Z2 Revives Johnny Cash’s Forgotten Comic Book
Long before musicians turned their focus to graphic novels, Johnny Cash was already telling his story in sequential art. Now, a little-known artifact from the Man in Black’s creative history is getting a much-deserved second life.
Z2 Comics, in partnership with the Estate of Johnny Cash, is set to reissue Hello, I’m Johnny Cash, a comic book originally conceived and self-funded by Cash back in 1976. This 50th-anniversary edition is scheduled to hit comic shops on September 23rd, coinciding with Local Comic Shop Day.
The new edition will faithfully reproduce the original while adding fresh material and two newly commissioned covers. This reissue doesn’t just celebrate a piece of history; it delves into how Cash used the medium to communicate his powerful narrative to a young audience.
The original comic was a genuine creative project, born from Cash’s collaboration with writer Billy Zeoli. It demonstrated an early recognition of the power of visual storytelling, predating the widely publicized intersections of rock and comics that followed, such as Gene Simmons and KISS’s promotional work.
The original Spire Christian Comics edition featured artwork and a cover provided by the legendary Archie Comics artist, Al Hartley. It stands as a unique, autobiographical work, conceived to explore Cash’s spiritual beliefs and social concerns through sequential imagery.
Z2 president Josh Bernstein calls the project one of the earliest comics conceived from the creative vision of a major recording artist. It highlights how Cash recognized the potential of graphic storytelling decades before it became a thriving medium.
The updated edition expands this history, incorporating new interviews and recollections from John Carter Cash, alongside a historical examination of how the original comic came to fruition, detailed by comics writer and journalist Alex Segura. Chip Kidd and Tim Bradstreet have also contributed fresh cover variants to the celebratory release.
This opportunity allows fans to celebrate not only the enduring interest in Johnny Cash but also the creative depth that fueled his journey, turning a forgotten artifact into a landmark piece of rock history.
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