Max Brooks' last adaptation to hit the screen - World War Z - ended up with a global box office take of over half-a-billion dollars.  Now Sony is hoping lightning strikes twice for Brooks, as they've picked up the feature rights to his upcoming graphic novel, The Harlem Hellfighters.  Based on the 369th Infantry Regiment (the first African-American regiment called upon to fight in World War I), the graphic novel follows the soldiers from basic training to the trenches of France, where they spent more time in combat than any other American unit.  Hit the jump for more.

News of Sony's acquisition of The Harlem Hellfighters comes via Heat Vision.  Overbrook Entertainment, founded by Will Smith and James Lassiter, will produce alongside Josh Bratman.

Here's the synopsis from the upcoming graphic novel, illustrated by Caanan White, and due out April 1st (via Amazon):

THE HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS is a fictionalized account of the 369th Infantry Regiment—the first African American regiment mustered to fight in World War I. From the enlistment lines in Harlem to the training camp at Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the trenches in France, bestselling author Max Brooks tells the thrilling story of the heroic journey that these soldiers undertook for a chance to fight for America. Despite extraordinary struggles and discrimination, the 369th became one of the most successful—and least celebrated—regiments of the war. The Harlem Hellfighters, as their enemies named them, spent longer than any other American unit in combat and displayed extraordinary valor on the battlefield. Based on true events and featuring artwork from acclaimed illustrator Caanan White, these pages deliver an action-packed and powerful story of courage, honor, and heart.