Rise of the Ogre
Encyclopedia
Rise of the Ogre is an autobiography
about the virtual band Gorillaz
. Ostensibly written by the four band-members in collaboration with (actual) Gorillaz musician and official scribe Cass Browne
, the book is 304 pages long and is extensively illustrated. It was released in the UK on 26 October 2006 by Michael Joseph Ltd. and in the US on 2 November 2006 by Riverhead Books
. A paperback
edition of the book was released in the US on 6 November 2007.
Rise of the Ogre has also been released as the world's first audiobook singles. The four part audiobook was narrated by Joss Ackland
. Initially an iTunes
exclusive, one part was released every week for four weeks beginning 4 December 2006. However, the audiobook on iTunes remains incomplete.
, Russel Hobbs and Noodle
. It contains previously unknown secrets of the band, such as future plans of the movie, new and rare art by Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett
, the "low down" on Kong Studios, their headquarters, and the story of the truth behind the "El Mañana" video. The book blends fact and fiction throughout, interspersing commentary from the fictional band members with actual quotes from their creators, collaborators and critics.
The front cover of the book, when turned sideways, is Murdoc Niccals' pet raven 'Cortez'.
During its availability for pre-order, there was a contest to win a copy of the book signed by Hewlett and Browne themselves. Only 50 of the copies got the signatures. Another contest that ran before the release of the book was a video contest; announced on the Gorillaz MySpace, it asked for fans to submit a video trailer for the book. The winner would receive a signed copy of the book, a signed poster and a framed original color proof from the book, with five runners-up receiving unsigned copies. The official fansite also mentioned the winning video would be posted on Gorillaz.com, but as of January 2007, no winners have been publicly announced.
Band creators Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn also appeared in Oxford Street
, London
bookstore Waterstone's
to sign copies of the book on 6 November 2006 from 6pm-7pm (note the use of sixes on the date as a reference to Murdoc's satanic ways). Another book signing took place in a Pop-Up shop on London's South Bank where Jamie Hewlett appeared along with Cass Browne
.
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
about the virtual band Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
. Ostensibly written by the four band-members in collaboration with (actual) Gorillaz musician and official scribe Cass Browne
Cass Browne
Cass Browne was a member of the band The Psychotics who became the Senseless Things in 1986. The Senseless Things had a couple of top 20 hits and many other singles in their nine years together, they split up in 1995. Jamie Hewlett was a big fan of the band and designed many of their sleeves...
, the book is 304 pages long and is extensively illustrated. It was released in the UK on 26 October 2006 by Michael Joseph Ltd. and in the US on 2 November 2006 by Riverhead Books
Riverhead Books
Riverhead Books is a division of Penguin Group .Notable books and major bestsellers published by Riverhead include Journals by Kurt Cobain; The Art of Happiness by His Holiness the Dalai Lama; The Color of Water by James McBride; Native Speaker, A Gesture Life, and Aloft by Chang-rae Lee; Fever...
. A paperback
Paperback
Paperback, softback or softcover describe and refer to a book by the nature of its binding. The covers of such books are usually made of paper or paperboard, and are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples...
edition of the book was released in the US on 6 November 2007.
Rise of the Ogre has also been released as the world's first audiobook singles. The four part audiobook was narrated by Joss Ackland
Joss Ackland
Sidney Edmond Jocelyn Ackland CBE , known as Joss Ackland, is an English actor who has appeared in more than 130 films and numerous television roles.-Early life:...
. Initially an iTunes
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
exclusive, one part was released every week for four weeks beginning 4 December 2006. However, the audiobook on iTunes remains incomplete.
Contents
The book details the fictional life-stories of the band-members: Murdoc Niccals, 2D2D (Gorillaz)
The fictional character Stuart Pot , better known by his stage name 2-D, also simply spelled as 2D, is a member of the British virtual band Gorillaz...
, Russel Hobbs and Noodle
Noodle (Gorillaz)
Noodle is a musician and member of the virtual band Gorillaz. She provides the guitar and keyboard, as well as some main and backing vocals for the band. She, like all other Gorillaz members, was created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett...
. It contains previously unknown secrets of the band, such as future plans of the movie, new and rare art by Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett
Jamie Hewlett
Jamie Christopher Hewlett is an English comic book artist and designer. He is known for being the co-creator of the comic Tank Girl and co-creator of the virtual band Gorillaz.-Biography:...
, the "low down" on Kong Studios, their headquarters, and the story of the truth behind the "El Mañana" video. The book blends fact and fiction throughout, interspersing commentary from the fictional band members with actual quotes from their creators, collaborators and critics.
The front cover of the book, when turned sideways, is Murdoc Niccals' pet raven 'Cortez'.
Marketing
In October, a promo trailer for the book was released on the band's official website which is still available for viewing.During its availability for pre-order, there was a contest to win a copy of the book signed by Hewlett and Browne themselves. Only 50 of the copies got the signatures. Another contest that ran before the release of the book was a video contest; announced on the Gorillaz MySpace, it asked for fans to submit a video trailer for the book. The winner would receive a signed copy of the book, a signed poster and a framed original color proof from the book, with five runners-up receiving unsigned copies. The official fansite also mentioned the winning video would be posted on Gorillaz.com, but as of January 2007, no winners have been publicly announced.
Band creators Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn also appeared in Oxford Street
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is a major thoroughfare in the City of Westminster in the West End of London, United Kingdom. It is Europe's busiest shopping street, as well as its most dense, and currently has approximately 300 shops. The street was formerly part of the London-Oxford road which began at Newgate,...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
bookstore Waterstone's
Waterstone's
Waterstone's is a British book specialist established in 1982 by Tim Waterstone that employs around 4,500 staff throughout the United Kingdom and Europe....
to sign copies of the book on 6 November 2006 from 6pm-7pm (note the use of sixes on the date as a reference to Murdoc's satanic ways). Another book signing took place in a Pop-Up shop on London's South Bank where Jamie Hewlett appeared along with Cass Browne
Cass Browne
Cass Browne was a member of the band The Psychotics who became the Senseless Things in 1986. The Senseless Things had a couple of top 20 hits and many other singles in their nine years together, they split up in 1995. Jamie Hewlett was a big fan of the band and designed many of their sleeves...
.