Z2 will release collected editions of the first four issues of The Mandrake Project comic series by Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, with the Deluxe Edition printed with soil from the grave of William Blake mixed in the ink.

The Mandrake Project comic series was tied to Dickinson's recent solo album and tour (see "Iron Maiden Frontman Pens Comic").

The Mandrake Project: Year One Standard Edition will include the four issues of the comic, written by Dickinson and Tony Lee, art by Staz Johnson and Piotr Kowalski, with covers by Bill Sienkiewicz; and 8-page prologue previously only available as an in-pack with the first single from the album; essay, photos, and art on the making of the comic, album, and tour.  The 9"x9", 184-page hardcover will carry a MSRP of $34.99.

The Deluxe Edition is 12"x12", and adds an introduction by Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter, slipcase with rotating embossed mandrake dial, gilt paper edging, a sealing ribbon, four foil trading cards, and the cast metal medallion from the comic and music videos.  The ink includes soil from the grave of William Blake (Dickinson is a patron of the William Blake Cottage Trust).  MSRP is $99.99.

The Standard Edition will be available through distro, the Deluxe Edition is only available from Z2, which recently started making deluxe editions available to the trade directly from the publisher (see "Z2 Expands Direct-to-Retailer").

Dickinson, who toured Europe and South America last year, will be touring North America this summer.