After their run with Collapser came to a close in late 2019, Mikey Way & Shaun Simon went immediately back to work, recruiting artist Toby Cypress. The result is ELECTRIC CENTURY; a riveting and mind-bending journey through a world that compliments the music for Way’s second LP with the band Electric Century.
Johnny Ashford, former sitcom-star, drives drunk through a storefront and gets arrested. His aspiring actress girlfriend bails him out and he begins seeing a hypnotherapist. Dr. Evers sends Johnny to his “happy place”: 1980’s Atlantic City, where he relives his childhood on the boardwalk, hardly noticing shadowy specters all around. Johnny’s addiction shifts from alcohol to his hypnotic trips to the boardwalk and the Electric Century casino, which satisfies his desire for fame. He discovers a way to stay there. In the real world, his girlfriend’s search for him leads her to Dr. Evers, who offers her a free session, and Johnny meets her on a beach by the boardwalk—her own “happy place.” Johnny brings her to his boardwalk, only to discover its true nature. Johnny must find a way to save himself and his girlfriend, and escape the Electric Century.
“I’m delighted to announce this book!” says Mikey Way. “The genesis of the story has been many years in the making, created with some of my closest friends. Getting to bring the two things I am most passionate about together – comics & music – has been exciting, challenging, and unbelievably rewarding. I’ve been waiting to tell this type of story about my home state for a long time. I truly hope everyone enjoys it.”
“After I read Young Animal’s Collapser series last year, I was blown away.” says Z2’s Josh Frankel. “When the opportunity came about to collaborate with Shaun and Mikey on something for Z2, it was a no brainer. Little did I know that it would not only lead to one of our best books so far, but what is sure to be one of the best comics of the year. Period.”
Shaun Simon says, “I couldn’t be happier working with Mikey again and especially at Z2, a publisher with a firm base in the world of music and culture centric books, that values quality over quantity. Toby Cypress has become one of my favourite artists over the past few years. It’s an incredible honour to work with such a talent and watch him bring this world to life with us.”
Mikey Way, best known for his accomplishments in the music world, is no stranger to writing and creating. Shaun Simon quickly became a name in comics on the True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, which was released in close proximity to Electric Centuryartist Toby Cypress’s acclaimed series The White Suits, and tied directly to the album of the same name. A fitting basis for the team to collaborate on Electric Century.
“The team I’m working with is inspiring, and killing it on the script” says artist Toby Cypress. “I grew up in many of the areas the story takes place along the Jersey Beaches and casinos. This project is turning into a love letter to those amazing times back in the 80s.”
Electric Century’s new album and corresponding graphic will be released in finer comic shops, book and record stores everywhere in September, with a special deluxe limited edition available for pre-order exclusively through both Z2’s website.