Award-winning independent publisher, Z2, is collaborating with Bruce Dickinson for an original comic series tied to his upcoming solo album The Mandrake Project. This 12-issue limited series saga promises an epic battle between science and magic, with the power of immortality hanging in the balance.
Dickinson has poured his creative energy into this project for over a decade, collaborating with a powerhouse team of comic veterans to bring his vision to life. Tony Lee, known for his work on Doctor Who, Marvel, and DC comics, weaves the narrative, while Staz Johnson's (Marvel, DC) stunning artwork brings the characters and world to life. Eisner-winner Bill Sienkiewicz (Moon Knight, New Mutants) delivers captivating covers, while Troy Peteri (Amazing Spider-Man, Witchblade) and Gabo (DC, Image) handle the lettering and coloring, respectively.
The excitement starts on January 17, 2024, with the release of the first issue at comic shops and online at Z2comics. To celebrate, a limited number of 666 special "Signed Bundles" have been made available today, featuring the following:
- One (1) Mandrake Project Foil Collector's Card, signed by Bruce Dickinson
- One (1) Felt Trading Card Pouch
- One (1) Bruce Dickinson's Mandrake Project, Issue No. 1
- One (1) Mandrake Project 1st Printing Certificate of Authenticity
- One (1) Bill Sienkiewicz illustrated Mandrake Art Print
"Early in the process of writing my new album, the idea of a companion comic book began to take shape in my mind," Dickinson explains. "So I approached Z2 who were recommended to me by Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy, The Shield) and Sacha Gervasi (My Dinner with Hervé, Anvil). I then found out that my management was already working on the POM Maiden graphic novel which I contributed the Revelations story to! I then pitched them with a fully formed concept and written storyline which they immediately understood and enthusiastically started fleshing out plans and ideas with me! I knew right then, that they would be the perfect creative team to help bring my own ideas to fruition…and here they are!"
"Z2's model has always rested firmly in the graphic novel space, but when we sat down with Bruce and discussed the story of The Mandrake Project, and the experience that he wanted the readers to have with it, we realized two very important things: First, that this was a story that we had to be a part of. It reminded us of reading the iconic titles from Vertigo. The second realization was that The Mandrake Project had to be released as a comic series and, as anyone in comics knows, releasing a series is a different animal," expressed Z2 Editor-in-Chief Rantz A. Hoseley.
The battle for immortality in the comics world begins this January!
