Within Temptation Launch Comic Book Series

PRE-ORDER NEW WITHIN TEMPTATION COMIC BOOK

WITHIN TEMPTATION BRING THEIR SWEEPING STORYTELLING TO COMICS WITH A NEW SERIES

Acclaimed symphonic metal band tackle the rise of AI with Opus Comics

Symphonic metal band Within Temptation are bringing their unique vision of the future to comic audiences with a brand new series from Opus Comicsbased on their 2019 album Resist and 2021 virtual concert Aftermath.

Set in the distant future, an endless battle rages between two species — an advanced but inherently humanoid species ruled by a techno-organic matriarch on one side, and a cruel race of alien artificial intelligences on the other. Multiple stories collide to paint a sweeping portrait of the matriarch's life and her struggle to balance what she was created to be with the impossible forces that shape her.

In order to bring this story to the comic book page, the band have teamed up with acclaimed YA author Marieke Nijkamp and heavy metal artist Montos to flesh out their dystopian world.

"The Purge cover star GENESIS has come to life on our stage and in different merchandise designs, and now she will be taking you on the biggest quest of her life — in both our next album as well as in our comic book series," says vocalist and co-founder Sharon den Adel, "Teaming up with Opus for this seemed like the logical decision, as they are a heavyweight in creating comic books and only work with the best designers and storytellers. We can't wait to show you the final result! We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do!"

The first issue will be available in a limited-edition print run featuring an exclusive numbered foil cover by Agustin Alessio (Star Wars, Avengers, Thor: God of Thunder) direct from Incendium Online, with a newsstand edition in comic stores this May for wide retail release.

"The symphonic splendour of Within Temptation has always transported listeners to other worlds, and experiencing those songs supported by the incredible set design of recent stage shows and virtual performances presented a wonderful opportunity to explore their futuristic vision with an all new narrative," adds Incendium and Opus Comics founder Llexi Leon. "Today, the battle against AI is suddenly a very real topic, particularly for artists and other creatives, which is reflected in the story of the matriarch and her struggle."

Within Temptation #1 is the first in a three-part mini-series at 40 pages long, and is solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors' March PREVIEWS catalogue for May release at Opus Comics' signature $6.66 price point. Fans can also buy a numbered limited-edition version of the book with foil treatment directly here.

ABOUT WITHIN TEMPTATION:
Legendary leaders of dark anthemic music, with a career spanning two decades and with seven studio albums under their belt — Enter [1997], Mother Earth[2000], The Silent Force [2004], The Heart of Everything [2007], The Unforgiving [2011], Hydra [2014], and RESIST [2019]: all accounting for more than four million record sales to their name —Within Temptation are a genuine force to be reckoned with. Simply, they are one of the world's most successful heavy rock groups. In 2020 and 2021, the band released "Entertain You," "The Purge," and "Shed My Skin," singles that all peaked in the Top 20 of the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Indicator Charts and topped the official German charts. The band's work has received numerous international awards, including a World Music Award, MTV Europe Music Awards, a Metal Hammer Award, and many more.  

ABOUT OPUS COMICS:
Opus Comics was founded in 2021 by writer and creative director Llexi Leon, launching with over a dozen comic book titles based on some of the world's best-known music-related IP including Bill and Ted: Roll the Dice, Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer, and Evanescence: Echoes from the Void. Opus Comics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Incendium, a full-spectrum creative and production house with comics, merchandising, interactive, and animation divisions.

ABOUT INCENDIUM:
Founded in 2006, Incendium is a multi-faceted production company known for an array of animation, comic books, toys, and video games. Driven by our team's passion for Myths, Monsters, and Metal, the brand embraces '80s and '90s counterculture with a contemporary twist.

On Facebook: @IncendiumOnline 
On Twitter: @IncendiumOnline
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HELLOWEEN - Teams Up With Incendium For Comic Book And Action Figures

THE KEEPER COMES ALIVE!
LOS ANGELES, CA – Pumpkin fans, unite! Helloween and Incendium are teaming up for the launch of Seekers of the Seven Keys, a supernatural horror-fantasy comic book that explores the iconic cast of characters depicted on album covers from the legendary German heavy metal band, known as the "godfathers of melodic speed metal." Incendium is also thrilled to announce a line of collectible Helloween action figures inspired by the bands’ cover artwork and lyrical lore: The Keeper Of The Seven Keys, The Witch, and Jack O. Lantern.

Published under Incendium’s music-focused OPUS imprint, Seekers of the Seven Keys is crafted by horror masters, writer Joe Harris (Creepy, The X-Files, Rockstars), and artist Axel Medellin (Hoax Hunters, Elephantman), and features cover artwork by Santi Casas.

In Seekers of the Seven Keys, the mystical Seven Keys have been lost, and the Keeper wants them back. But he’s not the only one looking. And when teenage siblings stumble upon the quest, they embark on a 1980s-style science-fiction, fantasy adventure filled with the horror tropes, campy characters, and throwback humor for which the band is known.

HELLOWEEN guitarist Michael Weikath said, “Obviously, Dr. Stein is not the only one who can come up with funny creatures. We are thrilled to see the characters from the HELLOWEEN universe finally come to life! The team of Incendium did a great job and created an exciting new comic adventure. As we say in Dr. Stein: And their time is right!"

Added Llexi Leon, CEO of Incendium: HELLOWEEN’s offbeat comic, inspired by their epic music, fuses fan-favorite characters with whimsical fantasy—and a healthy dose of heavy metal! As they are one of the great innovators in the genre, it’s been a joy to revisit their catalog, particularly the ‘Seven Keys’ saga, and lay down the groundwork for an all-new narrative that will appeal to long-time fans of the band and Halloween horror aficionados alike!”

The debut of the comic book comes in the wake of the recent release of Helloween’s self-titled album, which has climbed to the top of the charts across the world. The album is reminiscent of all eras of the band’s history and unites their three vocalists Michael Kiske, Andi Deris, and Kai Hansen. The band's sixteenth studio album was released by Nuclear Blast Tonträger Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH in June.

The first print edition of Seekers of the Seven Keys will be released as a prestige-format limited edition collectible comic book, featuring cardstock covers, specialty foil treatments, glossy pages, and individual numbering.

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The first printing of the comic will be limited to 2,000 copies at $19.95 and is available to order from https://incendium.online/collections/Helloween. It is available to order now and ships by October 31, 2021. The Keeper Of The Seven Keys, The Witch, and Jack O. Lantern action figures are also available to pre-order for $29.95, shipping spring 2022.

Other high-profile projects under Incendium’s OPUS music-focused imprint include the Evanescence graphic anthology series Echoes From The Void, Disturbed’s Dark Messiah comic book series, Joe Satriani’s Crystal Planet series, Black Veil BridesThe Phantom Tomorrow series, Exodus’ Tales of the Damned series, Cradle of Filth’s Maledictus Athenaeum series, and more; Incendium is releasing collectible action figures for every project related to the bands and their comic book storylines.

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Seekers of the Seven Keys #1 credits:
Cover Artwork by Santi Casas
Interior Artwork by Axel Medellin
Written by Joe Harris
Letters by Jacob Bascle
Edited by Llexi Leon, R.G. Llarena, and Denton J. Tipton

HELLOWEEN “The Keeper Of The Seven Keys,” “The Witch,” and “Jack O. Lantern” Figbiz Action Figures by Incendium

About Incendium:
Founded in 2006, Incendium is a multi-faceted production company known for an array of animation, comic books, toys, and video games. Driven by our team’s passion for Myths, Monsters, and Metal the brand embraces the 80s and 90s counterculture with a contemporary twist.

Find us at www.incendium.online

  • On Facebook: @IncendiumOnline

  • On Twitter: @IncendiumOnline

  • On Instagram: @incendiumonline

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Bonustracks Mediabook & Vinyl:
01 - Golden Times
02 - Save My Hide

Bonustracks Earbook
01 - Golden Times
02 - Save My Hide
03 - Pumpkins United

Get the album here: https://nblast.de/HELLOWEEN-Helloween

"Skyfall" video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLV530n3kMw
"Fear Of The Fallen" lyric video: https://youtu.be/P95N5j2i2yw
"Best Time" lyric video: https://youtu.be/L-wSs3o0ab8