:Belzebubs
{{Short description|Fictional black metal band}}
{{distinguish|text=American a cappella group Beelzebubs}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
Belzebubs is a Finnish webcomic and fictional black metal band created by JP Ahonen.{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-10264001|title=Suomalaista black metal -sarjakuvaa lukevat nyt sadat tuhannet ympäri maailmaa – "Kun inasen söpistelee, se riittää kontrastiksi piikkien kanssa"|website=Yle Uutiset|date=22 June 2018 }}
Summary
The webcomic centers around the daily lives of a family that has a stereotypical black metal aesthetic and the black metal band of Sløth, the family's father.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/belzebubs-are-your-favorite-cartoon-black-metal-band/|title=Belzebubs Are Your Favorite Cartoon Black Metal Band|website=Kerrang!|date=February 2019 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2018/07/10/belzebubs-are-the-new-cartoon-metal-band-weve-been-longing-for/|title=Belzebubs Are The New Cartoon Metal Band We've Been Longing For|date=10 July 2018|website=MetalSucks}}
History
The webcomic was first launched by JP Ahonen, a freelance illustrator from Finland, in 2016 after finding inspiration in a sketch he made for an Inktober challenge.{{Cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/meet_belzebubs_the_internets_black_metal_comic_strip_band|title=Meet Belzebubs, the Internet's Black Metal Comic Strip Band | Exclaim!|website=exclaim.ca}}
In 2019, a full-length album was released under the Belzebubs name, entitled Pantheon of the Nightside Gods. Produced by Century Media and Edge of Sanity vocalist Dan Swanö, the names of the participating musicians has not been officially released.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/reviews/album-review-belzebubs-pantheon-of-the-nightside-gods/|title=Album Review: Belzebubs – Pantheon Of The Nightside Gods|website=Kerrang!|date=24 April 2019 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/79494/Belzebubs-Pantheon-of-the-Nightside-Gods/|title=Belzebubs - Pantheon of the Nightside Gods (album review ) | Sputnikmusic|website=sputnikmusic.com}} That year, the first Belzebubs book was also published.{{Cite web|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/02/11/read-an-excerpt-from-upcoming-kvlt-comic-belzebubs/|title=Read an Excerpt from Upcoming Kvlt Comic Belzebubs|date=11 February 2019|website=Decibel Magazine}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/raising-children-according-the-precepts-of-black-metal-webcomic-belzebubs-gets-a-hardcover-print-edition-from-idw-top-shelf/|title=Syndicated Comics|first=Todd|last=Allen|date=8 October 2018}}
In 2020, Finnish animation studio Pyjama Films and Finnish public broadcaster YLE began making a TV series based on the webcomic.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/global/cartoon-forum-satanic-sitcom-belzebubs-euro-toon-forum-1234772474/|title=Satanic Sitcom 'Belzebubs,' 'Modern Family' Meets 'The Addams Family' in 2D|first1=Ann-Marie|last1=Corvin|date=17 September 2020}}
On 15 February 2024 they released their long-awaited "360° Hexperience" — crowdfunded Virtual Concert.{{Cite web |url=https://metalshockfinland.com/2024/02/27/belzebubs-reveal-animated-virtual-concert-the-360-hexperience/ |title=BELZEBUBS Reveal Animated Virtual Concert 'The 360° Hexperience' |date=27 February 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}}
Reception
The webcomic has received a positive reception, with some reviewers comparing it to Calvin and Hobbes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/culture/inside-black-metal-comic-strip-belzebubs-calvin-hobbes-meets-call-cthulhu|title=Inside Black-Metal Comic Strip 'Belzebubs': "Calvin & Hobbes Meets Call of Cthulhu"|date=16 January 2019|website=Revolver}} Comics Beat reviewer John Seven stated that the comic "is a bit like the Addams Family transposed into the 21st century with more current references."{{Cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/indie-view-belzebubs-and-man-eaters-offer-satirical-takes-on-dark-subjects/|title=Syndicated Comics|first=John|last=Seven|date=4 March 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://belzebubs.com/}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Animated musical groups
Category:Bands with fictional stage personas
Category:English-language mass media in Finland