METALLICA - R&R COMICS - T-SHIRT - PURPLE

T-SHIRT: METALLICA - Rock ’N’ Roll Comics (1989)

An underground metal cult… to wear! This t-shirt faithfully reproduces the cover of an issue from the famous Rock ’N’ Roll Comics series, published by Revolutionary Comics in February 1989. This underground comic series was known for its unauthorized biographies of rock artists, presented in illustrated format and often featuring bold, provocative covers. On this t-shirt, it’s an unauthorized biography of Metallica, illustrated in a punk style with bright colors, portraying the band with hyperbolic energy in an explosive live performance.
On the front cover it reads: “The Band of the New Millennium!”, a clear statement of intent that predicted how Metallica were destined to define the decade ahead.
The comic, written by Todd Loren and drawn by Larry Nadolsky, is part of a series that became a cult favorite among fans and collectors for its bold and alternative approach to telling rock star stories. The publication of these unauthorized biographies sparked several legal controversies but also helped solidify the reputation of bands like Metallica, contributing to their rise as icons of thrash metal and '90s pop culture as we know it.

This isn’t your usual Metallica shirt. It’s a tribute to a rare, underground artifact that shows another side of the band through that alternative culture that told their story before MTV.

Metallica: the Band of the New Millennium

In 1989, Metallica were already a dominant force on the global metal scene, having released a trilogy of landmark albums: Ride the Lightning (1984), Master of Puppets (1986), and ...And Justice for All (1988). The latter, with the single “One,” gave the band their first significant media exposure, including their debut appearance on MTV.
The lineup at the time was:

• James Hetfield – vocals and rhythm guitar
• Lars Ulrich – drums
• Kirk Hammett – lead guitar
• Jason Newsted – bass

1989 marks the peak of their “progressive thrash” phase: technically complex, lengthy tracks with elaborate structures and lyrics deeply critical of war, justice, and social alienation. That year, Metallica hadn’t yet entered the mainstream, but they were redefining the boundaries of metal, proving that even extreme music could be artistically ambitious and conceptually powerful.

T-Shirt Quality

100% cotton, 180 g/m², double-stitched neckline for durability.
Soft, breathable fabric with long-lasting quality print.
Recommended wash at 30 °C to preserve shape and colors.

Washing Instructions

Wash inside out by machine or by hand at 30 °C.
Hang dry from under the sleeves and air-dry, avoiding tumble drying.
Iron carefully, avoiding direct contact with the print to maintain its integrity.