BRUCE DICKINSON Collaborates With Z2 On 12-Issue Limited Comic Series 'The Mandrake Project'

Award-winning independent publisher Z2 has collaborated with IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson for an original comic series tied to his upcoming solo album "The Mandrake Project", being released by BMG on March 1, 2024. "Bruce Dickinson's The Mandrake Project" #1 arrives in comic shops and at Z2comics.com on January 17, 2024. The 12-issue limited series is an epic saga of opposing forces battling to use the powers of science and magic to gain control of immortality. It's a story developed by Bruce over the last decade, and "The Mandrake Project" is brought to life through his creative partnership with iconic team of creators — including script by Tony Lee ("Doctor Who", Marvel, DC),art by Staz Johnson (Marvel, DC),lettering by Troy Peteri ("Amazing Spider-Man", "Witchblade"),coloring by Gabo (DC, Image),covers by multiple Eisner winner Bill Sienkiewicz ("Moon Knight", "New Mutants"). Edited by Eisner and Harvey winner Rantz A. Hoseley, "Bruce Dickinson's The Mandrake Project" 12-issue comic series is a vital component of Bruce's narrative and music experience. The excitement kicked off with the release of the single "Afterglow Of Ragnarok" on December 1, which contained an eight-page comic prologue, followed by the release of the first issue of the comic to retail shops on January 17.

Today, Z2 is making 666 editions of "Bruce Dickinson's The Mandrake Project" signed bundles available to fans. This uniquely curated collection comes with one (1) "The Mandrake Project" foil collector's card, signed by Bruce Dickinson; one (1) felt trading card pouch; one (1) "Bruce Dickinson's The Mandrake Project" issue No. 1; one (1) "The Mandrake Project" first printing certificate of authenticity; one (1) Bill Sienkiewicz-illustrated "The Mandrake Project" art print and will be sold as a set for $100 USD, only at Z2comics.com.

"The Mandrake Project" events continue with a comic preview inserted in the special deluxe CD version of the album with promotional appearances for the comic series as well as extensive worldwide touring through 2025.

"Early in the process of writing my new album, the idea of a companion comic book began to take shape in my mind," says Dickinson. "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! The Story Of Anvil'). I then found out that my management were already working with Z2 on the 'Piece Of Mind' 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!"

Editor-in-chief Rantz A. Hoseley puts the series in context: "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."

"Since Rantz and I come from the same comic shop trenches," adds Z2 president Josh Bernstein, "we made sure that our comic retailers feel supported and that they have great partners in Z2 and Bruce Dickinson. It's our hope that the efforts of making the free pullbox preview available to stores, giving retailers the PDF of the first issue before they order, clearly conveying the release schedule and plans for the next two years, as well as making the first issue returnable, make it clear that we place immense value on comic shops in measuring the success of Bruce Dickinson's 'The Mandrake Project'."

Dickinson's new studio album, "The Mandrake Project", will be released on March 1, 2024 via BMG. Across ten inventive, expansive, and absorbing tracks, Bruce and his long-term co-writer and producer Roy "Z" Ramirez have created one of 2024's defining rock albums. Sonically heavy and rich in musical textures, it sees Bruce bring to life a musical vision long in the making and features some of the finest vocal performances of his career. "The Mandrake Project" is not just an album, but a dark, adult story of power, abuse, and a struggle for identity, set against the backdrop of scientific and occult genius.

The battle for immortality begins with "Bruce Dickinson's The Mandrake Project" #1 available at comic retailers and direct from Z2Comics.com on January 17, 2024. The large-sized 9.35" x 9:35" 36-page single issue with cardstock cover is priced at $10 and arrives in a sealed bag with a first-printing certificate of authenticity — the first of a 12-issue run arriving quarterly over the course of the next three years, including annual trade paperbacks every fall. Release dates for 2024 and 2025 as follows:

* "The Mandrake Project" #1 – January 17, 2024

* "The Mandrake Project" #2 – March 20, 2024

* "The Mandrake Project" #3 – June 26, 2024

* "The Mandrake Project" #4 – September 25, 2024

* "The Mandrake Project" annual trade paperback #1 – November 6, 2024

* "The Mandrake Project" #5 – December 18, 2024

* "The Mandrake Project" #6 – March 19, 2025

* "The Mandrake Project" #7 – June 25, 2025

* "The Mandrake Project" #8 – September 24, 2025

* "The Mandrake Project" annual trade paperback #2 – November 5, 2025

"Bruce Dickinson's The Mandrake Project" #1 (of 12)

* Story by Bruce Dickinson
* Script by Tony Lee
* Art by Staz Johnson
* Letters by Troy Peteri
* Colors by Gabo
* Covers by Bill Sienkiewicz

Photo credit: John McMurtrie