Imagine a mysterious and powerful rock star whose life ended on stage in a blaze of glory. Now imagine that rock star had an album so powerful they might open the gates of hell. That is Dan Panosian‘s latest comic, Black Tape #1.

Jack King was a rock’n’roll god who projected a stage persona on par with the devil. After Jack dies on stage, his widow, Cindy, grapples with grief and struggles to protect his legacy, unaware that she is being surrounded by dark forces that covet the master tapes to Jack’s final, unreleased album – a heavy metal masterpiece that just might open a doorway to hell.

Written by Panosian (Alice Ever After, Prophet) with illustrations from Dalibor Talajić (Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe), colors by Ive Svorcina and lettering from Steve Wands, Black Tape #1 hits local comic shops on February 1, 2023.

At its core, Black Tape is about overcoming grief and protecting someone’s legacy. We follow Cindy, Jack King’s widow, who is trying to cope with his death while also being surrounded by dark forces determined to get their hands on the master tapes for Jack’s final album. Despite all odds, Cindy must find a way to protect Jack’s legacy from those who would use it for evil purposes.

The artwork in Black Tape is nothing short of spectacular. Both Talajić and Svorcina capture the mood perfectly, creating an atmosphere full of tension and mystery. Every page is filled with vivid colors and detailed illustrations that bring each character and scene to life. In addition, Wands’ lettering adds an extra level of emotion to the story as it unfolds.

The pace of Black Tape #1 takes some time to get going but by the end of it you’re left wanting more! It’s clearly setting up for something bigger and at every turn you can feel the emotions boiling over in Cindy’s struggle between mourning her husband’s loss while also standing up against forces trying to take away what was rightfully hers.

Black Tape #1 is a must-read for comic book and rock and roll fans alike. The art alone is worth checking out; however, coupled with Panosian’s writing it creates an emotionally charged experience that will have readers coming back issue after issue! Be sure to stop by your LCS and grab the debut issue of Black Tape from AWA Studios.