The BLUES BROTHERS Are Back and Louder Than Ever — Here’s Why Fans Should Be Excited!

By Klep Napier | Wearecritix.com

The Blues Brothers are back on a mission, and this time the story is in the hands of a new generation. At New York Comic Con, I had the chance to sit down with Stella Aykroyd and Luke Pisano at the Classic Car Club in New York City to talk about their brand-new graphic novel, The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake. It was the perfect setting we were surrounded by classic cars, including a fully decked-out Bluesmobile that instantly pulled us back into that iconic world.

From the start, it was clear how deeply Stella and Luke care about this legacy. Both grew up as fans before stepping into the role of storytellers, and you can feel that passion on every page. They weren’t trying to reinvent The Blues Brothers or exploit a familiar name. They wanted to make something honest, something that felt true to Dan, John, Judy, and the fans who have kept this story alive for more than four decades. “We set out to make something real and authentic,” Luke told me. “Something of substance. And I think we did.”

The book picks up fifteen years after the original film. Jake and Elwood are in prison when Jake mysteriously vanishes, and a young detective is assigned to track him down. As the investigation unfolds, the story threads in flashbacks and origin moments that deepen our understanding of these characters while creating something fresh for longtime fans and newcomers alike. Stella was upfront about the challenge of translating a musical comedy to the page. You can’t write a performance into a comic, but you can build mood, energy, and story that still make you want to put on a record when you close the final page.

Continue reading or watch the full interview with Stella and Luke here.

The creative team helps make that happen. Z2 paired Stella and Luke with Felipe Sobriero, a Brazilian artist whose work brings grit, heart, and motion to every panel. The flashbacks even shift into a second, R. Crumb-inspired style that adds texture and nostalgia. And then there’s James Werner, a musician who joined the writing team to help weave rhythm and soul into the storytelling. Every detail, from the panel layouts to the pacing, feels like it’s built to honor the music that started it all.

And that spirit extends beyond the main characters. One of the things that made the original film so special was the world it built — the cameos, the cultural touchstones, the sense that anything could happen. This book leans into that too. There are nods to real blues legends, a vibe inspired by warmth, and moments that echo the joy and chaos of the original film. It’s fan service without pandering, and a bridge for a new generation of readers to discover the music and personalities that defined the original.

The family involvement is another reason this project feels so genuine. The late Judy Belushi Pisano helped spark the idea, and Dan Aykroyd even served as editor. It’s more than a creative decision, it’s a promise that the soul of The Blues Brothers is protected. For those who want to go deeper, there’s even a deluxe edition of the book that comes with a dark blue vinyl featuring a never-before-heard rehearsal recording of John and Dan. It’s the kind of extra that fans will treasure.

Talking with Stella and Luke in front of that iconic car made one thing crystal clear: this project isn’t about nostalgia, it’s about keeping the engine running. It’s a respectful, joyful continuation that we can’t wait to review, and even more excited to see fans hold in their hands.

Where to get it: Pre-orders are live now at Z2Comics.com (For Deluxe Vinyl LP Edition) and Amazon. The deluxe edition includes the exclusive vinyl with that unreleased rehearsal recording. The official release is expected mid-November 2025, so now’s the time to order if you want it on your shelf before the holidays.