GWAR Celebrates 40th Anniversary With New Graphic Novel And Album ‘The Return Of Gor Gor’
by Brendan M. Allen
Legends of shock rock GWAR return to wreak havoc with their new OGN and album The Return of Gor Gor, due on July 25th, 2025. The collaboration between the band, Z2 Comics, and Pit Records hits just in time for the 2025 San Diego Comic Con.
This multi-format assault on the senses will include an exclusive 32-page comic detailing the epic return of Gor Gor, GWAR’s long-lost, three-ton Tyrannosaurus Rex, along with brand-new studio recordings and ferocious live performances. This release is the second collaboration between GWAR and Z2 Comics. The Return of Gor Gor was created by the writing team of Michael Derks, Matt Maguire, Tommy Meehan, and The Granger Brothers, with art by Stan Yak and Matt Maguire.
Editor Rantz Hoseley broke free of his GWAR-branded straightjacket to recount how the project came to be:
When it came time to follow on from the repulsive events in our first graphic novel with GWAR, we knew that the horrifying and hysterical story of the Return of Gor-Gor would be certain to kick things up a notch. I thought I was ready. I thought my stomach could handle anything, but this tale truly put me to the test!
40 years ago, the intergalactic warlords of GWAR emerged from their Antarctic tomb to conquer the Earth with their barbaric blend of metal and mayhem. Over the decades, their monstrous live shows and relentless discography have solidified them as the ultimate overlords of shock rock.
Now, with BälSäc, Beefcake, JiZMak, and Blothar joined by the mighty shredder Grodius of the Maximus Clan, GWAR embarks on their latest quest; to reclaim their savage pet, Gor Gor, who mysteriously disappeared following the death of their former frontman, Oderus Urungus.
But where has Gor Gor been all these years? How do you misplace a three-ton Tyrannosaurus Rex? The answer lies in The Return of Gor Gor, a multi-format experience that intertwines music and graphic storytelling. The Return of Gor Gor follows the tale of an orphaned T-Rex cub, lost in a depraved world that is completely alien to him. Will he become an ally of the legendary Scumdogs of the Universe, or will their reunion unleash an apocalyptic battle? Only time will tell!
“The last time I saw Gor Gor he was just a wee fart dragon. He had crawled on the hood of my Kia Soul and was holding on for dear life while I drove to the store to buy Clamato,” said Blothar. “I bathed him in wiper fluid and used my wipers to knock him off my sweet ride. Next thing I know, he’s a 20-foot tall trans-species prostitute working a pickle park. Apparently, he’s all grown up and looking for revenge. This record chronicles his struggles as a young Dino-American trying to make his way in a cruel world.”
The Return of Gor Gor features three brand new GWAR songs mixed by Kurt Ballou and four live tracks captured at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA during GWAR’s 2024 tour, mixed by Chris Ronan Murphy. All songs were produced by GWAR and mastered by Alan Douches. The release also includes a 32-page comic detailing Gor Gor’s return, which is included with all versions. Vinyl editions boast an animated etching of Gor Gor on Side A, with purple vinyl available exclusively at this link and green vinyl at this link. A Deluxe Hardback edition is also available.
Kicking off the carnage, GWAR premiered the video for Lot Lizard. Fans can also stream the track across all digital service providers. The video is age restricted, so I can’t embed it, but you can check it out now on YouTube at this link.
About the new single, Blothar states:
Lot Lizard is a blistering return to GWAR as a punk metal powerhouse with a sense of humor. What could be more charming than a song about a crack-addicted cross-dressing dinosaur prostitute that shreds weiners at truck stop pickle parks? Nuttin honey. That’s what. The song rocks. Listen ya mooks…
