Long Beach reggae rock/ska punk band Sublime has partnered with Z2 Comics for a new original graphic novel, Sublime: $5 at the Door.
An anthology described as "Xanadu meets Superbad," Sublime: $5 at the Door is slated to arrive this June and is currently available for pre-order. The 120-page graphic novel comes from writer Ryan Cady (Future State: Green Lantern) alongside such artist as Audrey Mok (Josie and the Pussycats), Alex Diotto (Youth), Hayden Sherman (Angel & Spike), Logan Faerber ('Namwolf), Bill Masuku and Robert Ahmad, among others. It will also feature covers by longtime Sublime artists Opie Ortiz and DJ Product.
"The laid-back Long Beach trio spawned an entire genre -- fusing reggae grooves, punk grittiness, ska energy, back-porch folk introspection and hip-hop swagger," Z2 said of Sublime in its official release. "Those disparate sounds first collided back in 1988, when the gregarious Bradley Nowell paired up with a sturdy, simpatico rhythm section -- bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh -- and quickly amassed a cult following in the SoCal scene. Sublime found their niche at house parties: uniting Rastas, surfers, skaters, frat boys, cholos and ink-covered outcasts with a free-flowing melting pot approach that, much like the region itself, was impossible to pigeonhole."
"We knew the band's iconic music always had the added elements behind it of their history of hijinks, anti-authority attitude and follow-no-rules lifestyle, and this combination would make for an amazing comic book the fans would cherish," said Sublime manager Scott Seine "So a Z2 Comics collaboration was a no-brainer."
Additionally, writer Cady spoke to his history with the band's music. "When you grow up in SoCal like I did, Sublime's music is this powerful background radiation, permeating the culture," he said. "You hear it everywhere. Opie's sun is everywhere -- stickers of it slapped on taco stand walls, sharpie-tagged inside of every high school bathroom, screen-printed in every possible iteration. I saw these guys like neighbors, and as I research the human moments underneath their phenomenon with Bud and Eric, I get to share that feeling with everyone who picks up the book."
"The gritty California sounds of Sublime transcended location and musical genres to foster a state of mind in listeners from coast to coast and beyond," added publisher Josh Frankel. "Our book will highlight Sublime’s vast musical influences and behind-the-scenes stories, all centered around the unbreakable bonds of friendship, and continuing in the tradition of essential graphic biopics we established with our Grateful Dead and Charlie Parker releases last year."
Multiple different editions of Sublime: $5 at the Door can be pre-ordered. First off is the standard edition softcover, which retails for $24.99 USD. There is also the standard edition hardcover, which features alternate cover art and retails for $39.99. Meanwhile, the $99.99 Deluxe Edition includes a hardcover copy of the book, plus a slipcase, a "Doin' Time" vinyl LP and three exclusive art prints. Finally, the $199.99 Super Deluxe Edition includes all of that, and adds an exclusive new "Lou Dog" art sleeve for the LP, a limited edition Lou Dog vinyl figure and two additional art prints.
Nowell, Wilson and Gaugh formed Sublime in 1988, with Nowell's pet Dalmatian, Lou Dog, serving as the band's mascot. Sublime released its debut studio album, 40oz. to Freedom, in 1992. The band's second album, Robbin' the Hood, came out in 1994. Sublime came to an end in its original form following Nowell's death in May of 1996. The band's third and final album, simply titled Sublime, released two months later. Despite Nowell's untimely passing, Z2 notes that the band remains "an institution," having sold "over 20 million albums to date."
Written by Ryan Cady and illustrated by Audrey Mok, Alex Diotto, Hayden Sherman, Logan Faerber, Bill Masuku, Robert Ahmad and more, Sublime: $5 at the Door is slated to arrive this June from Z2 Comics.