We're ready to rock right into 1960s Los Angeles with Black Tape. This new original mystery comic series from AWA Studios tells the fictional story of miscreant and rock idol Jack King across four issues. In the middle of performing at a sold-out show, King simply... drops dead. Penned by award-winning comic creator Dan Panosian (Iron Man, Wolverine) and illustrated by acclaimed international artist Dalibor Talajiæ (Deadpool, Logan), Black Tape highlights the best of horror, heavy metal, and takes us on a journey through 1960s Los Angeles while attempting to uncover what happened to the rock’n’roll legend.
When Jack King dies suddenly at the height of his musical reign and his cause of death comes with neither rhyme nor reason, subsequent events paint a picture of a singing superstar caught in a web of lies, addiction, and even the unholy powers of the occult. What really happened to Jack King and the legendary, never-released final album called “Black Tape” that King produced shortly before his death? Will his widow Cindy be able to protect his legacy as she mourns her loss? With the intersection of music, Hollywood, the 60s, counterculture, Satanic Panic, detective stories, and the supernatural, BLACK TAPE unravels the mystery behind the lost album, Jack King’s death, and who had the most to gain by making sure the iconic rocker never performed again.
Dan Panosian, creator and writer of Black Tape is "A big fan of horror films like The Omen, Rosemary’s Baby, and basically anything from the ‘60s and ’70s because it was a fascinating time for music and culture." Panosian adds, “Though I’ve spent the majority of my career as an artist within the world of comics, this was a story I was excited to tell as a writer, and I’m so thankful I’ve been able to work with AWA Studios to bring this story to life with them. Combine ‘60s Rock’n’Roll, a little horror, and the Crime Noir genre, and you’ve got Black Tape.”
Black Tape's rock’n’roll god projects a stage persona on par with the devil. After Jack dies on stage, his widow, Cindy, grapples with grief and struggles to protect his legacy, unaware that she is being surrounded by dark forces that covet the master tapes to Jack’s final, unreleased heavy metal masterpiece that just might open a doorway to hell.
Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of AWA Studios, Axel Alonso says, “I’ve been working with Dan since my days at Marvel, and while he’s traditionally published his work as a comic artist, I knew he needed to flex his writing muscles after he shared his idea for Black Tape." “Dan has an amazing story here, and we’re so proud of the work he’s delivered as a writer. This series takes big swings, and the art and storytelling make for a great match.” Take a peek inside Black Tape below.
Black Tape is written by Dan Panosian, illustrated by Dalibor Talajiæ, colored by Ive Svorcina (King Thor, Conan), and lettered by Steve Wands (Aquaman, Supergirl). Issue #1 will be available February 1, 2023, both digitally and in stores wherever comic books are sold, with the following four issues available on a monthly basis. For more information on Black Tape and other content, visit AWA Studios on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and AWAStudios.net.
