During the last decades of history, art as a whole often mixes its different expressions with each other.
The reasons are many! The main ones are:
- The release of art from the living rooms of the rich and those in power,
- Its accessibility to many and
- The evolution of technology together with its mass exploitation.
In fact, when art “escaped” from its golded cages, it went out into the “street”, with only one wish …
To gain new experiences!
Pop culture became the most popular expression of this mix.
On the other hand, Rock / Metal music, trying to escape from the gray, with pink shades of everyday life, explored many imaginary worlds.
And her encounter with the 9th Art was something to be expected.
It is known that the art of comics (graphic novels), loved this music more than any other.
However, the artists themselves, obviously wanting to enhance the imaginative element in their image, created their own comics.
Let’s take a look at some bands, which decided to share themselves with the 9th Art …
GWAR
The American Heavy Metal band is definitely not for an award nor did it change the music in the three and a half decades of its existence.
Nevertheless, their stage appearance, as well as their lyrical themes, evoke imaginary worlds.
Of course, no big film studio is going to deal with their story, but the art of comics does not snob anyone.
The result of this encounter is the album, not musical, but as a graphic novel entitled: “GWAR: Orgasmageddon“, which was released in 2017.
Its plot tells the story of the band, but also some isolated words of the band members.
Iron Maiden
The British band not only changed the history of music but gave new foundations to it.
They cleverly exploited the importance of the image, creating the now archetypal character of Eddie, who graced all their albums.
His presence in every live show became necessary and not unjust.
His normal course was to get into comic book pages. This was done with the series “Legacy Of The Beast“.
His action takes place in London, where we watch Eddie with a mysterious alchemist traveling to the East End in search of a killer.
Stone Sour
Corey Taylor’s creative prowess could not stop at two very successful bands or even books and a horror movie script.
So, a comic for the Stone Sour band, is not surprising, considering the inexhaustible beauty of the singer.
Their masterpiece “House Of Gold & Bones (I, II)” is the inspiration for the comic book of the same name.
The limited-edition comics is a mini-series consisting of 4 issues.
Its characters are real, and it actually goes deeper into the lyrical part of their music album.
Slayer
The gods of Thrash metal, in the west of their music career, have commercially exploited almost everything related to their music.
So, a comic was something to be expected, in order to complete the huge range of products, which are mentioned in the band.
Their last completed work was “Repentless” in 2015 and this is the title of the comic, which was released two years later.
It basically tells the story, which unfolds in the video clip of the title song album.
Its theme is no other than that of most of their songs: The dark side of the human psyche and how he handles his fellow man.
Butcher Babies
The Californian Butcher Babies may not have a huge discography, but the band of two frontwomen has certainly a future.
The multifaceted talent of the two singers they put forward to advance their careers when they started.
Carla Harvey and Heidi Shepherd, along with visual artist Anthony Winn, created a comic book, which also accompanied their debut EP.
The illustrated album became emblematic for the band’s fans.
In fact, to such an extent that many have adorned their bodies with images of it in the form of tattoos.
Of course, both singers star in it.
Coheed And Cambria
The New Yorkers Coheed And Cambria in their 25 years as a band, have gained several fanatical fans, but also fans of science fiction (sci-fi).
The reason is by no means accidental for both. Each of their albums is a concept with sci-fi themes.
But what each of their musical works tells is just a chapter from their frontman Claudio Sanchez comic.
A chapter from the comic book “The Amory Wars“, is a part of each of their albums.
Which narrates the adventures of two main characters and their fight for the title of “Supreme Tri-Mage“.
Alice Cooper
For Alice Cooper words are useless!
His artistic personality fits more into a fictional world from a comic book than into the petty reality that all other mortals live in.
And of course, he is the only (along with KISS) Hard Rocker, who appears on the cover of a Marvel issue.
Specifically, in a special edition of 1979, it is found by face and by name.
This issue was just the beginning of the singer’s subsequent collaboration with the well-known publishing house.
His music persona is also in a special edition of the Simpsons family adventure comics.
***
The ninth art is constantly evolving, just like music. Always centrifugal, just like a spiral.
It goes back to the past, through historical circles, but always improved.
New releases are constantly going public, but even the older ones are finding new readers.
Just like kids who discover things that their parents take for granted.