman, The Punisher and The ‘Nam.

Artwork and the cover were by Wayne Vansant, who has worked on The ‘Nam, Savage Tales and All Quiet on the Western Front; and the lettering was by Troy Peteri, who has worked on Spider-Man, Iron Man and X-Men.