NEW YORK - s4story -- Award-winning writer Mike Baron knows how to say thanks to some of his best and bravest fans. Baron quickly raised the funds to self-publish his police-focused graphic novel "Thin Blue Line," and decided to give back several thousand dollars to three police charities. He also wanted to remind readers about this week's Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and the sacrifices made by men and women in blue.

Baron is most well-known for writing legends like The Flash, Nexus and The Punisher, but unlike his superheroes, "Thin Blue Line" was rejected by almost every publisher he submitted it to. Most responded that they didn't want to treat police officers as heroes, which inspired Baron to self-publish it through crowdfunding.

Baron's legions of fans agreed and their response to his crowdfunding campaign was tremendous, contributing nearly $150,000 to publish and distribute the premium graphic novel on Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

"This comic isn't a recruitment book," Baron says. "It's just a thrilling action drama, similar in many ways to elements my fans may recall from the five years I wrote The Punisher, which were grittier and more realistic than most mainstream superhero comics."

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One cutting-edge comic book publisher eventually stepped up and told Baron they wanted to release the book, and announced last week that they would distribute it to comic shops nationwide as a traditional one-shot comic book.

Antarctic Press, a successful indie comics publisher for 40 years, run by brothers Benn and Joeming Dunn, scooped up the project because they felt it would be a great addition to their innovative brand, which publishes popular indie comics like "Ninja High School," "Tomorrow Girl," and "Exciting Comics."

'Thin Blue Line' tells the story of two police officers assigned to guard a local politician amid riots that begin over a police shooting. The rookie cop, a single mom, winds up having to survive the nightly chaos while protecting her family.

The book's penciller, Joseph Arnold, was a police officer himself, and an Army veteran, which lent authenticity to the story. Arnold always dreamed of working with the legendary Baron, but he also had very personal reasons for wanting to illustrate 'Thin Blue Line'.

"I was eager to show another side of policing," Arnold says. "The story emphasizes family, interpersonal dynamics and shows police officers from many different backgrounds. I put my heart into every page, and my inker Jeff Slemons did an incredible job on the finishes. I think it will have a positive impact on policing."

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The team also put their money where their hearts were and donated $3,500 of the profits from the 'Thin Blue Line' crowdfunding campaigns to three police-related programs which were relevant to the story. Those organizations were Adopt a Cop BJJ, The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the National Fallen Officer Foundation.

Baron also hopes this new printing being made available exclusively to comic shops will bring some positive attention to law enforcement to a younger generation of readers, and annual events like this week's Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on January 9^th, which is dedicated to thanking police officers across the country for their work and sacrifices.

Thin Blue Line is available to pre-order at comic shops everywhere this month and will arrive in stores March 2024. To find the comic shop nearest you, simply visit ComicShopLocator.com so you can pre-order it there. To learn more about the comic by visiting PreviewsWorld.com or ThinBlueLinecomics.com/about.