Tag Archives: chuck d

Preview: Punk Taco Adventures! Vol. 1

Posted on by

Punk Taco Adventures! Vol. 1

(W/A) Adam, Makana, and Keola Wallenta

Punk Taco and his band of misfits, rock out across the universe, spreading peace and love through music, while helping those in need, making friends and always trying to do the right thing against impossible odds. For fans of InvestiGATORS and Hilda.

PUNK TACO is a loveable space-taco who rocks out across the universe with his band, spreading peace and love through music. Along the way, they seem to always get into a bit of trouble while helping those in need and doing the right thing against impossible odds. In this brand-new collection of stories, PUNK TACO and the band will do battle against the evil King Boogar, to help reunite their new friend, Philip, with his family, while discovering the mysterious, magical powers of the Evocaja. PLUS two bonus stories that have PUNK TACO experiencing big feelings and sharing his love for art with his friend, Bash. Featuring art by Makana Wallenta, Scott Chantler, Rich Koslowski, DJ JS-1, Chuck D (Public Enemy), Mike Cavallaro, Art Baltazar, Frano and more!

Punk Taco Adventures! Vol. 1

Iron Maiden and Z2 Join forces to celebrate the album Piece of Mind

Posted on by

40 years have passed since the release of Iron Maiden’s groundbreaking fourth studio album, Piece of Mind. Released in 1983, Piece Of Mind was the band’s first album to enter the U.S. Billboard Top 20, peaking at #14, achieving RIAA platinum certification in the U.S. More than an album, it was a thunderous statement of intent by a band whose meteoric rise from the East End of London would thrust them into the realms of legend. This fall the metal pioneers have partnered with Z2, the award-winning publisher, to bring the multi-platinum album Piece of Mind to book form. Available Tuesday, November 21, Iron Maiden: Piece Of Mind, is a stunning love letter to fans from one of the most celebrated metal bands in music history. Opening with an introduction titled “Piece of Mind at 40” by ever-present manager Rod Smallwood, this commemorative book is packed with comics, art, and testimonials from acclaimed writers, artists, actors and musicians, as a powerful celebration of the living legend that is Iron Maiden.

A jaw-dropping work that pushes the boundaries of print production and presentation, The Oversized Deluxe and Asylum Editions of Iron Maiden: Piece Of Mind are encased in an asylum clamshell with locking mechanism. Maiden’s iconic mascot Eddie growls and snarls from behind the die-cut bars on the asylum doors, but the sliding bolt is designed to keep him safely confined! However, when the reader dares to unlock the book, they will be delighted as Eddie breaks free of his chains and straitjacket!

Assembling an all-star team to create new interpretations of the most important metal album in music, Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind features original stories for each of the nine album tracks including Where Eagles Dare – written by Steven Grant illustrated by Carson Thorn, Revelations – fittingly crafted by Bruce Dickinson with Tony Lee and illustrated by Damien Worm; (“Revelations” being the first track in Maiden history to be solely-credited to Dickinson), Flight of Icarus by Eisner nominee Ivan Brandon illustrated by Francesco Dossena, Die With Your Boots On by Emmy-winning director and screenwriter Sacha Gervasi with art by Christian Rosado, The Trooper by Antony Johnston illustrated by Staz Johnson, Still Life by Leah Moore and John Reppion painted by John Pearson, Quest for Fire from metal authority Brian Posehn with art by Michael Avon Oeming, Sun and Steel by multiple World Fantasy Award-nominee Chris Roberson with art by Danijel Žeželj, and To Tame a Land, written and illustrated by Alison Sampson. In addition, between each story, the book is packed with original pieces of art by acclaimed illustrators, including Montos, Ghoulish Gary, Steve Chanks, Jan Meininghaus, Kyle Hotz, Jay Geldhof, Darin Hazmat, Travis Knight, Akirant and Nat Jones.

The impact of Piece of Mind and Iron Maiden across the creative community is reflected by the star-studded testimonials contained within, including Simon Gallup, AEW legend Chris Jericho, MMA Superstar Josh Barnett, multiple Grammy-nominee and Lifetime Achievement Award-honoree Chuck D, Grammy-winning director Jonas Akerlund, and multiple Grammy-nominee Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian.

With Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind, collectors will have five variants available to purchase, including: The Trooper cover by multiple Eisner-nominee J.G. Jones, Asylum Edition with cover by multiple Society of Illustrators-winner Jason Edmiston, Die With Your Boots On cover by UK Iron Maiden illustrator Dan Mumford, and The Flight of the Icarus cover by Eisner-nominee Martin Simmonds with an additional The Trooper Cutaway cover by famed poster artist Travis Knight.

Z2 present multiple collector editions of Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind – perfect for the diehard fan’s bookshelf:

  • The standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by Dan Mumford ($40.00).
  • The FLIGHT OF ICARUS Edition featuring the standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by Martin Simmonds – limited to only 3,000 copies and exclusive to Independent Comic Shops ($40.00).
  • THE TROOPER Edition featuring the standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by J.G. Jones – limited to 500 copies and exclusive to Project M/Revolver Magazine ($40.00).
  • THE TROOPER Cutaway Edition featuring the standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by Travis Knight – limited to 666 copies and exclusive to Rockabilia.com ($40.00).
  • THE TROOPER Foil Card in sealed Collector’s Case, art by Travis Knight – limited to 666 cards ($35.00).
  • DELUXE Edition including the oversized graphic novel (HC) w/bonus pages and a POP-UP insert featuring cover art by Jason Edmiston encased in the Piece of Mind Asylum Clamshell box with locking Cell Door Action and three (3) Piece of Mind Art Prints Triptych set by Hydro 74, ($150.00) – website only.
  • And for the true collector, Z2 offers THE ASYLUM Edition which includes the oversized graphic novel w/bonus pages and a POP-UP insert featuring cover art by Jason Edmiston, encased in the Piece of Mind Asylum Clamshell box with locking Cell Door Action, three (3) Piece of Mind Art Prints Triptych set by Hydro 74, one (1) 1983 Piece of Mind replica concert ticket, one (1) Die With Your Boots On Art Print, signed and numbered by Dan Mumford (only available to the first 500 orders), four (4) Iron Maiden Collectors Cards in a display case featuring the works of Dan Mumford, Jason Edmiston, J.G. Jones, and Martin Simmonds ($300.00). Additionally, The Asylum Edition includes one (1) Eddie Asylum Model Kit, which will be shipped separately. 

Around the Tubes

Posted on by

It’s new comic book day! What are you all excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below. While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and a review from around the web.

Book Riot – 9 Great Graphic Novels for Preteens – What would you include?

ICv2 – New Graphic Novel from Public Enemy’s Chuck D – Sounds very interesting.

ICv2 – Startup Digital Comics Platforms Aim to Get the Market Moving Again – Is there a digital ceiling?

Review

Comic Book – Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #1

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #1

Black Mask Studios’ Rogue State gets a variant cover by Chuck D of Public Enemy

Posted on by

What if a contested Presidential election plunged America into turmoil? What if political violence consumed the streets? And what if a raging Supreme Court, in a strict interpretation of the Second Amendment, legitimized and deputized all militias—transforming the entire country into a paramilitary police state? What if a freedom fighter emerged from the chaos, raised a civilian army, and carved out a territory across the United States–pushing out police, militias, and National Guard… enforcing its own laws… sovereign. What if Americans refused to be governed?

This is the world of Rogue State, the new ongoing graphic novel series that marks writer Matteo Pizzolo’s return to comics for his first new series since 2017’s acclaimed CalEXIT, reuniting with artist C. Granda and CalEXIT cover artists Soo Lee and Ashley A Woods. Rogue State will launch with a special variant cover drawn by hip hop legend and higher thought leader Chuck D of Public Enemy. Together, Pizzolo and Granda have created a timely title about rebelling against tyranny, reconquering stolen land, punching fascists in the face, and building a better nation.

In addition to appearing as a cover, Chuck D’s illustration will also be inside the book itself as a street-art mural, in an homage to the Mission District’s history of socially-engaged public art.

In Rogue State, a crew of young vigilantes will rise against a paramilitary police state robbing Americans of their rights. The ongoing series tells the story of Vya of Brightstars, a mysterious figure rising from the unrest, and Clara Cruz (aka Dust Girl), who becomes activated in Vya’s movement when her fiancée Taylor Sanchez is disappeared as militias take over their Mission District neighborhood. But are Vya and Dust Girl freedom fighters or terrorists? Either way, their rogue state will not just blaze a path across America, it will also inspire others to raise their own armies… some in solidarity, others in opposition. 

The first issue of Rogue State will be available from Black Mask Studios on November 9, with a special variant pulled directly out of the pages of the comic and drawn by Chuck D himself exclusively from your favorite comic book shop in extremely limited quantities. Retailers, consult your Diamond rep to find out how to order ahead of the book’s Final Order Cutoff on October 17.

Rogue State Chuck D

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

Posted on by

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!

NYCC 2021: Z2 Comics Reveals Exclusive Prints, Madballs, and More!

Posted on by

Z2 Comics is making noise going into this year’s New York Comic Con and is featuring a slew of items for fans to pick up exclusively at the show! In partnership with American Musical Supply, fans will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet some of the biggest names behind Z2’s 2021 publishing lineup and supported by exclusive items available only at the convention, while supplies last!

Available for $30, Z2 will offer exclusive limited edition prints featuring Anthrax and Public Enemy as well as a special NYCC Z2 Comics print from Vasilis Lolos.

Anthrax and Public Enemy print

Two special CZARFACE exclusive prints from David Mack and Andres Esparza will be available for the same price, and each limited to 200. 

Finally, Z2 is proud to offer an additional print featuring art by Chuck D himself, immortalizing his legendary collaboration of “Bring the Noise” with Anthrax, limited to 200 and all only available at booth #3100! All prints will retail on site for $35 each.

Chuck D print

Additionally, Z2 will offer two special vinyl picture discs previously only available as part of super deluxe bundles. Fans can grab Anthrax’s classic 1987 album Among the Living with cover art by JG Jones and featuring Greg Nicotero’s original zombie “Not Man” design, or Dio’s 1983 landmark album Holy Diver, with exclusive art by Becky Cloonan, each retailing for $30.

Finally, Z2 will for the first time offer the Anthrax zombie “Not Man” Madball, as designed by special effects legend Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead), previously only available as part of the strictly limited super deluxe edition of the Anthrax Among the Living graphic novel, in EXTREMELY LIMITED quantities for $25, with a limit of one per customer per day.

Z2’s full NYCC schedule of events is below:
11 am -12 pm: Chris Miskiewicz (Grateful Dead: Origins, This is Where We Fall)
1-2 pm: Mikey Way and Shaun Simon (Electric Century)
3:30 pm: Z2 Comics Presents: The Graphic Album w/Mikey Way, Spencer Charnas and more! (Room 1A21)
5-6 pm: Spencer Charnas (Ice Nine Kills: Inked in Blood)
6-7 pm: Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan of CZARFACE, and David Mack
 
12-1 pm: Chuck D of Public Enemy (Apocalypse 91: The Revolution Never Sleeps)
1-2 pm: Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan of CZARFACE
2-3 pm: Joey Belladonna, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, Jon Donais, and Scott Ian of Anthrax
3:30 pm: Z2 Comics Presents: Bring the Noise w/Chuck D and Anthrax (Room 1A21)
6pm: Chuck D & Anthrax

NYCC 2021: Z2 Comics Announces Signings and Events

Posted on by
Z2 Comics

Z2 Comics is heading to New York Comic-Con 2021 to debut and announce future projects throughout the weekend! In partnership with American Music Supply, fans will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet some of the biggest names behind Z2’s 2021 publishing slate including a special appearance by originators of rap and rock’s crossover, Chuck D of Public Enemy and all five members of Anthrax!

First up on Friday at 1-2 pm, My Chemical Romance and Electric Century’s Mikey Way will sign advance copies of his upcoming graphic album Electric Century with co-writer Shaun Simon!

After that at 3:30 pm, fans can catch all of the day’s signers in room 1A21 for the Z2 Comics panel!

This past year, Z2 Comics published graphic novel tie-ins Ice Nine Kills’ fan favorite album The Silver Scream, as well as all-new immersive experiences meant to be consumed together, with Mikey Way’s Electric Century and the 2022 release of Graham Coxon’s Superstate. We invite you to an exclusive discussion around how these and other artists are redefining art and music in tandem with an entirely new format and experience. Join Z2’s Jeremy Atkins in discussion with Mikey Way and Shaun Simon, Ice Nine Kills frontman Spencer Charnas, Esoteric of CZARFACE for this once in a lifetime panel bringing together the biggest names in hip hop, rock and beyond!

Following the panel, catch Ice Nine Kills’ Spencer Charnas back at the Z2 booth from 5-6 pm, followed immediately afterward by Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan of CZARFACE and superstar comic book artist David Mack, signing an exclusive print to be revealed ahead of the show!

Full day’s schedule is below:
1-2 pm: Mikey Way and Shaun Simon (Electric Century)
3:30 pm: Z2 Comics Presents: The Graphic Album w/Mikey Way, Spencer Charnas and more! (Room 1A21)
5-6 pm: Spencer Charnas (Ice Nine Kills: Inked in Blood)
6-7 pm: Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan of CZARFACE, and David Mack

Saturday will continue a star-studded lineup with the addition of the one and only Chuck D of Public Enemy, and Joey Belladonna, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, Jon Donais, and Scott Ian of heavy metal legends Anthrax!

Chuck D leads off the day from 12 -1 pm with his first-ever appearance at New York Comic Con, in celebration of the impending release of the Z2 graphic novel Apocalypse 91: Revolution Never Sleeps, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the legendary album of the same name!

Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan of CZARFACE returns for his second appearance from 1-2 pm.

All five members of the Anthrax lineup contributing to the critically acclaimed Among the Living graphic novel will sign from 2-3 pm.

Following just after, Chuck D and Anthrax will take the stage together for the first time in over a decade in room 1A21 at a special panel presentation to celebrate 30 years since their landmark collaboration of “Bring the Noise!”

30 years after this landmark collaboration brought together the worlds of rock and rap music, Chuck D of Public Enemy and the entire Anthrax lineup find themselves reunited in an all-new medium, determined to make history again with the releases of their respective graphic novel debuts. Join Rolling Stone writer/editor Kory Grow, Chuck D, and all five members of Anthrax for what will surely be the can’t miss panel of the convention, with a look back at their musical collaboration, as well as insight into the creative process behind the Apocalypse 91 and Among the Living graphic novels.

At 6 pm, all five members of Anthrax and Chuck D will sign TOGETHER in the Z2 booth to close out the show!

Full schedule of events for Saturday can be found below:

12-1 pm: Chuck D of Public Enemy (Apocalypse 91: The Revolution Never Sleeps)
1-2 pm: Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan of CZARFACE
2-3 pm: Joey Belladonna, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, Jon Donais, and Scott Ian of Anthrax
3:30 pm: Z2 Comics Presents: Bring the Noise w/Chuck D and Anthrax (Room 1A21)
6pm: Chuck D & Anthrax

Without a doubt, this will be Z2’s biggest convention to date, with announcements of NYCC exclusive items yet to come in the days before the doors open to the convention hall!