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Sheer art attack: Rock icon Freddie Mercury is getting his own graphic novel

The cover and interior painted art of the Freddie Mercury graphic novel

The life and times of legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury will be told in a lush new graphic novel – and there’s a limited edition with coloured vinyl coming too.

Freddie Mercury: Lover of Life, Singer of Songs is described as a journey through Freddie’s life, from his childhood in Zanzibar and India, through his formative years in England, and transformation into global rock star.

Written by Tres Dean (All Time Low Presents: Young Renegades), the graphic novel promises a biographical insight into the experiences that helped shape young Farrokh Bulsara.

Produced by Z2, in partnership with the Universal Music Group, the story is told in the singer’s own words, with each chapter giving a glimpse into the facets of his life.

Inspired by the book Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words,  compiled by Greg Brooks and Simon Lupton, this upcoming rock comic features the art of Kyla Smith, Robin Richardson, Safiya Zerrougui, Tammy Wang, and Amy Liu. The cover painting is by David Mack.

The graphic novel promises a biographical insight into the experiences that helped shape young Farrokh Bulsara…

The Deluxe version of the Freddie Mercury graphic novel with vinyl LP
We’re loving this Freddie Mercury graphic novel deluxe set

The perfect Christmas gift for a Queen fan?

Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words is available to preorder now and will be available in standard 136 page softcover and hardcover editions, and will land in comic book shops, book and record stores in November. 

Also available direct from Z2 will be a special hardcover deluxe edition (£71.72) complete with an exclusive magenta coloured vinyl LP of the album Never boring, and limited edition art prints by Sarah Jones, Kyla Smith, and Sanya Anwar.  

Of his career, Freddie said: “The music thing just grew and grew. I realised it was the biggest thing in my life and I decided to try and make my living from it.” 

Mercury partnered with Brian May and Roger Taylor while performing with his band Wreckage, the three eventually decided to play together. John Deacon joined the band in 1971.

It was Mercury that persuaded Roger Taylor and Brian May to change their name from Smile to Queen. “My concept of Queen was to be regal and majestic – no half measures.”

Queen’s titular debut album was released in 1973, an artful fusion of rock and prog. But it was the success of Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975 that was to secure them worldwide rock fame.  Queen’s Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium, on 13 July 1985, is widely recognised as one of the greatest live rock performances of all time.  

Z2 Comics specialises in music-related graphic novels, and has collaborated with The Gorillaz, Machine Gun Kelly, Sublime, Yungblud, Cypress Hill, Babymetal, Major Lazer, Rico Nasty and Paul Oakenfold. During 2021, Z2 will publish graphic novel tie-ins to essential albums by The Doors, Ronnie James Dio, All Time Low amongst others.

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Yahoo UK, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Ideal Home, Louder Sounds, Channel News and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK

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