Tag Archives: z2 comics

NYCC 2025: Celebrate and Meet The Creative Team Behind The New Kool Keith Original Graphic Novel At New York’s Most Creative Dispensary: NYC Bud

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Krossover Into The Flower Kosmic

To celebrate Z2’s newest graphic novel, they have teamed up with NYC Bud’s Manhattan location – designed as a scaled-down replica of Grand Central Station for a series of signings, events, and discounts for all attendees of the nearby 2025 New York Comic Con. Hip-hop legend Kool Keith and longtime collaborator Esoteric of Czarface will be joined by Sean Von Gorman of Comics to sign their brand new graphic novel Krossover Into The Flower Kosmic on Thursday, October 9th at exactly 4:20PM.

He is the hip-hop legend with a million monikers. Now Kool Keith rallies his myriad personas together for the first time in “The Krossover of the Flower Kosmic,” an original graphic novel. Written by Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan of CZARFACE and illustrated by Sean Von Gorman, this book includes Dr. Octagon, Dr. Dooom, Black Elvis and many more Keiths in an adventure that brings the surreal and eccentric nature of Kool Keith to psychedelic life on every page!

The 100 page oversized 12”x12” book comes in a slipcased Deluxe Edition as well as a limited and signed Platinum Edition, which comes with art prints, a collector card, and an exclusive colorway of Kool Keith and Esoteric’s STRESS EATER vinyl. Deluxe and platinum editions are available exclusively at Z2’s website, while a standard 9”x9” edition is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, as well as other independent retailers and fine comic shops worldwide.

NYC Bud’s Manhattan dispensary is located at 405 W 39th Street, New York, NY and near all public transportation and mass transit. The second NYC Bud location, the dispensary is an experience just to visit. Featuring a mini-Grand Central featuring vintage subway signage, a replica of the central ticket booth, and a recreation of the terminal’s iconic celestial ceiling, complete with zodiac constellations and gold accents, NYC Bud is the most creative cannabis dispensary in the city.

David Dastmalchian and Z2 Take Readers Through To A New Graphic Novel Universe

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Through

David Dastmalchian has partnered with Z2 to release a powerful new original graphic novel, Through, telling the astonishing story of Alix, a young woman driven by a compulsive need to control the world around her. After a near-death experience, she’s thrust into a labyrinthine realm cloaked in shadows and populated by fantastical creatures, where she is stunned to discover that this mysterious land has been constructed solely for her… A kingdom to rule? Or a prison? As danger closes in, threatening complete obliteration, she must decipher the clues that reveal the true nature of this realm in order to save both the land… and herself.

More than just a compelling fantasy story, Through is an allegory about learning to ask for help, and embracing the individual imperfections that make us unique… and powerful… as human beings.

The radically different visual styles of the gritty world of urban Chicago, and the mystically surreal land of Ananda Apastan are brought to life by acclaimed artist Cat Staggs.

The 140 page book is available in a Deluxe Edition as well as a signed Platinum Edition, which comes with art prints, a set of Focus Cards, and a metal pin featuring the needle that serves as Alix’s doorway to the world of Ananda Apastan. Deluxe and platinum editions are available exclusively at Z2’s website, while a standard trade-sized edition is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, as well as other independent retailers and comic shops worldwide.

SDCC 2025: Twiztid and Z2 unveil Mayhem Manor, an Original Graphic Novel with Companion Audiobook and Soundtrack

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Mayhem Manor

Twiztid have leveled-up their Haunted High-Ons saga, teaming with Z2 to produce a brand new story and jumping off point with the Mayhem Manor graphic novel and companion soundtrack. Mayhem Manor takes the hip-hop, horror, and heavy metal fiends higher than ever before, in a lush, deluxe format.

With a jaw-dropping cover illustration by legendary album artist Ed Repka, story by Ryan J. Downey, and art by Marianna Penacosta, and Stan Yak, Mayhem Manor sees the Demented Duo of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide hoping to survive the night in a haunted amusement park to claim a mysterious inheritance.

The Deluxe versions of the Mayhem Manor graphic novel includes an exclusive vinyl soundtrack; Featuring an audio-rendition of Mayhem Manor on one side, (Narrated and performed by Madrox and Monoxide of Twiztid.) while the album’s B-side features two new exclusive Twiztid songs in honor of Mayhem Manor!

Twiztid will also be appearing at the Z2 Booth (#1529) at the San Diego Comic Con International. Madrox and Monoxide will be there signing SDCC exclusive art prints. Signing days and times to be announced next week.

The 56-page oversized 12”x12” hardcover also comes in a slipcased Platinum Edition, which comes signed by Twiztid members Madrox and Monoxide; plus three (3) Stan Yak art prints, and a Twiztid two-piece Ed Repka-painted card set in collector’s frames. Deluxe editions are available exclusively at Z2’s website while a standard 9”x9” edition is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, as well as other independent retailers and fine comic shops worldwide.

The Blues Brothers: The Lost Recordings Include 13 Unreleased Live Performances, Limited Edition Blue Vinyl Exclusively Bundled With Deluxe Editions of Z2’s The Blues Brothers: The Escape Of Joliet Jake

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June 20, 1980. A day that changed comedy forever. With the release of The Blues Brothers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd unleashed a film that would thrill and entertain generations with their Mission From God. As previously announce, exactly 45 years later, Z2 has partnered with the Aykroyd and Belushi families and estate to deliver the sequel to that film in the original graphic novel, The Blues Brothers: The Escape Of Joliet Jake.

Uncovered by the late Judy Belushi Pisano, this series of unreleased recordings is a rare musical glimpse at Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues at the height of their blues powers. Belushi and Aykroyd blast through a 13-song set with some of the greatest musicians who ever lived. The gang is all here, as Blues Brothers legends Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Steve “The Colonel” Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Paul “The Shiv” Shaffer, Lou “Blue Lou” Marini, Tom “Bones” Malone, Alan “Mr. Fabulous” Rubin, Steve “GETDWA” Jordan, and Tom “Triple Scale” Scott show why this band is timeless. The album features unheard versions of blues classics including “Hey Bartender,” “Rubber Biscuit,” and “Green Onions.” This album will be available exclusively as a Royal Blue-colored vinyl release, packaged with The Blues Brothers: The Escape Of Joliet Jake.

Here’s a peek at the 13 unreleased tracks featured on The Blues Brothers: The Escape Of Joliet Jake Royal Blue Vinyl LP:

SIDE A

1. “Welcome” 
2. “Flip, Flop & Fly”
3.”Hey Bartender”
4. “Messin’ With The Kid” 
5. “(I Got Everything I Need) Almost” 
6. “Rubber Biscuit” 
7. “Shot Gun Blues”

SIDE B

8. “I Don’t Know” 
9. “Groove Me” 
10. “Excusez Moi Mon Cherie” 
11. “Soul Man” 
12. “B Movie Box Car Blues” 
13. “Green Onions”

To honor the 45th anniversary of the Blues Brothers movie premier and the Lost Recordings being released, Z2 has created a series of high-quality Blues Brothers apparel. The first two designs from this capsule collection feature the art of Felipe Sobreiro and are available exclusively today on Z2comics.com.

Fans can now purchase the Deluxe Edition of The Blues Brothers: The Escape Of Joliet Jake as well as the Dan Akyroyd-signed, limited Platinum Editions, which include the oversized hardcover with slipcase, the exclusive vinyl, a Blues Brothers engraved harmonica, and Jake and Elwood Blues collector cards on Z2Comics.com. Both the Deluxe and Platinum Editions feature a new cover and slipcase with exclusive art by Felipe Sobreiro. All Hardcover, Deluxe and Platinum Editions will proudly ship to fans in advance of the October 7th in-store retail date.

Standard editions of The Blues Brothers: The Escape Of Joliet Jake are available for pre-order Z2Comics.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, UltimateClassicRock.com as well as independent book, comic, and record stores.

The Blues Brothers return with The Escape of Joliet Jake

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​The beloved Blues Brothers universe will come roaring back to life over the next few years with forays into television, film, live events, music, and much more with the first IP offering being a brand new original Graphic Novel: The Blues Brothers: Escape of Joliet Jake.​ Written by Stella Aykroyd, Luke Pisano, and James Werner with artist Felipe Sobriero, The Blues Brothers: Escape of Joliet Jake is both a love letter and sequel to the original Blues Brothers film. With editorial oversight by Dan Aykroyd, the utmost care has been taken to ensure this new chapter is true to the classic skits, legendary film, and iconic albums. The result is a wild and entertaining ride for both the longtime fans, and those new to the world of Jake and Elwood Blues. This project was originally conceived with the architect of The Blues Brothers, Judy Belushi Pisano, who sadly passed away during this book’s production.

The Blues Brothers: Escape of Joliet Jake will be available for pre-order via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, as well as many other fine independent book, comic, and record stores.

The Blues Brothers: Escape of Joliet Jake

Kool Keith and Z2 takes us on a cosmic trip with The Krossover of the Flower Kosmic

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He is the hip-hop legend with a million monikers. Now Kool Keith rallies his myriad personas together for the first time in The Krossover of the Flower Kosmic, an original graphic novel. Strap in for a universe-hopping journey as Keith uses the Flower Kosmic to unite the legendary alternate incarnations of himself to defeat the sole incarnation that threatens the very fabric of reality, GERBIK!  Written by Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan of CZARFACE and illustrated by Sean Von Gorman of ​comics, this book includes Dr. Octagon, Dr. Dooom, Black Elvis and many more Keiths in an adventure that brings the surreal and eccentric nature of Kool Keith to psychedelic life on every page! “This book ain’t just stories” shares KOOL KEITH​ “it’s bars in motion. Flipped like a verse… sharks, gators, chaos — all facts.” 

The 100 page oversized 12”x12” book comes in a slipcased Deluxe Edition as well as a limited and signed Platinum Edition, which comes with art prints, a collector card, and an exclusive colorway of Kool Keith and Esoteric’s STRESS EATER vinyl. Deluxe and platinum editions are available exclusively at Z2’s website HERE, while a standard 9”x9” edition is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, as well as other independent retailers and fine comic shops worldwide.

Z2 and Cypress Hill team for Cypress Hill: Black Sunday

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As part of the ongoing celebration of Cypress Hill’s seminal and groundbreaking album, Black Sunday, Z2 has announced Cypress Hill: Black Sunday, a graphic novel that commemorates the era and impact of the album and the band. Developed with the band, writers Noah Callahan-Bever and Gabriel Alvarez take you on a narrative journey through the making of the album as the artwork of Ken Knudsten, Sebastian Piriz, Giorgio Pontrelli, Felix Ruiz, and Guillermo Sanno immerses you deep in the vibe and historic cultural events that surrounded Cypress Hill as they brought Black Sunday to life. With a new cover by the designer of the original album cover, Jay Papke, and a new interview with Cypress Hill as they look back on the album that made them superstars, this is a tribute that is truly Insane in the Brain!

Another aspect of the ongoing celebration is the exclusive vinyl included with the Platinum Editions. What began as a joke on a 1996 episode of The Simpsons has now become a true multi-cultural milestone. Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra: Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall, captured as a feature-length concert film, will be in cinemas for a special theatrical event March 30, 31 and April 2. Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra: Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall, the full length live album, will be released June 6 via Mercury. Only 500 copies of this historic concert will only be available in exclusive GREEN VINYL to preorder on Z2comics.com in the Platinum Singed Bundle.

Available for pre-order, with a retail release date of June 3rd, 2025, the Black Sunday follows Z2’s acclaimed and best-selling first Cypress Hill collaboration, Tres Equis, charting the path taken by the band, and the battles fought, as they rose to the challenge of delivering a sophomore album that would outshine their powerful debut release. The entire book is set against the backdrop of the L.A Riots, Lollapalooza and touring with their friends— the Beastie Boys. The Black Sunday graphic novel also includes an extensive interview with album designer Jay Papke, taking fans behind the scenes to show the elaborate process that went into the creation of one of the most recognizable album covers in music. The book also contains a brand new interview with B-Real​Sen Dog and Eric Bobo as they reflect back on the album, graphic novel and their lasting legacy.

The oversized Deluxe edition with slipcase and the limited, signed platinum edition that comes with a Hydro74 Holographic Collector’s Card will only be available directly from Z2 at Z2Comics.com, while a standard softcover edition without slipcase will be available via Z2’s global book distribution partner Simon & Schuster (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, and Indigo) as well as other independent comic and music shops worldwide via Diamond, Lunar, and Alliance Distribution.

Preorder your Deluxe and Signed Platinum edition copies today. Shipping for these tiers begins in September!

Cypress Hill: Black Sunday

NCT 127 Reveals the NINE Variant Covers for Limitless

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Z2 Comics, SM Entertainment, and Universal Music Group present Limitless, the new graphic novel from K-Pop megastars NCT 127, and the very first officially licensed K-Pop print graphic novel. The comic introduces a brand new fictional chapter into the lives of all nine members of the global phenomenon. Limitless is available in standard hardcover and deluxe hardcover editions, set to release in summer 2024. The graphic novel is co-written by Reiko Scott with art by Ziyan Qiu and Ana Jimenez. Kayla Felty and colorist Megan Huang are the cover artists. The standard hardcover will come with nine variant covers, each featuring members of NCT 127. The deluxe hardcover will come with nine art prints illustrated by Kayla Felty and a certificate of authenticity.

Presented in the manhwa (South Korean comic) format, Limitless follows NCT 127 in the midst of their world tour, as the group rehearses for its biggest performance in America to date: a sold-out stadium show in New York City. The night before the concert, however, the group encounters mysterious dreams, putting Mar, Johnny, Taeyong, Jungwoo, and Doyoung in otherworldly scenarios. This ultimately creates a reality-crossing mystery that the five—alongside Taeil, Yuta, Jaehyun, and Haechan—will unite to solve. As NCT 127 grapples with this enigma, they must overcome their fear in both the real world and this new, surreal dreamscape. 

Z2 Celebrate Motörhead’s 50th Anniversary with NO REMORSE: The Illustrated True Stories of Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead

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 In celebration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the legendary Motörhead, Z2 has gathered a staggering line-up of icons to narrate their personal encounters with the man that came to define the sex, drugs, and Rock & Roll lifestyle, Lemmy Kilmister. NO REMORSE: The Illustrated True Stories of Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead kicks off this 176-page tribute with a deeply personal foreword by his dear friend Dave Grohl and a truly touching afterword by his longtime friend and collaborator Ozzy Osbourne. 

The book pairs 25 rockstar contributors with 25 acclaimed illustrators to tell the stories of their true and unbelievable personal encounters with the heralded founding father of Motörhead. Recounting their history with Lemmy over the span of his life and career are some of the greatest living musicians – Ozzy Osbourne, Lars Ulrich, Slash, Chrissie Hynde, Dee Snider, Dave Navarro, plus world-class writers Neil Gaiman, Michael Moorcock, pro-wrestling giants Triple H, Corey Graves, TV & Film luminaries including Matt Pinfield, Penelope Spheeris, Riki Rachtman, as well as his bandmates Phil Campbell, Mikkey Dee, and Slim Jim Phantom.

With a gorgeous variety of visual approaches the artists of NO REMORSE: The Illustrated True Stories of Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead; including Dave Chisholm, Bob Fingerman, Jay Jay Jackson, and Jim Mahfood capture the many facets of these incredible TRUE TALES of Lemmy Kilmister. The cover art is illustrated and designed by comic book legend Tim Bradstreet and features the gleam of a holographic coating on Lemmy’s classic aviator specs!

Like all Z2 collaborations, this book comes in a variety of highly-collectible editions, including the 1:5 “All-Access” Edition which features a framed AAA Artist Pass from Lemmy’s 70th birthday party at the Whisky A Go-Go; and the 1:25 “Backstage” Edition that comes with a framed original 2012-2013 Motörhead tour laminate. All of these artifacts are from the personal collection of Lemmy Kilmister. The “No Remorse” editions of the book will come with an exclusive white vinyl variant of the legendary Motörhead double LP, No Remorse, a poster triptych set by renowned designer Hydro74, and a three-card collectors set presented in a custom frame featuring the art of the iconic thrash-metal painter Ed Repka.

All collector editions will include the oversized deluxe volume of the NO REMORSE: The Illustrated True Stories of Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead book contained in a metallic foil embossed slipcase, with die cuts that reveal the holographic coating on Lemmy’s classic aviator specs on the cover of the book. All editions available for preorder.

Z2 at WonderCon: Legendary Bruce Dickinson Panel Discussion!

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Legendary Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is set for his first appearance at a US Comic Convention next week at WonderCon for a panel discussion on his debut comic book series, Bruce Dickinson’s The Mandrake Project!

Be sure to visit the Z2 Comics booth (#1500) and get your hands on a few graphic novels!

In Conversation with Bruce Dickinson: The Mandrake Project

Saturday, March 30, 2024
5:00pm – 6:00pm PDT – Room 300E

For the last decade, Bruce Dickinson, the iconic frontman of Iron Maiden, has been developing the story of The Mandrake Project, his saga about the century-long battle for the human control of immortality. Coinciding with the release of the second issue in the series and his solo album of the same name, Bruce is joined by Bill Sienkiewicz (Eisner Award–winning comic artist), Rantz Hoseley (Eisner Award–winning editor), Josh Bernstein (Ringo Award–winning editor), and moderator Ryan J. Downey (MTV News) to talk about the creation of this exciting quarterly series.

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