Z2 is proud to announce Ice Nine Kills—Inked in Blood II: Once Upon A Crime, the sequel to last year’s slasher thriller. This new volume blends the real-world journey of the famed theatrical metal pioneers with a claustrophobic, adrenaline-doused dose of serial-killer slayings. Due in Fall 2023, the direct sequel unites Ice Nine Kills architect Spencer Charnas with co-writer Ryan J. Downey and artists Nino Cammarata and Giorgia Sposito. Mike Cortada, who’s responsible for the evocative album artwork behind Ice Nine Kills’ most recent albums The Silver Scream and Welcome to Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2, returns to illustrate the cover art.
Ice Nine Kills—Inked in Blood II escalates the tension from the first volume, introducing Max Charnas—the identical twin brother of INK mastermind Spencer Charnas—who hatches a plan to blackmail, frame, and destroy his sibling. The new volume ignites at The Silver Scream Con, the real-world Massachusetts gathering that debuted last August, where the blood and power chords continue to fly. The resulting thrill ride packs more crunch and hooks than an Ice Nine Kills breakdown, with serial killers and doppelgängers cleaving a bloody path from panel to panel.
“I’m bloody honored that Spencer asked me to take a stab at telling this story with him,” writer Ryan J. Downey explains. “He’s one of my favorite people, even if I half expect to find him lurking outside my window some rainy night.”
Ice Nine Kills has honed its sound over the course of two decades plus, evolving into a serrated metal and hardcore beast that’s netted opening slots for industry icons including Metallica and Slipknot. The group’s last two albums—2018’s The Silver Scream and last year’s Welcome To Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2—both embraced Charnas’ adoration of ‘80s and ‘90s celluloid terror, each song paying homage to a hallmark horror movie with an accompanying video. The videos often star actors and props from the inspiring films.
“We’re stoked to be teaming up again with Spencer and Ice Nine Kills,” editor Camilla Zhang continues. “Nobody does heavy riffs and brutal twists better, and Inked in Blood 2 begs for even more carnage.”
Z2 and Ice Nine Kills present Inked In Blood II: Once Upon a Crime in standard hardcover and deluxe hardcover editions, set to release Fall 2023. The deluxe hardcover will come with a print triptych by Phillip Sevy art prints and two-sided Spencer Charnas collector’s coin. Oversized platinum editions will come signed by Spencer Charnas with an elegant slipcase, the triptych art prints, the double-sided collector’s coin, and the Ice Nine Kills double LP of Welcome to Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2 in an exclusive purple splatter vinyl variant.
