Melissa Etheridge’s first graphic novel, Heartstrings: Melissa Etheridge and Her Guitars, will be released in June 2022. It chronicles the lesbian rockstar’s life through depictions of her cherished instruments.
“As many of my fans know, my relationship to my guitars is beyond special and these instruments hold a very significant place in my life,” Melissa Etheridge said, via press release. “I am so excited to share all these stories and images from my entire collection and have them all be a part of this incredible graphic novel.”
Writers Frank Marrafino and Steve Hochman, and artist Manuela Pertega, collaborate to interpret Melissa’s stories in the graphic novel. It features a different guitar from Melissa’s collection for each chapter and, just to add to the feminist rockstar vibe Melissa’s always embodied, each guitar is named after a powerful woman from history!
“I’m so excited to announce my first official graphic novel – Melissa Etheridge’s Heartstrings,” Melissa wrote on Twitter. “Dive in for some of my favorite untold stories of my guitars – each exciting, significant, and so dear to my heart.”
The graphic novel and tiered packages are currently available for pre-order. Z2 Comics, who are producing the graphic novel, have worked with an array of artists, even our very own Joan Jett. The novel will be available in softcover and hardcover for under $40USD. There’s also the opportunity to buy tiered packages that contain bonus material:
For $99.99USD, the Deluxe edition features an oversized hardcover Deluxe Edition graphic novel, a slipcase, a journal, and three exclusive art prints.
For $299.99, the Super Deluxe Edition includes what’s featured in the Deluxe, as well as the musician’s autograph, coasters, a lanyard and enamel pin.
For $999.99, the Platinum edition includes everything in the Super Deluxe bundle, as well as a signed Epiphone DR-100 guitar adorned with the graphic novel’s cover art.
Melissa isn’t stopping with the graphic novel, either! Melissa has announced Etheridge Island: a week-long event in Mexico, starting on August 30, 2022. “You will be immersed into a welcoming environment filled with concerts, wellness, meditation and more,” the website reads. “You’ll enjoy 3 unique Melissa Etheridge sets, performances by other amazing artists, plus all guests get to take a photo with Melissa herself!” One of the “other artists” is the one and only Ani DiFranco!
The event is marketed to all you older, rock-loving lesbians out there – Dinah Shore but for a mature audience! Pretty bold of Melissa Etheridge to create an “island” dedicated to her and a book, about her, to read while you sunbake there!
