Of all of the late heavy metal pioneers and their influential works, none loom larger than Ronnie James Dio's 1983 album Holy Diver. The Dio estate has teamed up with Z2 Comics to adapt the hit album into an original graphic novel, Dio: Holy Diver. Reuniting comic book writer Steve Niles and artist Scott Hampton, the 120-page graphic novel weaves an epic fantasy tale that answers some of the album's greatest lyrical mysteries. The graphic novel's deluxe edition also includes a Holy Driver vinyl re-release that's illustrated by Becky Cloonan.
In an exclusive interview with CBR, Niles spoke about his personal connection to heavy metal and Dio's music, shared the lyrical and horror influences behind the graphic novel, and teased Easter eggs for Dio fans. Also included within this interview is an exclusive preview of the graphic novel, with artwork by Hampton and its cover by the legendary Bill Sienkiewicz.
Steve, how did the folktale elements of this story and its connection to Dio's music come about for you?
Steve Niles: Just going through songs, Dio's interviews, and the art of the cover gave me the direction of the story. Dio's music and lyrics pretty much paved the way. The imagery is so strong and the story came right out.
What is your own personal connection to the work of Dio and Holy Diver?
Niles: Well, I was a punk rock kid, personally, but I was a huge fan of bands like Led Zeppelin and early Black Sabbath. I knew about Metal music coming out later, but it wasn't my preferred genre. But we were all rebelling against the system and the status quo back then, just in different ways. I have a lot of respect for Dio, he was questioning organized religion and the abuse behind it long before others did, definitely. And of course, that cover is iconic.
How was it working with Scott Hampton on the look of this story?
Niles: I've worked with Scott many times over the years. We created Simon Dark together and several other projects. I love working with Scott. He has a look all his own and I just knew he'd be perfect for this book.
There is a pagan quality to this story that echoes The Wicker Man and Midsommar. What was it about those sort of pagan cult sensibilities that you wanted to lean into here?
Niles: The cover art for Holy Diver pretty much tells the tale that way, and the idea behind those movies is definitely similar. But I see it as a monster story. Dio said in numerous interviews when asked about the Monster drowning the priest, "How do you know that the priest isn't the Monster? Things are not always what they appear to be, you have to look deeper…"
What is it about heavy metal that lends itself so well to fantasy storytelling?
Niles: I believe that the musicians involved at the beginning of Metal were fantasy and mythology fans, and so their songs were in that vein. I think it helped make the music bigger than life, and fans definitely gravitated to that. It allows for more imagination and deeper meaning, I think.
What can you tease for readers and Dio fans about this original graphic novel?
Niles: I hid a lot of Dio's own lyrics in the narration and dialogue; I think fans will have fun finding them.
Based on the album by Ronnie James Dio, Dio: Holy Diver is written by Steve Niles and illustrated by Scott Hampton. The original graphic novel is available to preorder now through Z2 Comics.