ryan dunlavey Archives - Graphic Policy

Tag Archives: ryan dunlavey

NYCC 2023: Z2 Rocks with Rock & Roll’s Heaviest Hitters

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Graphic Policy Team

Z2 is set to raise their fist in celebration of their music creators this October at New York Comic Con with plans to host multiple signings at their booth, debut new titles, and participate in panels.

Z2 Comics will invade New York Comic Con in October with an array of talent appearing in support of current and upcoming graphic novels. While days and times are yet to be finalized, among those confirmed includes Halestorm, GWAR, Alan Robert of Life Of Agony, and Dee Snider of the legendary Twisted Sister.

The entire band of Halestorm, including Lzzy Hale, will appear at NYCC 2023 in support of their graphic novel entitled Hyde Manor released in late August 2023. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2012 EP Hello, It’s Mz Hyde and its ensuing LP, The Strange Case Of…, the Hyde Manor 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. Twins Brittany and Brianna Winner (the Twin Soul series), artist Sara Scalia, cover artist Alison Sampson, 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.

GWAR will also be attending NYCC to promote In the Duoverse Of Absurdity released earlier this year. The story follows the band into the multiverse where they encounter alternate versions of themselves from another dimension, forcing GWAR to defend their universe from the intruders. If unleashed upon the universe, these dark mirror incarnations would dominate and subjugate all of humanity to the will of The Master. In the Duoverse Of Absurdity is co-written by GWAR rhythm guitarist Michael Derks and singer Matt Maguire, with art by Andy MacDonald (2020 Machine Man) and Shane White (Negative Burn).

The legendary Twisted Sister frontman, Dee Snider will be on hand to support He’s Not Gonna Take It set to be released in late November. This new graphic novel will follow the impact of Dee’s battle for freedom of expression in the arts throughout his life. From a childhood where he was frequently silenced, through the early efforts to stifle his band’s music, to the open warfare of the PMRC hearings in Washington DC, and his current efforts on social media. He’s Not Gonna Take It tells the story of why free speech is so important to this man who has fought for it…even when it endangered everything that was important to him.

Comic creator and bassist for the heavy metal band Life of Agony, Alan Robert will be signing copies of his just released Pantera: Vulgar Display of Power graphic novel exclusive cover at the Z2 booth. He’s created popular graphic novels such as Wire Hangers, Crawl to Me, and Killogy, as well as a horror-themed adult coloring book series called The Beauty of Horror.

Finally, on Sunday, over a dozen contributors of the 2023 Eisner-winning and 2023 Ringo-winning The Illustrated Al, will be in attendance at the Z2 booth signing the “Weird Al” Yankovic art book for fans for the first time ever. Guests include Billy Plympton, Steve Chanks, Ryan Dunlavey, Patrick McQuade, Sean Pryor, and project editor, Josh Bernstein.

GWAR: In the Duoverse of Absurdity is now available as a Deluxe Edition for a list price of $99.99 (includes Deluxe Edition Graphic Novel Oversized HC with Slipcase, an audio version of the book as read by members of the band, and an exclusive vinyl variant of The New Dark Ages LP in color variant Sunbolt with art by Alex Horley), hardcover for a list price of $29.99, and paperback for a list price of $24.99 (ISBN: 978-1-94087-8-799) – available at retailers everywhere now. Link to order.

DEE SNIDER: He’s Not Gonna Take It will be available as a Deluxe Edition for a list price of $99.99 (includes Deluxe Edition Graphic Novel Oversized HC with Slipcase, Signed by Dee Snider, Commemorative Coin, and three Retro Dee Snider Commemorative Art Prints), hardcover for a list price of $29.99, and paperback for a list price of $24.99 (ISBN: 979-8-88656-030-5) – available at retailers everywhere on November 21, 2023. Preorder link.

HALESTORM: Hyde Manor is now available as a Deluxe Edition Oversized Hardcover (includes Graphic Novel Slipcase, Lzzy Hale / Ms. Hyde two-sided coin, Lzzy Hale / Ms. Hyde Collector’s Card in plastic frame, 3-Piece Exclusive Art Print Set – limited run of 999) for a list price of $99.99, Super Deluxe Edition (includes Oversized Hardcover Hand-Signed by the members of Halestorm, Graphic Novel Slipcase, Lzzy Hale / Ms. Hyde two-sided coin, Lzzy Hale / Ms. Hyde Collector’s Card in plastic frame, exclusive Halestorm Deck of Cards, 3-piece exclusive Art Print Set – limited run of 500) for a list price of $199.99, hardcover for a list price of $29.99, and paperback for a list price of $24.99 (ISBN: 978-1-95492-853-4) – available at retailers everywhere now. Link to order.

The Illustrated Al: The Songs of “Weird Al” Yankovic is now available as a Deluxe Edition Oversized Hardcover (includes Graphic Novel Slipcase by Josh Bernstein, 3-piece Art Print Set by Jesse Phillips, and “Weird Al” Yankovic wax pack of Al’s collector’s cards by Danny Hellman – limited run of 1999) for a list price of $99.99, and hardcover for a list price of $29.99 (ISBN: 978-1-95492-864-0) – available at retailers everywhere now. Link to order.

PANTERA: Vulgar Display of Power is now available as a Deluxe Edition Oversized Hardcover (includes Graphic Novel Slipcase, Limited Edition Vinyl LP in ‘Blood Splatter’ with Sleeve Artwork Inspired by the Paul Booth Graphic Novel Cover Artwork, and 3-piece Art Print Set by Erik Rodriguez, Danijel Zezelj and Alan Robert – limited run of 1999) for a list price of $99.99, Platinum Edition (includes Oversized Hardcover Hand-Signed by the members of Pantera, Graphic Novel Slipcase, Limited Edition Vinyl LP in ‘Blood Splatter’ with Sleeve Artwork Inspired by the Paul Booth Graphic Novel Cover Artwork, and 3-piece Art Print Set by Erik Rodriguez, Danijel Zezelj and Alan Robert, Punch-Action Pantera Resin Statue, and Pantera Sticker Set – limited run of 500) for a list price of $199.99, hardcover for a list price of $29.99 (ISBN: 978-1-95492-857-2) – available at retailers everywhere now. Link to order.

Conventions

The Illustrated Al: The Songs of “Weird Al” Yankovic is a celebration of Weird Al

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Brett

Five-time Grammy Award-winner and legendary musical satirist “Weird Al” Yankovic has written ALL of the greatest songs of both the 20th and 21st centuries. Z2 has gathered some of the top cartoonists to express Al’s “Yankovisions” visually within this book’s pages. The great Al-merican songbook features 20+ classic songs interpreted by a group of amazing artists.

Creators:

Hilary Barta, Jim Wiz, Wes Wong, Rick Parker
Mark Fredericksom
Bob Fingerman
Peter Bagge
Jay Jay Jackson
Bill Plympton
Wes Hargis
Craig Rousseau
Aaron Augenblick
Brent Engstrom

Steve Chanks, Claudia Chanks
Tim Leong
Chris Visions, Nathan Kempf
PJ McQuade
Ruben Volling
Gideon Kendall
Ryan Dunlavey, Adam Guzowski
Brian McFadden
Johnny Sampson
Gary Pullin

Kelly Phillips
Fred Harper, Nathan Kempf
Jeff McClelland, Jeff McComsey, Mark Welser
Jan Meininghaus
Sean Pryor
R. Sikoryak
Mike Kupperman
Felipe Sobreiro, Nathan Kempf
Drew Friedman, Mike Allred, Laura Allred, Jesse Philips, Danny Hellman

Get your copy in comic shops! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Z2 Comics
Bookshop
Amazon

Z2 Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site

Underrated: The Comic Book History Of Comics: Birth Of A Medium

Posted on January 21, 2023 by Alex K Cossa

This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: The Comic Book History Of Comics: Birth Of A Medium.

There are numerous books on the history of comics, some of which sit partially read on my shelf, but there are very few comics or graphic novels about the history of comics. Enter Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey’s Comic Book History Of Comics. It is exactly what it says; a history of comics told in comic book form. But it’s more than just a history of comics, it also attempts to show the evolution of art into the sequential art we know today as comics; to show the differentiation from cartoons to comics. Originally published by IDW as a six issue miniseries, I picked up the collected edition a few months ago

: The legal jargon within the first few pages is all done in comic form. Because why not?

: An early example of art as a story telling method, and one that shows how long humanity has been telling stories with art.

and only finally read it this week.

Frankly, I was astounded that it had taken me this long to read it, and little surprised that fewer people were talking about the project. After all, what better way to tell the early history of comics than in comic form? It almost makes you wonder why it hasn’t been done before.

The Comic Book History Of Comics: Birth Of A Medium packs a LOT of information into its 150 odd pages, but it isn’t a definitive history. How could it be with only 150 some pages of sequential art? But it is a fantastic introduction to some of the medium’s more architectural sons and, to a lesser extent daughters (but that’s an issue with the book and the industry itself – Van Lente and Dunlavey do include sections entitled The Comic Book Herstory… but one gets the sense that these are far less prominent than perhaps they should be). That being said, this is a fun way to learn about the history of comics if you’re unfamiliar, and even if you think you have a good handle on things, I’d put money on Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey having unearthed something that you were previously unfamiliar with.

There’s a ton of information packed within these pages, but never once does the delivery feel stagnant or anything less than thoroughly entertaining. There are visual puns amidst the art, examples of Dunlavey literally showing you what Van Lente is talking about in terms of panel usage, and some wonderful caricatures of historical figures. I paid $24 for this book (I’m in Canada), and it was worth every penny and then some. Ultimately, this is a brilliant addition to my bookshelf, and one I will revisit more often than not.

I can wait to get the next volume.

Join us next week when we look at something else that is, for whatever reason, Underrated.

Growing Up Farley chronicles Chris Farley’s childhood journey to superstardom

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Graphic Policy Team

Z2 Comics has announced Growing Up Farley, a graphic novel about the comedy icon who stormed 30 Rockefeller Plaza to become Saturday Night Live’s breakout star of the ‘90s. Co-written by Chris Farley’s brother, stand-up comedian and actor Kevin Farley, the story provides an intimate portrait into Chris and Kevin’s youthful adventures—from their performances at Red Arrow Camp to sets at the Arc Theatre in Wisconsin, all the way to famed improv institution The Second City in Chicago.

Kevin Farley joins co-writer Frank Marraffino and artist Ryan Dunlavey capture the Farleys’ late ‘70s/early ‘80s childhood in Maple Bluff, WI, exploring the unique family dynamic that fueled their creativity and adoration of physical comedy.

After honing such characters as “motivational speaker” Matt Foley at The Second City Theater Group in Chicago, Chris Farley joined the Saturday Night Live cast in 1990, cementing a golden era of humor alongside Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, and David Spade. He’d soon ascend into the ranks of celluloid comedy legend through releases including Wayne’s World, Tommy Boy, Beverly Hills Ninja, and Black Sheep.

Z2 Comics presents Growing Up Farley in standard hardcover and deluxe hardcover editions, set to release Fall 2023. The deluxe hardcover will come with three art prints illustrated by renowned underground artists Craig Rousseau, Fred C. Stresing, and Ryan Dunlavey. Oversized platinum editions will come with an elegant slipcase, the art prints, a “Scotch Oil” trucker hat, a “Scotch Oil” pen, and a “Scotch Oil” ballpoint pen. The “Scotch Oil” company of Madison, Wisconsin was famously owned by Chris and Kevin’s father, Tom Farley, and employed many of the Farley family members over the years. Z2 Comics will also offer 100 super limited platinum editions signed by Kevin Farley.

Comics

Review: Cheech and Chong’s Chronicle: A Brief History of Weed

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Brett

Cheech and Chong take us a bit through the history of weed as they attempt to get to a gig in Reno.

Story: Ceech Marin, Tommy Chong, Eliot Rahal
Art: Noah Van Sciver, Soo Lee, Ryan Dunlavey, Butch Mapa, J Gonzo, Chris Visions, Patricio Delpeche, Gideon Kendall, Ellen Lindner
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Color: Mark Rodrigues, Matt Harding

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon
Z2 Comics

“Weird Al” Yankovic & Z2 Comics Join Forces For The Original Graphic Novel The Illustrated Al: The Songs of “Weird Al” Yankovic

Posted on May 29, 2022 by Graphic Policy Team

Z2 Comics has announced a collaboration with pop culture icon “Weird Al” Yankovic to publish The Illustrated Al: The Songs of “Weird Al” Yankovic. Written by “Weird Al” Yankovic, this career-spanning visual feast unites some of our top cartoonists and illustrators to express Al’s “Yankovisions.” The Great AL-merican Songbook features 20-plus classic Al songs interpreted by such artists as Bill Plympton, Aaron Augenblick, Peter Bagge, Steve Chanks, Felipe Sobreiro, Gideon Kendall, Michael Kupperman, Wes Hargis, Ruben Bolling, Fred Harper, Ryan Dunlavey, R. Sikoryak, Jeff McClelland, Jeff McComsey, Hilary Barta, Johnny Sampson, Tom Richmond, Bob Fingerman, and many more! The book also features cover art by Drew Friedman and Mike & Laura Allred, as well as a custom art print set from Jesse Philips, a collector’s card set by Danny Hellman, and a foreword from legendary comic Emo Philips, who is also opening for Al on his current 133-show tour of North America, with an accompanying illustration by master MAD alumnus Sam Viviano.

Z2 Comics and “Weird Al” Yankovic present The Illustrated Al: The Songs of “Weird Al” Yankovic in both softcover and hardcover formats, as well as oversized hardcover deluxe, and an oversized hardcover deluxe hand-signed edition. Drew Friedman and Mike & Laura Allred provide cover art. Deluxe editions include a wax pack of collector’s cards illustrated by Danny Hellman, a 3-piece art print set from Jesse Philips, a vinyl slipmat, drink coasters, and, in the Super Deluxe Edition, Al-signed books as well as a “Weird Al” Yankovic branded mini-accordion.

Comics

Preview: Comic Book History of Animation

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

Comic Book History of Animation

(W) Fred Van Lente (A/CA) Ryan Dunlavey
In Shops: Jul 21, 2021
SRP: $17.99

From the team behind The Comic Book History of Comics comes the perfect companion piece telling the story of the triumphs and tragedies of the filmmakers and beloved animated characters of the past century and a half – essential for hardcore fans of the medium and noobies alike! It’s all here, from Aardman to Zoetrope, Disney to Miyazaki, Hanna-Barbera to Pixar, and everything in-between!

Begin in the early 1900s with J. Stuart Blackton and the first American cartoon, Winsor McCay’s Gertie the Dinosaur, and Felix the Cat! Find out about Margaret Winkler, the most powerful person in early animation, and Walt Disney, who revolutionizes cartoons with sound and color! Discover how Fleischer Studios teaches us to sing “Boop-boop-a-doop” and eat our spinach, and how Warner Bros’ Looney Toons rivaled Disney’s Silly Symphonies! Plus, icons of animation including Hanna-Barbera, Huckleberry Hound, The Flintstones, and Ruby-Spears; the Plastic Age of toy-based TV shows including G.I. Joe, Transformers, and He-Man; and the new Golden Age of TV animation launched by The Simpsons!

And go abroad to France with Emile Cohl’s dynamic doodles in Fantasmagorie; to Japan, where Momotaro debuts the first full-length anime, Divine Sea Warriors, and Osauma Tezuka conquers TV as he conquered manga; and to Argentina, which beat out Snow White for the first feature length animated movie by two decades! And finally, Jurassic Park and the computer animation revolution! Post-Little Mermaid Disney, Pixar, and Studio Ghibli conquer the world!

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the history of animation but were afraid to ask, this book is especially for you!

Preview: Comic Book History of Animation #5 (of 5)

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Graphic Policy Team

Comic Book History of Animation #5 (of 5)

(W) Fred Van Lente (A/CA) Ryan Dunlavey
In Shops: May 12, 2021
SRP: $3.99

In this issue: ANIME! ANIME! ANIME! How Japan conquered the world with a multipronged assault of giant robots, psychic bikers, and sailor moons! But Japan’s greatest animator, Hayao Miyazaki rejects fantasies of power-and teaches everyone how to appreciate the power of fantasy! Also: Everyone remembers the smash-hit Pixar Image Computer that was in every household throughout the 1980s, right? No? Oh, right. It was a huge failure. But maybe you heard of the ground-breaking animation studio it spawned instead?