Iron Maiden and Z2 Comics have announced a graphic novel based on the band’s Piece of Mind album, arriving November 21st. Below you can get an exclusive first look at the special alternate cover featuring Eddie as “The Trooper” and its accompanying collector’s card.
The graphic novel celebrates the 40th anniversary of the legendary 1983 album, which contains all-time Maiden classics such as “Where Eagles Dare,” “Die with Your Boots On,” and “The Trooper.”
With a solid track record of heavy metal collaborations with Anthrax, King Diamond, and more, Z2 Comics pulled out all the stops for Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind. The book features stories based on each of the album’s songs, including writing from frontman Bruce Dickinson (“Revelations”) along with an introduction penned by longtime Maiden manager Rod Smallwood.
“When the idea of a Piece of Mind 40th Anniversary graphic novel first came up, I felt it was the perfect medium to expand outside the confines of the songs and to create new storylines and new dimensions through short form narrative and imagery,” said Dickinson in a press release. “With ‘Revelations,’ it allowed me to add more layers and dimensions to the lyrics and add a new twist.”
He continued: “Equally as exciting was bringing together some of the top writers and illustrators in the industry who are all actual fans of the band, to add their own creative ideas inspired by the songs, Eddie, and the album itself. Z2 did a tremendous job in pulling this all together to create more than just a graphic novel, it’s what I consider a work of art.”
The novel was edited by Rantz Hoseley. Other writing contributions include Steven Grant (The Punisher), Tony Lee (Doctor Who), Ivan Brandon (24Seven, Viking), Sacha Gervasi, Antony Johnston (Atomic Blonde), Leah Moore and John Reppion (Conspiracy of Ravens), Brian Posehn, Chris Roberson (iZombie), and Alison Sampson (Hit-Girl). Illustrators include Carson Thorn (Batman the Barbarian), Damien Worm (The October Faction), Francesco Dossena (Dylan Dog), Christian Rosado, Staz Johnson (Rogue Trooper), John Pearson (Mindset), Michael Avon Oeming (Powers), and Danijel Žeželj (Luna Park).
In addition, between each story, the book contains original pieces of art by acclaimed illustrators such as Montos, Ghoulish Gary, Steve Chanks, Jan Meininghaus, Kyle Hotz, Jay Geldhof, Darin Hazmat, Travis Knight, Akirant, and Nat Jones.
Remarked Hoseley on the massive project: “If you had told me when I snuck out of the house at 16 to see the Piece of Mind tour in Spokane, that 40 years later I’d be working on this tribute… and getting a story from Bruce Dickinson to boot?! Well, that’s one of those rare and precious moments in your creative career where you literally crash up against your youthful dreams coming true. Being entrusted by Maiden to edit this book has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime.”
The novel comes in five variants, including the lavish Oversized Deluxe and Asylum Editions, which encase the tome in an “asylum” clamshell with locking mechanism (as seen in the featured image above) with Eddie snarling from behind the die cut bars of the asylum doors. When the reader “unlocks” the book, Eddie breaks free of his chains and straitjacket.
Three other variants are available, including the aforementioned “The Trooper” Cutaway Edition featuring the standard edition hardcover graphic novel with cover art by Travis Knight. You can see an exclusive preview of the cover below, along with the foil collector’s card featuring Knight’s artwork.
“The Trooper” Cutaway Edition of the novel retails for $40 is limited to 666 copies and can be pre-ordered via Rockabilia.
Meanwhile, the Asylum Edition runs $300 and includes numerous extras such as art prints, a replica concert ticket, four collector’s cards, and an Eddie asylum model kit (shipped separately). Pre-orders of various formats are available via Z2 Comics.
Fans can also check out Iron Maiden live when they embark on their “Future Past Tour” in North American next fall. The trek kicks off November 4th in San Diego, and you can get tickets here.
Below you can get an exclusive look at the alternate cover featuring “The Trooper” as well as the front and back of the aforementioned collector’s card.
