Tag Archives: rantz hoseley

Ice-T, Arabian Prince, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Treach, and Z2 Comics Unite for New Gangster Graphic Novel, Death for Hire: The Origin of Tehk City

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Z2 Comics has announced Death for Hire: The Origin of Tehk City, a new hard-crime graphic novel prelude to a massive IP universe that will span animation, music, toys, NFTs, and beyond. Created by iconic musician and actor Ice-T, founding NWA member Arabian Prince, and Award-Winning artist Tommy The Animator, the graphic novel introduces a brutal ensemble of pushers and murderers in a world where the line between anti-hero and arch-villain blurs quickly. Death for Hire: The Origin of Tehk City is edited by Z2’s Rantz Hoseley, with Josh Bernstein of Z2 Comics and Shannon Eric Denton of Monster Forge Productions serving as executive producers. 

Within these pages, crooked Mayor Chuck Davis (Ice-T), his deadly female assassin Rhonda Knuckles (Coco), and right-hand-man Maniac Max (Treach) navigate the savage law of the street. With his hands busy in everything from money laundering to hired hits, Davis tries to stay one step ahead of the competition in the Round Table Gang—Benny Tang (Ben Baller), Azul Michoacan (Emilio Rivera), and Vinny “Pipes” Roselli (Jeffrey Peterson)—who have controlled the black market undercurrent of Tehk City for years. But information comes at a price, especially when purchased from Pretty Black (Snoop Dogg), whose black market network feeds him intelligence from the furthest reaches of Tehk City. Davis and his crew will soon learn that grabbing power from the top dog can take you sky high or drag you to the grave. 

A murderer’s row of rap luminaries and pop culture icons will serve as the likeness and voices within the upcoming Tehk City animated series. In addition to iconic producer Dr. Dre providing an original score for the animated series, each rap artist will write and perform a custom theme for their character. The following talent will be involved and voice a character in the animated series:  

  • Ice-T as Mayor Chuck Davis
  • Coco as Rhonda Knuckles
  • Snoop Dogg as Pretty Black
  • Tracy Morgan as Thirsty Mike
  • Busta Rhymes as Killa Whale
  • Mike Epps as Louiie
  • Treach as Maniac Maxx
  • Arabian Prince as Kenyatta Prince 
  • Peter Scanavino as Slimm Roselli 
  • Roxanne Shanté as Officer Petty
  • Ben Baller as Benny Tang
  • Styles P as Barkim
  • Tone Trump as Bones
  • Emilio Rivera as Azul Michoacan
  • Tommy The Animator as Tommy Chrome
  • Shannon Eric Denton as Dropout

Death for Hire: The Origin of Tehk City is created by Ice-T, Arabian Prince, and Tommy The Animator, with a script by Gary Phillips and illustrations by Montos.

Death for Hire: The Origin of Tehk City will be available in standard hardcover and deluxe hardcover editions. The deluxe hardcover will come with movie poster art prints and collector’s cards. Oversized platinum editions will come signed by Ice-T, Arabian Prince, and Tommy the Animator and come with an elegant slipcase, classic movie poster-style art prints, collector card packs, an ultra-rare Mayor Chuck Davis foil card, and the first-ever Tehk City NFT collection featuring a Chuck Davis NFT. Death for Hire: The Origin of Tehk City will release in summer 2023. 

Judas Priest Celebrates 40 Years of Screaming for Vengeance with a Graphic Novel

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Z2 Comics has announced that one of the biggest acts in the history of heavy music, Judas Priest, will team with the rapidly growing entertainment brand for an original graphic novel to be released in 2022, in time for the anniversary of their highest selling album of all time, the indisputable classic: Screaming for Vengeance.

Teaming with writers Rantz Hoseley and Neil Kleid, and artist Christopher Mitten, the multi-platinum selling Metal Gods bestow upon their generations of fans their first-ever graphic novel!

500 years from now, a ring of cities orbit high above the surface of a dead world, controlled by a ruling elite that maintains power through manipulation and brutality. When a naïve engineer inadvertently threatens the status quo with his vital scientific discovery… A BLOODSTONE… he is betrayed by those he trusted and cast out to the broken planet below.  In the wreckage and desolation of a broken world where every day is a battle for survival, he must choose between accepting his new life in exile…or SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE.

To further celebrate the creative legacy of this monumental album and landmark anniversary, the graphic novel includes an extensive interview with original cover artist Doug Johnson in which he discusses the process of creating the award-winning album cover design, and the origin of the metallic bird of prey, now known as “The Hellion.” Additionally, as part of the expansion of Z2’s product offerings, newly appointed Z2 Vice President of Collectibles and Aggronautix founder Clint Weiler has designed a detailed Hellion statue, with working “electric eyes” in celebration of both the original album design, and the dramatic conclusion of the story in the Screaming for Vengeance graphic novel

Judas Priest: Screaming for Vengeance will be released in both softcover and hardcover formats in finer bookstores, comic shops and record stores everywhere in July 2022, with special limited deluxe and super deluxe versions featuring an exclusive anniversary vinyl LP, prints and more available to preorder now exclusively through the Z2 website. 

Z2 Comics Adds 4 New Staff

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Z2 Comics

Just over a month before what will likely be the publisher’s biggest release to date with Grateful Dead: Origins, and trailing on the heels of the announcement of a partnership with Mikey Way’s Electric Century for their next album and original graphic novel, Z2 Comics announces the first wave of hires under a now proven business model.

Jeremy Atkins joins Z2 most recently from David Steward II’s Polarity family of brands, after three years of overseeing publicity efforts for Lion Forge Comics, positioning the company at the center of the conversation around diversity and representation in pop culture. Atkins will serve as the vice president of PR and marketing, driving brand awareness in traditional markets, as well as navigating an ever-changing media landscape across music, publishing, pop culture, and beyond.

Rantz Hoseley has long been finding a path forward for music-related graphic fiction, including the Eisner and Harvey-winning Comic Book Tattoo anthology, paying tribute to the songs of Tori Amos, and most recently working with Motley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx to adapt his memoir The Heroin Diaries at Heavy Metal, where he served as managing editor. Hoseley will serve as Z2’s senior editor, with projects to be announced in the coming months.

Anthony Lauletta comes to Z2 and the comic book industry most recently from Danny Wimmer Presents, the largest independent live events promoter in North America. While there, he served as the director of digital strategy, following successful stints at Alternative Press and Townsquare Media. Lauletta will serve as the publisher’s vice president of digital strategy, overseeing digital marketing efforts to drive brand awareness and direct-to-consumer sales through the Z2 website.

Dominique Roses begins her career at Z2 Comics after previously working with Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclair on the successful series Rocket Girl and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. She is a graduate of New York’s School of Visual Arts, with an MFA in creative writing from The New School. Roses joins as Z2’s marketing and production associate, working with the company’s executives to execute efforts across departments.

Around the Tubes

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Low Road West #5

It’s new comic book day tomorrow! What’s everyone excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below! While you ponder that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web.

Newsarama – Heavy Metal Managing Editor Rantz Hoseley Resigns – Good luck in your next endeavor.

Reviews

Newsarama – Aliens: Resistance #1
The Beat – Bloodshot: Rising Spirit #3
Talking Comic Books – Low Road West #5
The Beat – The Sea