Z2 Comics and Anthrax Announce Joey Belladonna to Write Foreword, and Frank Bello to Write a Story Inspired By the Album’s Seventh Track ‘One World’
NEW YORK, NY – Last fall, the announcement of the upcoming graphic novel inspired by the titans of thrash metal’s landmark 1987 album dominated the news cycle across the music and pop culture landscape. The Among the Living graphic novel pulls together a who’s who of names from around comics and music for a track-by-track storyline inspired by one of heavy metal’s most iconic albums. Today’s announcement brings news that all four members of the classic Anthrax lineup will contribute to the upcoming graphic novel, with Frank Bello writing a chapter, and Joey Belladonna penning the foreword.
“I’m truly excited about this graphic novel," said Bello. "'Among the Living' was a very special record for Anthrax, and this is a great way to celebrate it while having all the amazing people adding their talents to it. I had a blast writing a chapter for it and letting my mind go to the dark side."
Said Belladonna, “It is quite neat to be able to turn an album from years ago into a very special graphic novel. It’s got cool stories and artwork from extraordinary people, good friends, artists and musicians who have joined us for a unique venture through Among the Living."
NEW YORK, NY – Last fall, the announcement of the upcoming graphic novel inspired by the titans of thrash metal’s landmark 1987 album dominated the news cycle across the music and pop culture landscape. The Among the Living graphic novel pulls together a who’s who of names from around comics and music for a track-by-track storyline inspired by one of heavy metal’s most iconic albums. Today’s announcement brings news that all four members of the classic Anthrax lineup will contribute to the upcoming graphic novel, with Frank Bello writing a chapter, and Joey Belladonna penning the foreword.
“I’m truly excited about this graphic novel," said Bello. "'Among the Living' was a very special record for Anthrax, and this is a great way to celebrate it while having all the amazing people adding their talents to it. I had a blast writing a chapter for it and letting my mind go to the dark side."
Said Belladonna, “It is quite neat to be able to turn an album from years ago into a very special graphic novel. It’s got cool stories and artwork from extraordinary people, good friends, artists and musicians who have joined us for a unique venture through Among the Living."
An anthology narrated by longtime mascot “The Not Man” newly designed by Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead);Among the Living unites band members Joey Belladonna, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, and Scott Ian, with writers Brian Azzarello, Grant Morrison, Jimmy Palmiotti, Brian Posehn, Rick Remender, Corey Taylor, Joseph Trohman, Gerard and Mikey Way, and Rob Zombie, with more to be announced. Artists include Roland Boschi, Maan House, Dave Johnson, Scott Koblish, Darrick Robertson, and Erik Rodriguez, and more, with covers by Charlie Benante, JG Jones, and Eric Powell. As previously announced, Scott Ian will contribute an original story inspired by the fan favorite anthem “I Am the Law,” featuring the legendary comic book antihero Judge Dredd, in partnership with 2000 AD. This will make official the decades long connection between the character and the band, rewarding comic book fans and metalheads alike.
Anthrax’s landmark 1987 album influenced an entire generation of metalheads, cementing the New York band’s place in the Big 4 of Thrash alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. The first in a string of certified-Gold and Platinum Anthrax albums amounting to millions of records sold in North America alone, Among the Living ranks high in The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time (Rolling Stone), The 50 Best Metal Albums of the Last 50 Years (Metal Hammer), and The 25 Greatest Thrash Metal Albums Ever (Kerrang!). As recently as March 2020, Loudwire noted that the Decibel Hall of Fame inductee is “now widely regarded as one of the best thrash metal albums of all-time.”
To celebrate today’s news, Z2 has partnered with ESP guitars to giveaway a stage-played Among the Living bass (1/200 produced) signed by Frank Bello himself. Additionally, Z2 will throw in the Super Deluxe graphic novel package from Z2 Comics. The Super Deluxe graphic novel package includes oversized hardcover graphic novel, slipcase featuring Greg Nicotero's zombie "Not Man," exclusive vinyl picture disc, limited edition "Not Man" NECA Madball toy, limited edition "Not Man" t-shirt, five Among the Living-inspired lithographs, and exclusive Among the Living Gold Record Plaque custom-monogrammed with your name.
Anthrax’s landmark 1987 album influenced an entire generation of metalheads, cementing the New York band’s place in the Big 4 of Thrash alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. The first in a string of certified-Gold and Platinum Anthrax albums amounting to millions of records sold in North America alone, Among the Living ranks high in The 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time (Rolling Stone), The 50 Best Metal Albums of the Last 50 Years (Metal Hammer), and The 25 Greatest Thrash Metal Albums Ever (Kerrang!). As recently as March 2020, Loudwire noted that the Decibel Hall of Fame inductee is “now widely regarded as one of the best thrash metal albums of all-time.”
To celebrate today’s news, Z2 has partnered with ESP guitars to giveaway a stage-played Among the Living bass (1/200 produced) signed by Frank Bello himself. Additionally, Z2 will throw in the Super Deluxe graphic novel package from Z2 Comics. The Super Deluxe graphic novel package includes oversized hardcover graphic novel, slipcase featuring Greg Nicotero's zombie "Not Man," exclusive vinyl picture disc, limited edition "Not Man" NECA Madball toy, limited edition "Not Man" t-shirt, five Among the Living-inspired lithographs, and exclusive Among the Living Gold Record Plaque custom-monogrammed with your name.
Additionally, Z2 and Anthrax premier the first new art from the project, illustrated by Erik Rodriguez and Steve Chanks. These pages are from the Rob-Zombie-written chapter inspired by the song “Imitation of Life."
All editions of the are available to order directly from Z2’s website now, with Charlie Benante’s Judge Dredd variant exclusive to pre-orders of the standard edition
All editions of the are available to order directly from Z2’s website now, with Charlie Benante’s Judge Dredd variant exclusive to pre-orders of the standard edition
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About Z2 Comics:
Z2 is the premier destination for official music-related graphic novels, created by way of direct and authentic partnerships with top-tier artists, musicians, directors and pop-culture icons. Z2 has published the first-ever Gorillaz graphic album, as well as debut comic works by Grammy nominated artists Sturgill Simpson and Poppy, pop punk provocateur Yungblud, and many others. Additionally, the company has tapped top talent for official graphic biographies for such legends as Beethoven, Charlie Parker, The Grateful Dead, and Elvis Presley. In 2021, Z2 will publish graphic novel tie-ins to essential albums by The Doors, Anthrax, Dio, and many more to be announced.
About Anthrax:
In 2021, Anthrax will celebrate its 40th anniversary, four decades during which time the band has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, six Grammy nominations and a host of other accolades from the media, the music industry and fans. In 1991, the band helped break down race and genre barriers when they collaborated with Public Enemy on the track “Bring The Noise,” and was the first metal band to have its music heard on Mars when NASA played “ Got The Time” to wake up the Mars Rover in 2012. Along with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth, Anthrax is a card-carrying member of The Big Four, the four bands that defined the speed/thrash/metal genre. Taking advantage of COVID-19’s prohibition of concert touring, the band is already hard at work writing the next Anthrax album.
Judge Dredd (R) is Copyright (C) Rebellion 2000 AD Ltd. All Rights Reserved
About Z2 Comics:
Z2 is the premier destination for official music-related graphic novels, created by way of direct and authentic partnerships with top-tier artists, musicians, directors and pop-culture icons. Z2 has published the first-ever Gorillaz graphic album, as well as debut comic works by Grammy nominated artists Sturgill Simpson and Poppy, pop punk provocateur Yungblud, and many others. Additionally, the company has tapped top talent for official graphic biographies for such legends as Beethoven, Charlie Parker, The Grateful Dead, and Elvis Presley. In 2021, Z2 will publish graphic novel tie-ins to essential albums by The Doors, Anthrax, Dio, and many more to be announced.
About Anthrax:
In 2021, Anthrax will celebrate its 40th anniversary, four decades during which time the band has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, six Grammy nominations and a host of other accolades from the media, the music industry and fans. In 1991, the band helped break down race and genre barriers when they collaborated with Public Enemy on the track “Bring The Noise,” and was the first metal band to have its music heard on Mars when NASA played “ Got The Time” to wake up the Mars Rover in 2012. Along with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth, Anthrax is a card-carrying member of The Big Four, the four bands that defined the speed/thrash/metal genre. Taking advantage of COVID-19’s prohibition of concert touring, the band is already hard at work writing the next Anthrax album.
Judge Dredd (R) is Copyright (C) Rebellion 2000 AD Ltd. All Rights Reserved
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