Review by Andy Williams

Perennial slackers Bill S. Preston esquire and Ted “Theodore” Logan enchanted audiences with their cinematic outings (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure in 1989 and Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey in 1991) and this graphic novel is a prequel to 2020’s Bill & Ted Face the Music.

Our heroes are still stuck firmly in retarded adolescence, convinced their idiosyncratic brand of rock will save the world and usher in a laidback utopian existence for generations to come. Unfortunately their inability to actually come up with the prophesied song also affects the future as alternate dystopian timelines begin to emerge. To recharge their creative juices, the optimistic duo decide to take their band Wyld Stallyns on a world tour. They are joined by their wives, Elizabeth and Joanna, plus Death – The Grim Bassist.

Holding down the home front and looking after the most excellent daughters, Billie and Thea, are the Good Robot Bill and Ted (not to be confused with the Evil Robot Bill and Ted), along with alien engineer(s) Station.

The band are mistakenly booked to play the Freezing Northman Open Air Metalfest, unaware that headliners Vile Empire are part of a death metal death cult intent on summoning ancient gods to lay waste to their enemies… and Wyld Stallyns are on the list!

Writer Evan Dorkin does an excellent job of capturing the rhythm and dialogue of the main characters, perhaps not unexpectedly after writing and drawing Bill And Ted’s Excellent Comic Book Archive in the early 1990s. He retains the jovial innocence of the leads and manages to throw in good-natured satire about the “heavier” side of the rock music scene.

Roger Langridge on the art turns in some superlative cartooning, realising accurate (though probably not copyright-infringing) caricatures of the main cast. His take on Death is particularly endearing.

A lot of fun for all ages and a most excellent postscript for fans of the original movies and comics.