Dark Horse Books has announced Spinal Cord, a new original graphic novel it calls a “love letter to heavy metal and bone-chilling horror.”
Spinal Cord hails from writer David Braña and artist Pahito. Per Dark Horse, the 200-page OGN arrives in bookstores on Tuesday, September 10 — and in comic shops on Wednesday, September 11. According to the Oregon-based publisher, Braña and Pahito’s “coming-of-age” story is perfect for other music-themed comics like The Roadie, Festival, and Cold Iron.
Check out the cover art for Spinal Cord below:
What is Spinal Cord about?
An official synopsis for Spinal Cord reads as follows: “The members of the heavy metal band Spinal Cord dream of making it big in the music world. When they are selected to participate in a prestigious touring competition sponsored by the famous metal label Pain Records, they jump at the chance to prove themselves. What they don’t know is that the horrors haunting their journey are very, very real, and the contest will challenge more than just their musical talent. In fact, it will alter their very perception of reality…”
Braña and Pahito discuss the new graphic novel
“The idea of Spinal Cord had been in my head for a long time,” Braña said. “I wanted to write about a music band trying to make its way in today’s complicated industry. Pahito and I both love metal music, so after talking, the creative sparks flew for Spinal Cord. It has been a pleasure to travel Route 666 in his company. We have paid a well-deserved tribute to the music and we have let ourselves be carried away on an adventure with different styles of horror, with characters who feel and suffer and who try to achieve their dreams, like most of us. Now I just hope readers enjoy this journey too!”
“When David asked me, ‘Do you like heavy metal? Because I want you to draw a comic about a band facing zombies, vampires, and other monsters,’ I had to pause Chaos A.D. by Sepultura, because I was so excited that I couldn’t listen to music and read at the same time,” Pahito added. “All the fantastical elements that I like the most come together in this project. Right away I began to develop a great affection for the protagonists, their stories, and their motivations. As every successful band needs a dynamic relationship between its members, a good story needs action, terror, heavy metal, and a lot of friendship.”
Spinal Cord goes on sale in September 2024 from Dark Horse books.
