Tag Archives: z2 comics

Z2 Comics at WonderCon: Cheech & Chong, Jose Mangin Take Anaheim This Weekend

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Z2 Comics WonderCon

This Saturday at WonderCon, comedy legends Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong will fire up the Anaheim Convention Center in an exclusive panel—Back in Smoke-50 Years of Cheech & Chong—hosted by SiriusXM Liquid Meta’s own Jose Mangin. The pair will give a preview of Cheech and Chong’s Chronicles: A Brief History of Weed, the 4/20-debuting graphic novel written by the duo alongside Eliot Rahal. A stoner epic in the making, the comic stars Cheech on Chong as they embark on a toking road trip venturing from California to Reno for a last-minute gig. But those 500 miles stretch into a journey that spans thousands of years as the pair fall into a psychedelic tour of weed appreciation through the ages. Magin will interview the icons about their storied careers, punctuated by this brand new blazing chapter of high art.  

On Friday, the Z2 Comics family will also host a panel offering attendees the chance to peek behind the curtain of crafting graphic novels with the biggest bands, musicians, and pop culture storytellers. Publisher Joshua Frankel will host the event including Senior Vice President Josh Bernstein, Senior Editor Rantz Hoseley, VP of Marketing Dominique Roses, Freelance Editor Heidi MacDonald, and writer Jim Krueger.

Z2 Comics’ full WonderCon 2022 Schedule below!   

Friday, 4/1/2022

Z2 Presents: The Graphic Album Panel
5:00PM – 6:00 PM, Room: North 200B

Music and comics have crossed over at multiple points in the history of graphic arts, but rarely has that collaboration been cemented in legacy. In recent years, one company has taken this idea and amplified it across genres and fanbases, creating a whole new fan experience to invite new faces through the doors of comic shops around the world. Join us for an exclusive conversation with the Z2 family to learn more about crafting comics you can hear. Featuring Z2 Comics’ Publisher Josh Frankel, Senior Vice President Josh Bernstein, Senior Editor Rantz Hoseley, VP of MarketingDominque Roses, Editor Heidi MacDonald, and writer Jim Krueger. 

Saturday, 4/2/2022

Cheech & Chong Signing
5:30 – 6:30 PM, Booth 1500
Z2 Comics Presents: Back in Smoke- 50 Years of Cheech & Chong Panel 
6:30PM – 7:30 PM, Room: North 200B

In celebration of the beloved comedy duo’s 50th year of performing together, Z2 Comics has worked with legendary comedians Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong on their first-ever graphic novel! Teaming these larger than life personas with the best of comics talent for a fun look back at how marijuana charted the course for the history we know, through the stories we didn’t. Join Cheech and Chong themselves for a look back through 50 years and beyond in a once in a lifetime program, hosted by SiriusXM Liquid Metal Host Jose Mangin!

Halestorm and Z2 Comics Unleash Hyde Manor, an Original Rock Graphic Novel

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This Halloween, Z2 Comics and Grammy-winning rock band Halestorm will transform the group’s barbed riffs and evocative narratives into sequential art for Hyde Manor, a harrowing descent into one woman’s fight with the darkest parts of herself. Twins Brittany and Brianna Winner, artist Sara Scalia, and colorist DJ Alonso weave a tale of the celebrated group as they seek refuge in the titular Hyde Manor—a sprawling gothic estate perched on the remote end of the Oregon Coast. 

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2012 EP Hello, It’s Mz Hyde and its ensuing LP, The Strange Case Of…, the new graphic novel depicts the members of Halestorm encountering sinister doppelgangers of themselves. Within the decrepit halls of Hyde Manor, mirror reflections independently talk back and photographs transform to reveal sordid prophecies, leading the band to slowly succumb to madness while recording a new album. The tale creaks and twists with doom-filled revelations, perfectly tied to Halestorm’s scorching discography. 

Hyde Manor will be available in both a softcover and hardcover format, as well as oversized hardcover deluxe, and an oversized hardcover deluxe edition. Alison Sampson provides cover art. Deluxe Editions include gallery-ready prints courtesy of fan artist Egidija Guobyte, as well as a Lzzy Hale/Ms. Hyde two-sided coin, Ms. Hyde special edition Collector’s Card in a plastic frame, and an exclusive Halestorm: Hyde Manor Deck of Cards. Preorder yours today!  

Emily Hampshire and Z2 Comics Conjure Whimsical New Graphic Novel, Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch

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Z2 Comics has announced Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch, the debut graphic novel from Schitt’s Creek, 12 Monkeys, and Chapelwaite actress Emily Hampshire. 

The book blends millennial homebody ennui with wand-waving delight in the story of Amelia, the least-favorite daughter of L.A.’s most famous family of witches—the Aierwoods (think the Kardashians of the witch world). She’s a so-so spellcaster who would rather eat Pop-Tarts while listening to murder podcasts than be a reality TV star.

Emily joins co-writer Eliot Rahal and artists Kristen Gudsnuk and Ames Liu for supernatural arrested development that combines medium magic and big heart.

While Amelia’s sisters have all followed in the footsteps of her prominent parents, everything she does is just a little…off-brand. A late bloomer who has yet to find her calling, Amelia uses her powers for mostly mundane things, but even those lead to magical misfires, e.g. the unfashionable witch’s hat that’s permanently stuck to her head.

As her family’s fame continues to rise, they have no choice but to exclude their bumbling black sheep daughter from the next great chapter of the Aierwoods: reality TV! With the help of her adopted brother Spaghetti—who she accidentally turned into a yeti… long story—Amelia must carve her own path outside of her family’s influence.

Inspired by the social distancing-fueled solitude of the past two years and filtered through Emily’s charming lyricism, Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch is a character-grounded tome of magical realism that could only be written in this day and age.

Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch is available in both softcover and hardcover formats, as well as oversized hardcover deluxe, and an oversized hardcover deluxe edition hand-signed by Emily Hampshire. Caitlin Rose Boyle and Ames Liu provide cover art. Deluxe editions including gallery-ready prints courtesy Kristen Gudsnuk, Cara McGee, and Dominique Roses, as well enamel pins and an Amelia Aierwood lunchbox with art from Fred Stressing.

Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witc

Spiritbox Unite with Z2 Comics for Eternal Blue: A Spiritbox

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Following their formation in 2017, Canadian quartet Spiritbox has continually possessed the charts with its dynamic blend of metal and block-leveling live shows. The group will now channel the story behind its 2021 debut LP, Eternal Blue in a new graphic novel co-created alongside veteran comic scribe Jim Krueger and artist Amilcar Pinna. The graphic novel unspools the eerie tale of Eva, a brilliant painter on the verge of unbelievable acclaim and success. But her inability to reconcile her public perception with her true self allows a Spiritbox—a device used to communicate with the dead—to transport her to an ethereal world. Here, she finds herself trapped in a realm where false shadows become real and dangerous.

Ushering the cursed device from the pages of Eternal Blue: A Spiritbox Graphic Novel to reality, deluxe versions of the book will include a fully functional Spiritbox replica. This machine cycles through the radio frequency spectrum, creating a web of white noise that lost souls harness to communicate from beyond the veil. This limited edition Spiritbox is a precise replica of the mysterious artifact that allows Eva to escape from the shadow world. When activated, the box gives off a blue glow as it emits the noises of the spirit world. From the top of the box, an image of Eva is projected onto the ceiling.

Z2 and Spiritbox present Eternal Blue: A Spiritbox Graphic Novel by writer Jim Krueger, artist Amilcar Pinna, and colorist Treonna Farrell in both softcover and hardcover formats, with covers courtesy Justin Cherry available in comic shops, as well as deluxe, super deluxe, and platinum editions packaged with a Spiritbox device, exclusive vinyl variant LP of Eternal Blue, gallery-ready prints by Jason Levesque, and more available exclusively through Z2’s webstore.

Pantera and Z2 Celebrate 30 Years of Vulgar Display of Power with a Graphic Novel

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Z2 Comics reaches “a new level” in 2022 with the release of an ambitious graphic anthology paying tribute to one of the biggest bands in the history of heavy metal, whose innovative fusion of groove and hardcore served as one of the defining sounds of the 1990s: Pantera! The Vulgar Display of Power graphic novel unites famous fans of the band throughout comics and music to team up on adaptations of all eleven of the album’s tracks.

Creators including Alan Robert, Eric Peterson, Keith Buckley, Burton C. Bell, Steve Niles, Tony Lee, and illustrators Brian Ewing, Ryan J. Downey, Erik Rodriguez, Ryan Kelly, Steve Chanks, Kevin Mellon, John Pearson, and Danijel Zezelj will each offer a unique interpretation inspired by the lyrics and music to create a whole new way to experience this landmark work of heavy art. 

Fronting this legacy of admiration and talent, legendary tattoo artist and friend of the band Paul Booth provides the stunning cover art, showing the grisly aftermath of the sucker-punch cover photo from the original album. 

Z2 and Pantera present Vulgar Display of Power in both softcover and hardcover formats, as well as deluxe, super deluxe, and platinum editions packaged with an exclusive vinyl variant LP of the classic album, gallery ready prints by Danijel Zezelj, Erik Rodriguez, and Alan Robert, signed editions from Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown, plus more available exclusively through Z2’s webstore! Also available in a limited and numbered edition will be a one-time release of a special Pantera “punch action” resin statue, paying tribute to the album’s iconic cover art.

Z2 and Gwar Team for a Graphic Novel and Album

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The comics universe’s favorite Scumdogs will return to the shelves of comic book shops and other such dens of villainy this May in their latest comics incarnation GWAR: The Duoverse of Absurdity! Following up on last year’s celebration of the band’s landmark album Scumdogs of the Universe, with essential anniversary editions and a star-studded tour, the near 40 year running Grammy nominated shock rock collective returns in an all-new comic book!

What can be more horrifying and terror-inducing than GWAR? The moment they must face the vomitous incarnations of themselves from a filthy alternate dimension! They’ve penetrated our world by rupturing the membrane which protected our very existence from these walking horrors. Unleashed in our universe, these dark mirror incarnations are bent on dominating and subjugating all of humanity to the will of The Master. Now… it is GWAR’s throbbing, messy duty to save us all before it’s too late!

GWAR: The Duoverse of Absurdity brings together writers Michael Derks and the Slave Pit’s own Matt Maguire with artists Andy MacDonald and Shane White will be released in multiple editions, with standard soft and hardcover graphic novels available from your favorite comic book, record shop, or bookstore, and exclusive limited editions available only through Z2 and GWAR’s websites, inclusive of gorgeously grotesque prints, vinyl and more. Additionally, Z2 will offer a 1 of 1 edition which will include the original “Beefcake the Mighty” helmet, a Schecter custom Balsac guitar, signed by Balsac the Jaws of Death, and an exclusive NFT of original sketch art by Sawborg Destructo, among other exclusive offerings as featured in the super deluxe tier!

All are available to preorder through the Z2 website now! 

Z2 Comics Celebrates 20 Years of Gorillaz with The Gorillaz Art Book with Jamie Hewlett

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The Gorillaz Art Book

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Gorillaz’ eponymous debut album, released in 2001, Gorillaz co-creator and acclaimed artist Jamie Hewlett has invited more than 40 creators to offer new interpretations of 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs in one expansive volume. The first ever Gorillaz Art Book debuts this coming Spring 2022, featuring brand new artwork by Jamie Hewlett and a host of guest contributions from friends and admirers of the band, case bound at 12.6 x 9.2 inches and set across 288 pages of luxury art paper.

Created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs, and Japanese guitar prodigy Noodle, Gorillaz were formed following a collision of mishaps, meetings and pure luck to blow up the real and digital worlds with their colorful backstory and ground-breaking virtual ways. Based at Kong Studios in West London, the band settled into a life of ongoing musical and artistic innovation with an eye-wateringly exciting roster of collaborators, a list that includes musical legends, geniuses, and future stars.

With this latest Z2 partnership, Hewlett is now expanding the band’s collaborative vision to fellow visual artists in The Gorillaz Art Book.

In addition to Hewlett, contributing artists include:

  • Ana Godis
  • Andre Carrilho
  • Andrew C. Robinson
  • Anna Cattish
  • Ben Bocquelet
  • Brendan McCarthy
  • Chloe Nicolay
  • Craig McCracken
  • Dana Terrace
  • Daniela Uhlig
  • Del the Funky Homosapien
  • EPHK
  • Erik Fountain
  • Glyn Dillon
  • Gregory Hergert
  • Holly Warburton
  • J.A.W. Cooper
  • Jack Black
  • Jared Cody Wolf
  • Jean-Baptiste Mondino
  • Jens Claessens
  • Jeremy Enecio
  • Kerbcrawlerghost
  • Kim Jung Gi
  • Laurie Vincent
  • Little Thunder
  • Marella Moon Albanese
  • Marianna Ignazzi
  • Miss Jisu
  • Nicolas Dehghani
  • Robert Smith
  • Robert Valley
  • Ruffmercy
  • Sainer
  • Tara Billinger
  • Taya Strizhakova
  • Tim McCourt & Max Taylor
  • Valeria Ko
  • Vanesa R. Del Rey
  • Venla Linna
  • Vincent Roucher
  • William Wray 
  • Zeen Chi 

The Gorillaz Art Book will be available this Spring 2022 from participating retailers and can be ordered directly from Z2.

Z2 Comics and RZA Announce Bobby Digital: In the Pit of Snake Graphic Novel

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Z2 Comics has announced the larger-than-life rapper, actor, and filmmaker RZA is the latest artist to bring his storytelling skills to the comics with the announcement of Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes, an original graphic novel to be released in 2022. 

The founding member of the multimedia supergroup The Wu-Tang Clan first introduced the world to his alter-ego with the 1998 album Bobby Digital in Stereo, with lush digital orchestral sounds and inventive beats, putting the rapper’s love of comic books on full display through its concept and execution. Now, exactly 23 years since its original release, RZA announces a partnership with Z2 Comics to give the character a story in the medium which inspired his creation!

Who are you, what is real? This is the question Bobby Digital is seeking to answer. Embracing his id, ego and superego he embarks on a quest to figure out the nature of his reality and himself. He will be ambushed by enemies unknown, he will be tried in ways most men can’t endure. Will he be victorious? Most of all, will he survive the Pit of Snakes?! From the mind of the legendary RZA, Bobby Digital and The Pit of Snakes will coincide with the relaunch of the iconic character and be synced to music that will melt your mind.

Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes pairs RZA with White Noise Studios member Ryan O’Sullivan, whose last collaboration with Poppy was widely celebrated by fans and critics alike, with Sound & Fury artist Vasilis Lolos rounding out the team to bring the world of Bobby Digital to life. The book will be release in both softcover and hardcover formats in finer bookstores, comic shops and record stores everywhere in June 2022, with special limited deluxe and super deluxe versions available to preorder now exclusively through the Z2 website. 

Bobby Digital: In the Pit of Snake

The Last Podcast on the Left Comes to Comics with THe Last Comic Book on the Left

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After producing nearly 500 full episodes exploring the darkest corners of humanity and supernatural dread, horror-comedy connoisseurs Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ben Kissel are ushering their Last Podcast on the Left into the strangest realm of all: comic books. The trio has partnered with Z2 Comics to release a new series of graphic novels, beginning with The Last Comic Book on the Left Vol. 1, debuting Spring 2022. 

The project will pay homage to the storied history of horror comics with a curated, interlocking anthology in the vein of Creepy, Eerie, Tales From the Crypt, and The Vault of Horror. Participating creators include the most innovative voices in the genre, including:

  • James Tynion IV (The Department of Truth, Something Is Killing the Children)
  • Rick Veitch (Swamp Thing, Miracleman)
  • Bob Fingerman (Minimum Wage, Beg the Question)
  • Tyler Boss (4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, What’s the Furthest Place From Here?)
  • Ryan Cady (Machine Gun Kelly’s Hotel Diablo, Sublime: $5 at the Door)
  • Eliot Rahal (Machine Gun Kelly’s Hotel Diablo, the upcoming Cheech and Chong’s Chronicles: The Graphic Novel)
  • Morgan Beem (Swamp Thing: Twin Branches, The Family Trade)
  • Noah Van Sciver (Grateful Dead Origins, the upcoming Cheech and Chong’s Chronicles: The Graphic Novel)
  • Logan Faerber

Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski will also contribute a story to the project, illustrated by legendary artist John McCrea (Hitman, The Boys: Herogasm). Eric Powell (The Goon, Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?), Martin Morazzo (Ice Cream Man, HAHA), and Bob Fingerman provide cover art. 

Further embracing the podcast’s marriage of the sinister and silly, deluxe editions of The Last Comic Book on the Left will also come bundled with a series of prints, revolving around suspiciously erotic cryptids and other spooky surrealism. Artists and subjects include: 

  • Ian McGinty, Detective Popcorn
  • Sean Von Gorman, The Jersey Devil
  • Noah Van Sciver, Bigfoot
  • Jenna Cha, Mothman
  • Norzine, Aum Shinrikyo
  • Martin Morazzo, John Wayne Gacy
  • Logan Faerber, Black Death
  • Courtney Menard, The Rendlesham Forest Incident

The Last Comic Book on the Left Vol. 1 will be available this Spring.

The Last Podcast on the Left

Z2 Comics’ Record Store Day and Local Comic Shop Day Releases!

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Z2 continues has revealed its first-ever participation in Record Store Day and Local Comic Shop Day with exclusive products for each!

First up, celebrate 40 years of two of the most iconic singles in rock history with this special one-time book and record set release! This exclusive-colored vinyl single includes rare versions featuring Pat Smear and the Sex Pistols alongside two comic book stories! This special RSD Black Friday package is released in conjunction with Z2 Comics’ complete graphic novel Joan Jett & the Blackhearts- 40 x 40: Bad Reputation/I Love Rock n’ Roll and is inspired by the classic “Read Along Book & Record Sets” also popular in 1981.

The full original graphic anthology pulls together a who’s who list of female creators from the comic book and pop culture worlds, including famed artist Tara McPherson to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 20 classic tracks featured on Joan’s landmark albums Bad Reputation and I Love Rock n’ Roll. 

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts- 40 x 40: Bad Reputation/I Love Rock n' Roll

Rap legend Chuck D makes his graphic novel debut for Local Comic Shop Day marking the 30th anniversary of the Grammy-nominated album Apocalypse 91: The Enemy Strikes Black. Upon release, the album hit #4 on the Billboard 200 chart and featured powerful anthems “Shut ‘Em Down,” “Can’t Truss It” and “By the Time I Get To Arizona,” a fiery retort to the state governor’s refusal to recognize the new Martin Luther King, Jr national holiday.  

Apocalypse 91: Revolution Never Sleeps 

Featuring an exclusive cover, painted by the legendary emcee himself, Apocalypse 91: Revolution Never Sleeps begins in 1991 and explodes into far-flung futures with a series of speculative fiction stories by the industry’s leading creators, including Evan Narcisse, Regine Sawyer, Che Grayson, Troy-Jeffrey Allen, and many more. Revolutionaries in every millennium stand up and fight the power.

The Joan Jett and the Blackhearts- 40×40: Read Along Book and Record Set is available only through participating record stores as part of Record Store Day Black Friday in a  strictly limited edition of only 1,981 copies on colored vinyl. Chuck D Presents- Apocalypse 91: Revolution Never Sleeps features an exclusive cover by Chuck D himself and is available through participating comic shops, in a one time limited edition of 2,000 copies!

As an added holiday shopping bonus, Z2 is offering the last remaining copies of the long sold-out Murder Ballads deluxe edition graphic novel and exclusive 10” vinyl soundtrack by Dan Auerbach and Robert Finley as co-released with Mondo, exclusively through the company’s website. 

Support your favorite local record store or comic book shop this week with exclusive releases from the publisher that has truly perfected the relationship between the two!

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