LIMITED EDITION BLUE VINYL EXCLUSIVELY BUNDLED WITH DELUXE EDITIONS OF THE Z2 GRAPHIC NOVEL—THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE
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CHICAGO, IL— (June 20, 2025)— 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.
Here’s a peek at the 13 unreleased tracks featured on The Blues Brothers: The Lost Recordings Royal Blue Vinyl LP:
SIDE A
1. “Welcome”
2. “Flip, Flop & Fly”
3.”Hey Bartender”
4. “Messin’ With The Kid”
5. “(I Got Everything I Need) Almost”
6. “Rubber Biscuit”
7. “Shot Gun Blues”
SIDE B
8. “I Don’t Know”
9. “Groove Me”
10. “Excusez Moi Mon Cherie”
11. “Soul Man”
12. “B Movie Box Car Blues”
13. “Green Onions”
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.
Fans can now for the first time purchase the Deluxe Edition of The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake as well as the Dan Akyroyd-signed, limited Platinum Editions, which include the oversized hardcover with slipcase, the exclusive vinyl, a Blues Brothers engraved harmonica, and Jake and Elwood Blues collector cards on Z2Comics.com. Both the Deluxe and Platinum Editions feature a new cover and slipcase with exclusive art by Felipe Sobreiro. All Hardcover, Deluxe and Platinum Editions will proudly ship to fans in advance of the October 7th in-store retail date.
Standard editions of THE BLUES BROTHERS: THE ESCAPE OF JOLIET JAKE are available for pre-order via Z2Comics.com, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, UltimateClassicRock.com as well as many other fine independent book, comic, and record stores.
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About The New Blues Brothers Creative Team:
Luke Pisano is a writer and marketing professional. The son of Judy Belushi Pisano, Luke has spent his life immersed in the world of the Blues Brothers, carrying forward the legacy the Belushi family, his mother, and Dan Aykroyd built together. Following Judy’s passing in July 2024, he stepped into her role as the other half of Blues Brothers Approved Ventures, ensuring that the cultural impact of the legendary duo continues to thrive for new generations. He is committed to bringing fresh energy and storytelling to the franchise while staying true to its roots in music, comedy, and soul. Luke holds an undergraduate degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a master’s degree from the University of Oregon. Beyond his work with the Blues Brothers, he has spent the last decade as a marketing manager for various brands and companies, blending strategic expertise with creative storytelling.
Stella Aykroyd is a writer and director from Los Angeles, with a background spanning screenwriting, documentary filmmaking, and environmental advocacy. From 2017 to 2020, she worked as a writer’s assistant and later transitioned into ghostwriting, specializing in fiction and short stories. Before focusing on scripted storytelling, Stella worked in documentary film, highlighting environmental and wildlife issues. From 2014 to 2018, she collaborated with Sea Shepherd (Saving the Vaquita, Great Barrier Reef Harm Reduction) and River Keeper (DAPL). As the daughter of Dan Aykroyd, Stella has been immersed in the world of the Blues Brothers her entire life. Since 2018, she and her father have worked together as writing partners, and now, she takes on a leading role in shaping the future of the Blues Brothers brand.
James Werner is a bi-racial writer, filmmaker and actor from Los Angeles. Aside from working with the Blues Brothers and Z2 comics, James currently performs improv and clown in Los Angeles at Upright Citizens Brigade and WGIS. He also has a career in the music industry as a songwriter and musician, and plays for the indie-folk-funk band, Trees, as well as the alternative-rock-soul band Knees. In 2023, James was selected as one of fifty directors from around the world to attend the CREATOR’S LAB under mentorship of Palme d’Or winning director Apichatpong Weerasethakul where he scored Apichatpong’s latest short, July stories, starring Tilda Swinton. Prior to working independently, James attended Vassar college and worked at Blumhouse Productions and Bad Robot. He’s also a great son (according to his mom).
Felipe Sobreiro is a Brazilian illustrator and colorist. He has worked for most comic book publishers big and small, with titles ranging from the creator-owned Image hits “Luther Strode”, “Spread” and “Local Man” to Marvel’s “Generation X”, and Ahoy’s “Justice Warriors”. For Z2, Felipe colored Jason Derulo’s “UZO” and illustrated stories for the “The Illustrated Al” and “No Remörse: The Illustrated True Stories of Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead” anthologies. Felipe lives with his wife in Brazil’s capital city Brasília, in a house they share with a horde of cats and a dog.
About Z2
Recently dubbed the “Hottest brand in music” by Forbes, Z2 has quickly become the premier destination for authentic graphic novels and collectibles, created in partnership with top-tier artists, musicians, and pop-culture icons. Distributed globally via Simon & Schuster, multiple Eisner and Ringo-nominated Z2 has produced 75+ unique graphic novel properties, collaborating with Iron Maiden, Gorillaz, Blondie, Elvis Presley, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Vans Warped Tour, Pantera, Tori Amos, Last Podcast On The Left, Type O Negative, Emily Hampshire, Balmain Paris, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Jason Derulo, The Grateful Dead, Machine Gun Kelly, Sublime, Beethoven, RZA, Mötley Crüe, Vince Staples, Cheech & Chong, The Doors, Anthrax, Public Enemy, Ronnie James Dio, King Diamond, All Time Low, Ivan Moody, Yungblud, Cypress Hill, Babymetal, Major Lazer, RZA, Alter Bridge, Sturgill Simpson, Poppy, John Lee Hooker, and Charlie “Bird” Parker. For more information visit Z2comics.com, and follow on Instagram and Twitter.