The 20th anniversary of the death of Kurt Cobain is coming in a matter of days, and what better way to celebrate his deathless musical legacy that with a… comic book!?
Saturday 5th April marks two decades since the Nirvana frontman’s passing and the new Kurt Cobain comic is being released just days before from American publishers Blue Water Productions.
Don’t worry, it doesn’t re-imagine Cobain as a cape-wearing, muscle-bound hero leaping from building to building and battling super-villains, instead as Billboard details, the comic is a sobering piece that commemorates Cobain’s life and work.
The comic biography, written and drawn by Jayfri Hashim, will focus on retelling the early days of the Nirvana main-man’s career and chronicling the band’s swift rise to international ubiquity as figureheads of the grunge era. It won’t shy away from the darker subject matter either, focussing on the mental and emotional turmoil that Cobain struggled in tandem with his fame before ending it all at the age of 27.
The comic biography is actually part of Blue Water’s ‘Tribute’ series, an ongoing collection of graphic novels that’s previously covered the lives of other deceased musical icons like Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and John Lennon, as well as those still alive and rocking, like Paul McCartney and Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Don’t worry, it doesn’t re-imagine Cobain as a cape-wearing, muscle-bound hero…
“The Tribute line of comic books tells the stories of people that have made a significant difference in the world while they were with us,” says Bluewater publisher Darren G. Davis. “It is a way for us to honor these people who have made a difference in the world.” Bluewater is already planning forthcoming ‘Tributes’ to Queen’s Freddie Mercury and members of Monty Pyton.
“Not only is this a great way to understand the importance of his contribution to music, but it is a great tool for kids to read about him in a different medium. Our biography comic books are now taught in schools and libraries for students and reluctant readers.” Bluewater
Digital copies of Tribute: Kurt Cobain will be available on 2nd April from the likes of Google Play, iTunes, and other eBook retailers. Physical copies will also appear on comic book shelves, with print pre-orders available now from Comic Flea Market, who also have a short preview of the comic (view below).
As far as tributes go, the comic is a damn sight more tasteful than this awful commercial that disrespected Cobain and other deceased music icons by imagining them live and drunk on a beach somewhere – in order to sell beer. Better to remember Cobain for the influence he’s had on countless musicians, such as Kawehi, a one-woman bedroom producer who recently re-worked ‘Heart Shaped Box’ to mind-blowing effect. Heck, Cobain’s even been the idol to a long list of rappers and hip hop stars.
