Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA announces first comic book

Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA has announced his first foray into comic books. ‘Bobby Digital and The Pit of Snakes’ will be published in May 2022 by Z2 Comics. 

The title nods to the artist’s alter-ego, which debuted in 1998 via the album ‘Bobby Digital in Stereo’. Orchestral harmonies and experimental beats dominated the record, which was influenced by comic books. Now its central character is being expanded on significantly by way of his own back story. 

“Out of all my creative personas and alter egos Bobby Digital is probably the best fit, for comics and graphic novels. It’s a pleasure for me to collaborate with Z2 Comics and bring this lush world of creativity into the comic space. The readers are going to be hit with something they never seen coming,” RZA said of the project. 

In terms of themes, the book will ask questions relating to perceptions of reality — the reader’s and Bobby Digital’s —  with a psychological edge to the narrative. Not to mention the small matter of a dangerous adventure involving a pit of snakes. The work is produced alongside White Noise Studio member Ryan O’Sullivan and Sound & Fury artist Vasilis Lolos, and will land in soft and hardcover formats. 

“RZA has always shown himself to be a Swiss Army Knife of creativity, elevating every medium he touches, and to be able to help bring an already existing comic-music hybrid such as Bobby Digital to the page is amazing. I think everyone will be equally amazed at the result,” said Josh Frankel, Publisher and CEO at Z2 Comics. 

The imprint has already collaborated with a host of musicians on graphic novels, including Cypress Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, and Major Lazer. Meanwhile, it has also been called in for album tie-ins for the likes of The Doors, Anthrax, and Public Enemy.