In the grand tradition established by Z2, the Vulgar Display of Power 30th anniversary graphic novel unites famous fans of the band throughout comics and music to team up on adaptations of all eleven of the album's tracks. Creators including Alan Robert (Life of Agony), Eric Peterson (Testament), Keith Buckley (Every Time I Die), Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Ryan J. Downey (MTV News), Tony Lee (Dr. Who) and illustrators Paul Booth, Erik Rodriguez, Ryan Kelly, Steve Chanks, Kevin Mellon, John Pearson and Danijel Zezelj will each offer a unique interpretation inspired by the lyrics and music to create a whole new way to experience this landmark work of heavy art.
Mellon attended Blue Springs South High School and is a graduate of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Arts. He broke into the comics industry in 2007 with the publication of Gearhead, which was written by Kansas City's Dennis Hopeless. Mellon and Hopeless also collaborated on Lovestruck.
In 2011, Mellon teamed with television personality Blair Butler for Heart, a four-issue limited set in the world of mixed martial arts.
John has built a reputation as an inimitable talent through his varied portfolio producing bespoke illustrations for clients as diverse as Image Comics, Titan Comics, 2000 AD, Heavy Metal Magazine, 44Flood, Vice Press, WWE, Rue Morgue Magazine, The Ray Harryhausen Foundation, Nuclear Blast Records and Kendall Calling Festival amongst many others. He is also an award-shortlisted comic book artist, self-publishing - with co-creator Owen Michael Johnson - the critically-acclaimed series Beast Wagon which The Guardian described as a 'twisted zoological fable'.
John fuses traditional drawing techniques, digital painting and collage to produce highly-detailed and darkly compelling images across a range of printed media. Combining elements of photorealism, popular culture, abstraction and psychedelia to create a unique style and versatility in approach that appeals to a wide spectrum of audiences.
John has exhibited in the UK and USA, organised extensive art experiences across the country, and produced live murals at high profile events both independently and as part of Leeds based art collectives."
Bell has had the opportunity to work with many notable and diverse artists throughout his career, including acclaimed graphic artists Dave McKean and Ben Templesmith, to create artwork for the Fear Factory albums, Demanufacture, Obsolete, and Transgression. In 2015 Bell worked with UK artist Noel Guard to create his first graphic novel, The Industrialist, which subsequently sold out upon release.
Bell is currently working on his conceptual music project, Ascension of The Watchers, as well as new writing projects, and creative endeavors in various mediums. www.burtoncbell.com
With a drawing style that's been described as Disney meets Mad Magazine, Steve Chanks has inked his way into such mags as Maxim, Revolver, and Guitar World and has clothed the fans of bands like Mastodon, Lamb of God, Trivium and Avenged Sevenfold.
Along with his best buds, Josh Bernstein and Erik Rodriquez, Steve Chanks is a pivotal member of the art mafia know as The #Number Foundation who are solely responsible for the ever politically uncorrect trash culture rag, Royal Flush Magazine.
Steve lives in scenic Queens, New York with his heart throb wife, Jessica and their Justin Beiber-hating daughter, Claudia where they enjoy short walks, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, crap collecting and BBQing.
Most recently he has been working for various publishers including Vertigo, DC, IDW, Marvel and Titan Books.