Z2 and Felipe Sobriero are on a mission from God. Or possibly Chicago. On the 45th anniversary of the day The Blues Brothers movie was released – June 20, 1980 – Z2 is partnering with the Ackroyd and Belushi families for a whole array of music and merchandise to tie-in with the Blue Brother movie sequel in comics form: THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE.
For those who have only heard tell of the legends – or possibly not caught the OG on Netflix – The Blues Brothers starred Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi as two besuited blues musicians who go on a quest to raise money to save the orphanage they were raised in. Along the way hijinks ensue. THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE picks up the story in 1997, with a web of mysteries tied to previously unseen Blues Brothers adventures.
And here’s the first look inside the graphic novel by written by Stella Aykroyd, Luke Pisano and James Werner with artist Felipe Sobriero and editorial oversight by Dan Aykroyd.
But that is not all! there will be a companion album of music, uncovered by the late Judy Belushi Pisano, of unreleased songs by Jake and Elwood Blues. Sidepeople on the project include Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Steve “The Colonel” Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Paul “The Shiv” Shaffer, Lou “Blue Lou” Marini, Tom “Bones” Malone, Alan “Mr. Fabulous” Rubin, Steve “GETDWA” Jordan, and Tom “Triple Scale” Scott. The album features unheard versions of blues classics including “Hey Bartender,” “Rubber Biscuit,” and “Green Onions.”
But you will only get this album as a Royal Blue-colored vinyl release, packaged with THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE.
To celebrate the 45th anniversary today, Z2 is also releasing a series of high-quality Blues Brothers apparel. The first two designs from this capsule collection feature the art of Felipe Sobreiro and are available exclusively today on Z2comics.com.
And here’s a preview of the graphic novel:
And here’s a peek at the 13 unreleased tracks featured on The Blues Brothers: The Lost Recordings Royal Blue Vinyl LP:
SIDE A
- “Welcome”
- “Flip, Flop & Fly”
3.”Hey Bartender”
- “Messin’ With The Kid”
- “(I Got Everything I Need) Almost”
- “Rubber Biscuit”
- “Shot Gun Blues”
SIDE B
- “I Don’t Know”
- “Groove Me”
- “Excusez Moi Mon Cherie”
- “Soul Man”
- “B Movie Box Car Blues”
- “Green Onions”
The Deluxe Edition of The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake as well as the Dan Akyroyd-signed, limited Platinum Editions, which include the oversized hardcover with slipcase, the exclusive vinyl, a Blues Brothers engraved harmonica, and Jake and Elwood Blues collector cards are all available for pre-order on Z2Comics.com. Both the Deluxe and Platinum Editions feature a new cover and slipcase with exclusive art by Felipe Sobreiro. All Hardcover, Deluxe and Platinum Editions have a October 7th in-store retail date., but fans will get them ahead of time.
Standard editions of THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE are available for pre-order via Z2Comics.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, UltimateClassicRock.com as well as many other fine independent book, comic, and record stores.
