Classic Dio Album Getting Its Own Graphic Novel

Courtesy: Z2 Comics

Comic publisher Z2 is paying tribute to rock legend Ronnie James Dio.

The music-based comics company is scheduled to publish a new graphic novel centered on Dio’s album Holy Diver next year.  Writer Steve Niles will write the graphic novel’s story, which is based on the album’s cover art.  Scott Hampton will take on the project’s artwork.

Niles was humble as he talked about writing the graphic novel’s story.

“I’m so excited to be writing this book,” he said. “I hope I do Ronnie James Dio justice.”

RJD’s widow Wendy explained the concept behind the 120-page story in a recent interview.

“Steve Niles tells the story behind the album cover ‘Holy Diver,’ a story about how you can’t judge a picture by the way it appears, which is what Ronnie wrote many times in his songs; that you have to see inside the person and not judge them by the way they look or by what they wear,” says Wendy Dio. “Together with Scott Hampton’s amazing artwork they tell the story of ‘Holy Diver,’and I know Ronnie would have given his stamp of approval on this great graphic novel.”

Z2 Publisher Josh Frankel said in his own comments, he was looking forward to the publication of the graphic novel.

“We have managed to work with some of the greatest legends in both comics and music, and a Dio graphic novel with a cover by the great Bill Sienkiewicz perhaps sums that up best,” said Frankel. “This is one of the most iconic heavy metal album covers in history. We are honored to pay tribute to the originator of the universal sign of the music that he has inspired since he first took the stage with Black Sabbath 40 years ago. Working with Wendy Dio directly to ensure it is true to his vision is the next best thing to working with Ronnie James Dio himself, and we have hit a new high note with this one!”

Pre-orders are open now for Dio: Holy Diver.

More information on Dio: Holy Diver is available along with all of the latest Ronnie James Dio news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://ronniejamesdio.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio

Twitter: http://twitter.com/OfficialRJDio

 

 

 

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