Tag Archives: sridhar reddy

Z2 Comics has announced a New Executive Leadership Team

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Z2 Comics has announced a new leadership team to help usher the publisher into the future. Previous CEO Josh Frankel has stepped down to pursue other ventures. Effective immediately, the new leadership team consists of the following: 

Sridhar Reddy: Publisher
Kevin Meek: Chief Executive Officer, Former CFO and General Counsel
Josh Bernstein: President, Former Senior Vice President
Aleksey Zelenberg: Chief Technology Officer, Former Data Scientist 
Courtney Menard: Creative Director, Former Director of Production

Sridhar Reddy, Kevin Meek, Josh Bernstein, Aleksey Zelenberg, Courtney Menard

Z2 Comics has evolved into one of the premiere publishers of comics and merchandise in the world, collaborating with the most innovative and iconic musicians and pop culture storytellers. The above promotions follow a series of announcements featuring new partnerships with Gorillaz, “Weird” Al Yankovic, Elvis Presley, Ice-T, and Tori Amos, with many more to be announced. The publisher’s catalog features collaborations with bands ranging from the iconic classic rock of The Doors and Grateful Dead to metal trailblazers Mötley Crüe and Anthrax to timeless entertainers like Cheech and Chong and beyond. Since 2020, Z2 Comics has grown from three employees to approximately 30. Former publisher Josh Frankel has resigned from the company.

Alison Wonderland and Z2 Comics Announce Psychedelic, Role-Playing-Inspired Graphic Novel, Loner

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Z2 Comics and singer/songwriter/producer Alison Wonderland have announced a new graphic novel, Loner. Z2 Comics co-founder Sridhar Reddy is co-writing the book alongside Wonderland; Minomiyabi, Alex Heywood, Kelsey Ramsay, BRÄO, and Taylan Kurtulus all provide interior art, with Alex Heywood on cover art. 

The project expands on the themes of isolation and redemption that punctuated Wonderland’s third full-length album of the same name, released last May. After enduring cataclysmic life shifts, Wonderland felt a deep lull that coincided with the global pandemic, ultimately allowing the musician to reflect and find empowerment throughout the following months. 

The Loner graphic novel witnesses the acclaimed DJ and musician channel those themes into a dimension-spanning, psychedelic personal journey of creation and loss. The project explores the waves of panic, grief, and forgiveness that come with the highs and lows of making something beautiful. Ranging from real-life conflicts of bullying and anxiety to otherworldly sci-fi dealing with metaphysical monsters, Loner also features a fully-playable fantasy RPG module complete with character sheets and map.  

Loner will be available in both softcover and hardcover formats. Deluxe editions include a hand-signed edition of the book, four prints, a limited edition CD of the album with exclusive art, and custom pair of Crocs shoewear. Loner will release in winter 2023. 

Loner

Devin Funches Joins Z2 Comics and Rolls Out a Direct Sales Program

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Devin Funches

Z2 Comics has announced a new fulfillment facility in Denver, as well as the rollout of a direct sales program geared toward comic book specialty retailers and independent record stores. Joining the team to lead this program is comic book sales and marketing veteran Devin Funches.

Devin Funches most recently served as sales manager for the Oni Lion Forge Publishing Group for five years, establishing and positioning Lion Forge at retail to usher in tremendous growth across markets just before the companies merged. Prior to that, he spent six years at BOOM! Studios in sales and marketing and e-commerce positions. Devin brings with him a wealth of experience from the book trade, specialty, international, direct, digital, and institutional markets. Prior to a successful publishing career, he began his professional life at Acosta and Coca-Cola.

To support this program, and increased web sales, the company has also opened a fulfillment center in Denver, CO to be overseen by co-founder Sridhar Reddy. The warehouse team is led by Isaiah Kelley, with a fulltime staff to oversee the company’s shipping of orders to both retailers and consumers.
 
Starting today, in addition to Z2’s books being made available to retailers through Diamond Comic Distributors and Simon & Schuster, stores can order product direct from Z2 with competitive shipping rates, discount tiers based on volume, and returnability across all titles after only 60 days. Additionally, Z2 will offer non-returnable exclusive deluxe retail packages unique to stores that participate in this program with no minimum order per account. Participating stores will also have the first opportunity at hosting touring Z2 musicians, inclusive of signings, possible in-store performances, and more.

Z2 Comics Partners with Skillet for Eden: A Skillet Graphic Novel

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Coming on the heels of Apocrypha: The Legend Of BabyMetal and the upcoming The Ghost Of Ohio graphic novel, Z2 Comics has announced their next title is a collaborative partnership with multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated rockers Skillet. Eden: A Skillet Graphic Novel is based on an original story idea created by Skillet frontman John Cooper alongside the creative team of Z2 Comics: Josh Frankel and Sridhar Reddy. Writers Alex Paknadel and Dan Watters of Random Shock Studios are writing the comic with Cooper. Artist Chris Hunt created the cover and will be working on the pages of the comic scheduled for release late Summer 2019.

The story of Eden: A Skillet Graphic Novel follows the two main characters of John and Korey (based on the real life Coopers). To save their family and town they must uncover the mystery of what lies behind the dreams of a prophecy that threaten to consume them. They set out on a quest that will take them through the barren wastelands and gleaming cities of a near-future Tennessee. Bandmates Seth Morrison and Jen Ledger are also focal characters in the story about survival, determination and strength of personal beliefs. Fans can pre-order the standard edition of Eden: A Skillet Graphic Novel. A deluxe edition of Eden: A Skillet Graphic Novel, available for $99.99 and limited to 1000 copies, is autographed by John Cooper and comes in a large, coffee table bound edition with four exclusive prints.

Eden: A Skillet Graphic Novel

Z2 Comics Publisher Josh Frankel & Filmmaker and Producer Sridhar Reddy Launch Modern Prometheus Production Company

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z2logoblueThe publisher of Z2 Comics, Josh Frankel, and independent filmmaker Sridhar Reddy have announced the formation of a new production company, Modern Prometheus. Frankel and Reddy will both serve as Co-Chairman and will be responsible for sourcing and developing comic book intellectual property and overseeing media finance, operations and production. Modern Prometheus will have a first look option for all Z2 Comics publications, including their recently announced line of creator owned comic books and their expanded graphic novel slate.

Modern Prometheus already has film and television projects in varying stages of production, including:

  • A Welcome to Showside animated pilot, based on the upcoming Z2 Comic book series by Ian McGinty, with an ensemble cast including iconic musician Henry Rollins. McGinty is serving as writer and showrunner and the pilot is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of this year. A Welcome to Showside features the adventures of Kit, a lovable kid with a monstrous secret: his dad is the Great Shadow King and he wants Kit to take over the family business of destroying the world. The first issue of the ongoing comic book series will be released by Z2 Comics in October 2015.
  • A live action adaptation of One Trick Rip-Off, the New York Times bestselling graphic novel from Eisner Award-winning writer/artist Paul Pope. Pope is Executive Producer on the film. The screenplay by Sridhar Reddy tells the story of young lovers Tubby and Vim who want to escape the mistakes they’ve made, the lives they’ve lived, and the city weighing them down. Their plan is simple: all they have to do is rip-off Tubby’s pals, the One Tricks – the toughest street gang in the city. If they pull it off, they’re set for life. If not, their lives won’t matter much anyway.

This deal has been a almost a year in the making and the culmination of a lot of work.