THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE
June 20, 1980 - A day that changed comedy forever. With the release of The Blues Brothers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd unleashed a film that would thrill and entertain generations with their Mission From God. Now, exactly 45 years later, Z2 has partnered with the Aykroyd and Belushi families and estate to deliver the sequel to that film in the original graphic novel, THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE.
Uncovered by the late Judy Belushi Pisano, this series of unreleased recordings is a rare musical glimpse at Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues at the height of their blues powers. Belushi and Aykroyd blast through a 13-song set with some of the greatest musicians who ever lived. The gang is all here, as Blues Brothers legends Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Steve “The Colonel” Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Paul “The Shiv” Shaffer, Lou “Blue Lou” Marini, Tom “Bones” Malone, Alan “Mr. Fabulous” Rubin, Steve “GETDWA” Jordan, and Tom “Triple Scale” Scott show why this band is timeless. The album features unheard versions of blues classics including “Hey Bartender,” “Rubber Biscuit,” and “Green Onions.” This album will be available exclusively as a Royal Blue-colored vinyl release, packaged with THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE.
Blues Brothers founder and creator Dan “Elwood Blues” Aykroyd shares “In this wonderful form of printed artistic expression we get to continue the legend of Jake and Elwood and pass it forward in ways that film can't. This graphic novel keeps the spirit of The Blues Brothers alive; mischievous recidivists, musical outlaws who above everything, care about the Blues. The quest for the Briefcase, full of unearthed lyrics and music from the greats, is an honorable Grail. The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake is a passing of the legacy to the next generation, echoing the true heart of our original story - keeping alive what should not be forgotten.”
Written by Stella Aykroyd, Luke Pisano and James Werner with artist Felipe Sobriero, The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake picks up 10 years after the events in the 1980 film, and serves as a love letter to the Blues Brothers. Joliet Jake has disappeared from prison… but has he committed the unthinkable jailbreak, or was he kidnapped? A new cast of characters are now on their own mission to find Jake and the mythical Briefcase Full of Blues. Along the way, they’ll be helped by familiar faces, as well as thwarted by enemies (Illinois Nazis will forever be a struggle it seems), as they careen through Chicago leaving chaos and laughter in their wake. With editorial oversight and a brand new foreword by Dan Aykroyd, the utmost care has been taken to ensure that this new chapter is true to the classic skits, legendary film, and iconic albums. The result is a wild and entertaining ride for both longtime fans, and those new to the world of Jake and Elwood Blues.
To honor the 45th anniversary of the Blues Brothers movie premier and the Lost Recordings being released, Z2 has created a series of high-quality Blues Brothers apparel. The first two designs from this capsule collection feature the art of Felipe Sobreiro and are available exclusively today on Z2comics.com
Standard editions of THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE are available now via Z2comics.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, UltimateClassicRock.com as well as many other fine independent book, comic, and record stores.