As a longtime fan and avid gamer with a deep appreciation for music and comics, I couldn’t be more thrilled about Phil Collen’s upcoming graphic novel, “Hysteria.” Growing up in England during the 1960s and 70s, my love for American culture was fueled by the import of iconic comics like “Silver Surfer” and “The Hulk.” These stories transported me to new worlds and ignited my imagination.
During his teenage years in England, Phil Collen developed a strong fascination with American culture. He found himself deeply influenced by both rock and blues music. However, what captivated the Def Leppard guitarist most during the 1960s was the influx of American comics that started appearing in London stores.
In these shops is where Colleen acquired the initial issues of “Silver Surfer” number 1, penned by Stan Lee and John Buscema, and “The Hulk” number 3, also written by Lee with Jack Kirby. He continues to keep these treasured editions safe in his London residence, inside a protective case. The Hulk was amongst Colleen’s most beloved comics, sharing the spotlight with Batman.
“Colleen expresses his enthusiasm for it and its unique atmosphere during a Zoom call from Nashville,” he shares, momentarily stepping away from Leppard’s tour for the Summer Stadium Tour featuring Journey, Cheap Trick, and The Steve Miller Band.
From now on, Colleen will have the opportunity to leave his mark on comic culture. As a band member since the 1982 success “Pyromania,” the guitarist has collaborated on writing a graphic novel that merges his music background with his passion for horror.
In spring 2025, Vault Comics will release a graphic novel titled “Hysteria” under their Headshell imprint. This is the second collaboration between Vault and recording artists, with Metallica, Slash, and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy being some notable names on the list. The album by the same name from 1987, which is still a best-seller, inspires this publication.
In this chilling tale of rock ‘n’ roll, titled “Hysteria,” we encounter Foz, the enigmatic lead singer of the up-and-coming band Darkside. After inheriting her late father’s estate, she stumbles upon an old guitar with vague recollections from her past. This guitar, however, is no ordinary instrument; it was crafted from cursed wood during ancient Mesopotamian times and has a sinister presence. The guitar whispers to Foz, enticing her with the allure of fame and success.
“According to Vault CEO Damian Wassel, who played a role in assembling the creative team for this graphic novel, the tale (Phil) wouldn’t be able to express through a Def Leppard song, taking listeners to new and unexplored musical territories, is beautifully conveyed on its pages.”
Eliot Rahal, known for his past work on “Bleed Them Dry” at Vault, collaborated on the graphic novel’s script. Meanwhile, Alex Schlitz, with a background in drawing short stories for collections like “YULE: Dreadful Tales for the Holiday Season” and “Sagas of the Shield Maiden Vol. 2,” is responsible for the illustrations. Fabi Marques contributes to the project as the colorist, while Andworld Design handles the lettering.
Colen described the co-writing experience as being similar to collaborating with musical bandmates. According to him, “It brought back memories of composing songs with someone you have a strong connection with.” He continued, “We’d exchange suggestions like, ‘How about this?’ or ‘Let’s try this line.’ And we’d build upon it together, just as bandmates do during rehearsals and performances.”
He comments, “When you stumble upon something exciting, it eludes you, and you become a part of its wake. I must admit, it was truly inspiring.”
When collaborating with Schlitz for the first time, I was reminded of the same sensation I’ve experienced before – she makes her graphic novel debut here after having worked primarily in the realm of anthology shorts.
Hysteria will be released in both standard and deluxe versions. In keeping with a classic rock ‘n’ roll concert experience, merchandise such as Dark Side T-shirts will be available for purchase. Additionally, Vault had a unique guitar crafted specifically for Collen, which he will reveal during this summer’s tour.
Check out a preview below.
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2024-07-23 22:25