Judas Priest has partnered with Z2 Comics to create / release an original graphic novel. The hope it to have it ready next year, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of their biggest selling, classic album “Screaming For Vengeance”!

Check out the team around this graphic novel; writers Rantz Hoseley (“Comic Book Tattoo”, “The Heroin Diaries”) and Neil Kleid (“Savor”), and artist Christopher Mitten (“Hellboy And The B.P.R.D.”). Impressive!

Writer Hoseley says, “I cannot overstate what an inspiration Judas Priest has been to me, personally. I was already a fan of the band when ‘Screaming For Vengeance’ was released, but no one was ready for the impact it had. That incredible cover art? Those songs? That album became my daily soundtrack and creative fuel, to the point where I wore the cassette out in my car. To be able to contribute to a project inspired by these songs that mean so much to me? Well, that is an honor and a responsibility I take very seriously.”

A synopsis of the story says, “500 years from now, a ring of cities orbit high above the surface of a dead world, controlled by a ruling elite that maintains power through manipulation and brutality. When a naïve engineer inadvertently threatens the status quo with his vital scientific discovery… A BLOODSTONE… he is betrayed by those he trusted and cast out to the broken planet below.  In the wreckage and desolation of a broken world where every day is a battle for survival, he must choose between accepting his new life in exile… or SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE.”

And this is cool, within the graphic novel, you’ll read an extensive interview with original cover artist Doug Johnson where he talks about the award-winning album cover and the origin of the metallic bird, “The Hellion”. 

Beyond the graphic novel, looks like they’re creating product around the album too. Z2 vice president of collectibles and Aggronautix founder Clint Weiler says there’s a detailed Hellion statue (with working “electric eyes”) coming soon!

“Screaming For Vengeance” was ranked No. 3 on Rolling Stone’s 2017 list of “100 Greatest Metal Albums Of All Time” and remains one of the best metal album all-time.

“Judas Priest: Screaming For Vengeance” will be released in both softcover and hardcover formats in July ’22. The special limited deluxe and super deluxe versions will have an exclusive anniversary vinyl LP, prints and more. Preorder at Z2 web site.

Love the idea! Which other classic rock albums deserve their own graphic novel?

Written by Todd Hancock

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