Although his career was brief, Jimi Hendrix is considered one of the most important musicians of all time. Indeed, a display in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as “the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.” Now, the legendary guitarist is being reimagined as a cosmic superhero in a new graphic novel from Titan Comics.
The comic, titled Purple Haze, reimagines Jimi Hendrix as an interstellar freedom fighter. The book finds the rock star undertaking a dangerous quest to the center of the universe. Jimi seeks a magic talisman reputed to hold the key to unlocking the true power of music. He requires this power to free an alien world from a tyrant hellbent on silencing music and enslaving all life.
Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze has been produced in collaboration with Jimi’s sister, Janie Hendrix, and is officially licensed by Authentic Hendrix, LLC. The story by Mellow Brown and DJ BenHaMeen draws deeply on the traditions of both classic pulp and Afro-futurism. This, teamed with the psychedelic artwork of Tom Mandrake and colors of Justin Prokowich, captures the same themes of magic, hope, and rebellion that informed Hendrix’s music.
Five unlettered but fully colored art preview pages from the book can be viewed below:
Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze Variant Covers
Beyond providing the art for Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze, Tom Mandrake has produced multiple covers for the graphic novel. One cover will be exclusive to comic book retailers and not available trough traditional bookstores. There will also be a special wraparound cover edition of the regular cover.
All three variant covers may be viewed below:
Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze arrives in comic shops everywhere on July 30, 2024.