Artist News

Gorillaz to publish annual packed full of fun and games

By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 27 May 2020

Gorillaz have announced that they will publish an annual this autumn, just in time for Christmas. Although it appears to be titled the ‘Gorillaz Almanac 2020’, so maybe it’s more of a late present for Christmas 2019. Annuals are usually dated the year after they are actually published, right? The ‘X-Factor Annual’ was and I’m sure that’s the kind of thing they are going for. Anyway, whatever, there’s going to be a Gorillaz book. That’s the point.

Over 120 odd pages, it will feature new artwork, a comic strip, puzzles and features on Gorillaz collaborators from across the band’s 20 years in existence. “But who exactly is this for?” you might ask. You might think it has no clear audience in mind at all. But you just lack vision.

“Every fan of comics and animation has dreamed of seeing the Gorillaz make their comic book debut”, says Josh Frankel of publisher Z2. “The artwork, the music and the mythos all add up to what is destined to be one of our most buzzed about releases in history, and when fans see just what we have planned, I know everyone will agree it was well worth the wait”.

There you go then. Comic books not talent shows own the ‘annual’ book format and Gorillaz have the advantage by already being drawn, right? So prepare yourself for the buzz. Actually, a ‘super deluxe edition’ limited to 200 copies and costing $199 has already sold out since being announced yesterday, so clearly there are people out there who want it, whatever you think.

Each version of the book will also come with the first volume of the band’s new ‘Song Machine’ single series on CD too. It’ll hit the shelves in October. More info here.