Z2 Comics Explained

Z2 Comics
Location:(editorial) New York City
(distribution) 1812 South Parker Road, Denver, CO, 80231
Predecessor:Zip Comics
Num Employees:30
Products:Graphic novels, music, pop culture merchandise
Divisions:Modern Prometheus

Z2 Comics is an American publisher of graphic novels, comic books, and popular culture merchandise. Known for its music-related projects and partnership with musical acts, the company uses "a data-driven approach to identify acts with strong followings across all musical genres, then recruits ... comics creators to produce the works."

History

Zip Comics

The company began as Zip Comics, founded in 2010 by Josh Frankel[1] with financing from an investor. The company's first publications were Frankel's own title, The Schizophrenic, illustrated by Toby Cypress;[2] and Harvey Pekar's Cleveland, a nonfiction graphic novel written by Pekar and illustrated by Joseph Remnant; the book was co-published with Top Shelf Productions and released after Pekar's death.[3]

Relaunch as Z2 Comics

The company was relaunched in 2014 as Z2 Comics,[4] [5] with its first two titles being graphic novel collections from alternative comics creators Dean Haspiel and Paul Pope. In the period 2015–2016, Z2 released a couple of other graphic novels and a selection of comic book limited series.

In 2015, Frankel brought filmmaker Sridhar Reddy on board and formed Modern Prometheus, a division of the publisher designed to adapt comics to film and television. Ian McGinty's Welcome to Showside was one of the first Z2 projects targeted for this treatment.[6]

Shift to music

In 2016, Z2 Comics "began collaborating with musicians to create graphic novels centered on unique stories and exclusive music."[7] The first two such projects, published by Z2 in 2017, were The Wonderful World of Perfecto: With Paul Oakenfold and Friends, and Murder Ballads, which was accompanied by an original soundtrack by Dan Auerbach and Robert Finley. 2018's Apocrypha: The Legend of Babymetal is one of the company's best-selling books.[8]

Z2's Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album was nominated for three 2023 Eisner Awards: Best Short Story for "Silent All These Years" by David W. Mack, Best Anthology, and Best Adaptation from Another Medium.[9]

In the fall of 2022, company founder Josh Frankel left Z2,[10] [11] eventually joining IDW Publishing.[12] By this time, the company had grown from three employees to 30.

Overview

Z2 Comics specializes in authorized partnerships. Musicians with whom Z2 Comics has worked include Gorillaz, Self Defense Family, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, DJ Paul Oakenfold, Tori Amos, John Cooper of Skillet, Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides, Jimmy Eat World, Machine Gun Kelly, Yungblud, Oliver Tree, and BABYMETAL.[13]

Many Z2 Comics graphic novels (or anthologies of stories) are accompanied by an original "soundtrack" by the artist/band in question. Examples include Murder Ballads (Dan Auerbach and Robert Finley, 2017),[14] Genesis 1 (Poppy, 2019), Chasin' the Bird: A Charlie Parker Graphic Novel (2020; the deluxe edition of which was packaged with vinyl recordings of two previously unreleased Parker tracks),[15] This is Where We Fall (Mitski, 2021),[16] and Superstate (Graham Coxon, 2022).[17]

Other projects use classic recordings as springboards for comics anthologies. Examples include Anthrax: Among the Living (2021),[18] The Doors: Morrison Hotel (2021), Machine Gun Kelly's Hotel Diablo (2021), Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album (Tori Amos, 2022), Blondie: Against the Odds (2022), King Diamond's Abigail (2022), Joan Jett & the Blackhearts 40x40: Bad Reputation / I Love Rock-n-Roll (2022), Jefferson Starship: Blows Against the Empire (Paul Kantner, 2022)[19] (which included a limited edition Blows Against The Empire LP on colored vinyl),[20] [19] and The Illustrated Al: The Songs of "Weird Al" Yankovic (2023).

In addition to distributing its products through the typical book and graphic novel platforms, Z2 also utilizes a robust direct-to-consumer system via its website. Many Z2 Comics projects include standard and deluxe editions.

Titles published

Comics series

General graphic novels

Music-related titles (selected)

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Josh Frankel, Founder Of Z2 Comics, Quits For Something New. 20 Oct 2022. Bleeding Cool.
  2. Web site: The Schizophrenic. https://web.archive.org/web/20230606041223/https://www.brokenfrontier.com/. 2010. Broken Frontier. June 6, 2023. STEVEN. SURMAN. June 6, 2023. bot: unknown.
  3. News: THE SCHMOOZE: Q&A: Harvey Pekar Publisher Josh Frankel. David A.M.. Wilensky. May 1, 2012. The Forward.
  4. News: Frankel Launches Z2 Comics with Paul Pope, Dean Haspiel. Calvin. Reid . Sep 11, 2013. Publishers Weekly.
  5. Web site: Josh Frankel Launches Z2 Comics with Pope and Haspiel. Matthew. Meylikhov. September 11, 2013. Multiversity Comics.
  6. News: Modern Prometheus Founded to Bring Indie Comics to Screen (Exclusive): Henry Rollins and Paul Pope are involved in comic book adaptations. GRAEME. MCMILLAN. July 27, 2015. The Hollywood Reporter.
  7. Web site: Andy Biersack – The Ghost of Ohio (Graphic Novel Review). Blue. Jeannie. 2019-04-15. Cryptic Rock. en-US. 2019-11-01.
  8. How Pairing With Musicians Set Up Z2 Comics for the Future. Bryan. Reesman. Oct 22, 2019. Billboard.
  9. Web site: Eisner Awards Current Info: Nominees Announced for 2023 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards: Image and DC have the most nominations. Comic-Con International: San Diego. 17 December 2014. June 3, 2023. 7 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170607093909/https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards-current-info. dead.
  10. News: LEADERSHIP CHANGE AT Z2: CO-FOUNDER FRANKEL IS OUT, OTHER CO-FOUNDERS STEP UP. Rob. Salkowitz. October 13, 2022. ICv2.
  11. Z2 Comics Names New Leadership Team Following Resignation of CEO. Calvin. Reid. Oct 17, 2022. Publishers Weekly.
  12. News: IDW Announces More Shakeups to Leadership. Sophia . Stewart . May 4, 2023. Publishers Weekly.
  13. Web site: Julia Kai. Fink. Apr 27, 2022. Q&A with Rebecca Cicione: How Z2 Comics is Merging Music and Comic Book Industries. Intersect Magazine.
  14. Blistein. Jon. Hear Dan Auerbach, Robert Finley's Grisly New Outlaw Tune 'Bang Bang'. Rolling Stone. 20 July 2017 . 10 October 2017.
  15. News: ICV2 INTERVIEW: Z2 COMICS FOUNDERS JOSH FRANKEL AND SRIDHAR REDDY Explain How Its Graphic Novel Pivot is Fueling Explosive Growth. Milton. Griepp. Milton Griepp. January 4, 2021. ICv2.
  16. Web site: Mitski shares new track 'The Baddy Man' from graphic novel soundtrack . NME . March 6, 2021 . March 19, 2021 . Richards, Will.
  17. Web site: Graham Coxon announces new soundtrack for graphic novel Superstate . NME . July 16, 2021 . July 17, 2021 . Moore, Sam.
  18. Web site: Anthrax Share Details and Release Date for Among the Living Graphic Novel . Hadusek . Jon . . June 8, 2021 . July 7, 2021 . June 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210608190758/https://consequence.net/2021/06/anthrax-among-the-living-graphic-novel-release-date/ . live .
  19. Web site: Jefferson Starship's 'Blows Against The Empire' Re-Imagined In Comic Form . Firestone . Andrew . October 21, 2021 . ScreenRant.com . November 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211021223155/https://screenrant.com/jefferson-starship-blows-against-empire-comic-book-z2/ . October 21, 2021 . live . en-US . mdy-all .
  20. Web site: Jefferson Starship: Blows Against the Empire. Z2 Comics. . November 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025232549/https://z2comics.com/products/jefferson-starship-blows-against-the-empire-graphic-novel-vinyl-lp. October 25, 2021. live. en-US. mdy-all.
  21. Web site: I Only Trust People With Weird Haircuts: Miss Lasko-Gross And Kevin Colden On The World Of 'The Sweetness' [Interview]]. Kieran. Shiach. March 28, 2016. Comics Alliance.
  22. Web site: Ian McGinty On Waffle Tacos, Z2 Comics, And The Success Of 'WELCOME TO SHOWSIDE' . January 21, 2016 . doomrocket.com . 2016-04-25.
  23. News: Seven. John. The Abaddon / Publishers Weekly. 24 May 2012. Publishers Weekly. Mar 12, 2012.
  24. Web site: Parker. John R.. Explore Broken Memories in Koren Shadmi's 'The Abaddon'. 2020-06-30. ComicsAlliance. 27 October 2015 . en.
  25. Jimmy Eat World's Jim Adkins Shares Look at New '555'-Inspired Graphic Novel: Comic based on band's music video is out June 15th. CLAIRE. SHAFFER. Jun 8, 2021. Rolling Stone.
  26. Web site: Black Veil Brides' Andy Biersack partners with Z2 Comics for The Ghost of Ohio graphic novel. 2018-10-05. Consequence of Sound. en-US. 2019-11-01.
  27. Web site: Jefferson Starship: Blows Against the Empire. Z2 Comics. . November 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025232549/https://z2comics.com/products/jefferson-starship-blows-against-the-empire-graphic-novel-vinyl-lp. October 25, 2021. live. en-US. mdy-all.
  28. Web site: CBR . Dominguez . Noah . June 30, 2022 . Twister Sister Frontman Dee Snider Debuts Anti-censorship 'He's Not Gonna Take It' Graphic Novel .
  29. Web site: Jeffery . Klaehn . May 22, 2020 . Talking Comics with Ignatz Award-Winning Cartoonist Noah Van Sciver . Boing Boing . June 13, 2020.
  30. Web site: Joan Jett's First Two Albums Turned into a Graphic Novel. May 14, 2021.
  31. Web site: Graeme. McMillan. Musician Poppy Moves to Comics for 'Genesis 1' Graphic Novel. The Hollywood Reporter. January 8, 2019. February 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20210124113413/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/poppy-moves-comics-genesis-1-graphic-novel-1174634. January 24, 2021. dead.
  32. Web site: Al. Mega. Poppy Announces First Ever Graphic Novel 'Genesis 1'. Comic Crusaders. January 9, 2019. January 26, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190414150322/https://www.comiccrusaders.com/poppy-announces-first-ever-graphic-novel-genesis-1-available-july-2019/. April 14, 2019. dead.
  33. Web site: Cai. Trefor. Poppy talks new ambient release, being a religious leader + embracing heavy metal. Gigwise. January 24, 2019. February 27, 2022.
  34. Anthrax to Celebrate 40th Anniversary With 'Among the Living' Graphic Novel . Blistein . Jon . . November 19, 2020 . April 6, 2021 . December 31, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201231082603/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/anthrax-among-the-living-graphic-novel-40th-anniversary-1092507/ . live .
  35. Web site: Z2 Comics Partners with Heavy Metal Legend King Diamond for ABIGAIL . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302225013/https://z2comics.com/blogs/z2-universe/z2-comics-partners-with-heavy-metal-legend-king-diamond-for-abigail . 2 March 2023 . 2 March 2023 . Z2 Comics . 22 April 2021 .
  36. Web site: Life Imitates Al: 'Weird Al' Yankovic On How His Parody Songs Inspired a New Graphic Novel . Mike . Avila . January 21, 2023 . January 21, 2023 . .

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