10 musicians with breathtaking graphic novels to add to your reading list

Music and comic books have always rendezvoused on the idea of examining flaws of a society and challenging ideals and archetypes through compelling storytelling and artistic expression. 

From BABYMETAL to Gerard Way, a handful of comic-obsessed musicians are rendering their imagination into a visual narrative, reeling us into their creative world aside from music. Here are 10 graphic novels you need to check out by your favorite artists. 

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1. The Ghost Of Ohio

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While Andy Black’s second solo album focused on his experiences growing up in Southwest Ohio, the accompanying comic tells the tale of a ghost protagonist who backtracks his own mysterious death. Unraveling themes of love, death and retribution, the ghost journeys through various characters and attempts to fight his way back to life.

2. Skin&Earth 

Lights’ Skin&Earth is a concept album based on her fantasy comic series of the same name. The narrative follows a girl seeking hope and venturing on a path of self-discovery in a post-apocalyptic world as she encounters love, cults, gods and mortals. Each track on the album corresponds to one of the six issues in the series. She also recently released Skin&Earth Acoustic, which featured songs that were recorded in natural locations from the comics.

3. The Twisted Tales Of The Ritalin Club 

YUNGBLUD’s upcoming graphic novel, The Twisted Tales Of The Ritalin Club, lures readers into his wicked dystopian fantasy. The plot centers on the pupils of Blackhearts Boarding School where YUNGBLUD runs the infamous Ritalin Club. Strict rules are enforced at the institution, and failure to comply results in execution. YUNGBLUD recently shared character sketches, and the graphic novel will be released Oct. 15. 

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4. Genesis One: A Poppy Graphic Novel 

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“Is she a girl? Is she a machine? Is she humanity’s redemption or its damnation?”—these are the burning questions we’ve all had about the eccentric pop phenomenon Poppy. Following her 2017 parody of the Bible (The Gospel Of Poppy), Genesis One reveals her origins and the creation of her identity. The graphic novel is also accompanied by an ambient soundtrack, i c u (music to read to), for readers to listen to while reading.

5. Orchid

Written by Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello, Orchid explores the societal collapse of a future dystopian world from the eyes of Orchid, a 16-year-old prostitute. Morello introduces us to a crumbling post-apocalyptic society where the rich harvest on the poor, and the helpless are left to fend for themselves. Amid the mayhem, Orchid learns her self-worth and the horrors of political corruption. 

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6. September Mourning

September Mourning started out as Emily Lazar and Marc Silvestri’s dark fantasy comic series of the same name. The plot focuses on a half-reaper, half-human, September Mourning, and her mystical adventures in a realm where reapers prey on the souls of the living. Focusing on Mourning’s inner conflict between good and evil, Lazar further expands the story arc and its themes with her hard-rock project. 

7. The Umbrella Academy

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From the genius mind of Gerard Way, The Umbrella Academy first made its debut in 2007 with Apocalypse Suite, introducing the fascinating story of a dysfunctional superhero family. Over the years, the comic book series gained a cult following among fans and the MCRmy, leading to a Netflix adaptation in 2019. Last month, Dark Horse Comics announced a card game based on the series via a Kickstarter campaign launching early 2020. 

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8. Eden: A Skillet Graphic Novel

Featuring all four members of Skillet, Eden follows John and Korey Cooper’s quest to save their family and town. Joined by bandmates Jen Ledger and Seth Morrison, the hard-rock quartet venture through desolate wastelands and the fallen cities of Tennessee in search of hope, redemption and answers. The graphic novel hits shelves Aug. 27. 

9. Apocrypha: The Legend Of Babymetal

Apocrypha unveils the epic timeline of the BABYMETAL universe and their long-fought battle between the Vulture God. The premise is centered on the metal trio fighting the world’s antagonistic forces as descendants of the Fox God, traveling through different time periods to conquer evil and save the world.

10. Strange Times: The Curse Of Superstition Mountain

Tom DeLonge’s obsession with aliens and the cosmos is made apparent with his adventurous enterprise in To The Stars Academy and the Sekret Machines series. Putting his conspiracy-ridden, galactic affinities aside, Strange Times: The Curse Of Superstition Mountain is a fun comic about kids documenting paranormal activities, with plenty of DeLonge’s classic profane humor and hilarity.