Z2 Comics have announced “The Illustrated Al: The Songs of ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic,” a graphic novel featuring over 20 writers and artists’ takes on the music of the legendary comedy artist. The book will receive a foreword by comedian Emo Philips, who is currently opening for Yankovic on his second Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, and will include “Yankovisions” by the following creatives:
– Bill Plympton (Your Face, Guard Dog)
– Aaron Augenblick (Superjail!, Ugly Americans)
– Peter Bagge (“Hate,” “Neat Stuff”)
– Steve Chanks (Revolver Magazine)
– Felipe Sobreiro (“Luther Strode,” “Death’s Head”)
– Gideon Kendall (“Megaghost”)
– Michael Kupperman (“All the Answers,” The New Yorker)
– Ruben Bolling (“Tom the Dancing Bug,” “Super-Fun-Pak Comix”)
– Fred Harper (The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal)
– Ryan Dunlavey (“Action Philosophers”)
– R. Sikoryak (“The Unquotable Trump”)
– Jeff McClelland (“The Tick”) & Jeff McComsey (“The Fourth Man”)
– Hilary Barta (“Plastic Man”)
– Johnny Sampson (MAD Magazine)
– Tom Richmond (MAD Magazine, Cracked Magazine)
– Bob Fingerman (“Minimum Wage”)
– Wes Hargis, who previously illustrated Yankovic’s children’s books, When I Grow Up (2011) and My New Teacher and Me! (2013).
“It’s such an incredible honor to see my song lyrics brought to life by some of my all-time favorite cartoonists and illustrators,” Yankovic says in the press release. “I’ve actually been playing the long game — the only reason I spent four decades in the music business is so that one day I could have my very own graphic novel.”
Z2 CEO Josh Bernstein adds, “I don’t remember a time in my life before ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and, frankly, I don’t want to. His music, lyrics, artistry, and humor have been a constant influence in my career. Having Z2 assemble this all-star roster of the greatest living cartoonists to collaborate with ‘Weird Al’ has been a dream come true. I hope both new and long-time Al-fanatics appreciate the love, care, and insane art that is going into this project. As always, we ‘dare to be stupid.'”
“The Illustrated Al” will be released in late November, with a standard edition cover by MAD Magazine veteran Drew Friedman, and oversized deluxe edition cover art by “Madman” creators Mike and Laura Allred. You can check the full details and prices for each edition — including a hand-signed super deluxe edition — at Z2’s pre-order page.
