Thu Oct 9, 2025

Z2 & NYC BUD: KOOL KEITH, ESOTERIC & SEAN VON GORMAN

405 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018 · 4:20 PM-5:20PM · Other

About

Z2 AND NYC BUD PRESENT A BOOK SIGNING w/KOOL KEITH, ESOTERIC OF CZARFACE AND SEAN VON GORMAN OF COMICS

COME CELEBRATE AND MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND THE NEW KOOL KEITH ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL AT NEW YORK’S MOST CREATIVE DISPENSARY: NYC BUD

NEW YORK, NY – (October 9, 2025) To celebrate Z2’s newest graphic novel, they have teamed up with NYC BUD’S Manhattan location - designed as a scaled-down replica of Grand Central Station for a series of signings, events and discounts for all attendees of the nearby 2025 New York Comic Con. Hip-hop legend Kool Keith and longtime collaborator Esoteric of Czarface will be joined by Sean Von Gorman of Comics to sign their brand new graphic novel “Krossover Into The Flower Kosmic” on Thursday, October 9th at exactly 4:20PM.

He is the hip-hop legend with a million monikers. Now Kool Keith rallies his myriad personas together for the first time in “The Krossover of the Flower Kosmic,” an original graphic novel. Written by Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan of CZARFACE and illustrated by Sean Von Gorman of Comics, this book includes Dr. Octagon, Dr. Dooom, Black Elvis and many more Keiths in an adventure that brings the surreal and eccentric nature of Kool Keith to psychedelic life on every page! “This book ain’t just stories” shares KOOL KEITH “it’s bars in motion. Flipped like a verse… sharks, gators, chaos — all facts.”

When asked about creating a story that encompassed the span of Keith’s musical identities, Seamus “Esoteric” Ryan said, “Being a Keith fan since the Ultra days fueled a ton of anticipation with the project. There was no shortage of spectacular stories that followed Keith around! My favorite part of writing this was finding opportunities to slip some of Keith’s off-kilter lyrics into the dialogue or even into the visuals as Easter eggs. I hope the hardcore fans of Keith spot them.”

The 100 page oversized 12”x12” book comes in a slipcased Deluxe Edition as well as a limited and signed Platinum Edition, which comes with art prints, a collector card, and an exclusive colorway of Kool Keith and Esoteric’s STRESS EATER vinyl. Deluxe and platinum editions are available exclusively at Z2’s website link, while a standard 9”x9” edition is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, as well as other independent retailers and fine comic shops worldwide.

Illustrator Sean Von Gorman of Comics added: “I am beyond excited to be working with Esoteric to celebrate the career and talent of the legend. Kool Keith fans can expect deep cuts and Avengers: Endgame level thrills, but on a much smaller budget.”

NYC BUD’s Manhattan dispensary is located at 405 W 39th Street, New York, NY and near all public transportation and mass transit. The second NYC Bud location, the dispensary is an experience just to visit. Featuring a mini-Grand Central featuring vintage subway signage, a replica of the central ticket booth, and a recreation of the terminal’s iconic celestial ceiling, complete with zodiac constellations and gold accents, NYC Bud is the most creative cannabis dispensary in the city. Photos can be found here .

For more information on the book and to preorder your copy, visit here

About The Creative Team:

Kool Keith is a rapper and record producer from The Bronx, New York City, known for his surreal, abstract and often profane or incomprehensible lyrics. Kool Keith has recorded prolifically both as a solo artist and in group collaborations. Kool Keith is generally considered to be one of hip-hop's most eccentric and unusual personalities. Kool Keith was a cofounding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, whose debut Critical Beatdown was released in 1988. After two more albums with the group, Funk Your Head Up and The Four Horsemen, Kool Keith released his critically acclaimed solo debut album, Dr. Octagonecologyst under the name Dr. Octagon in 1996. He subsequently released a series of further independently released hip hop albums, including Sex Style, First Come, First Served (as Dr. Dooom), and most recently Keith. After releasing only one album on a major label, Black Elvis/Lost in Space, Kool Keith subsequently returned to independently releasing music, producing further efforts as a solo artist and in collaboration with groups such as Analog Brothers, Masters of Illusion, Thee Undatakerz and Project Polaroid. Kool Keith has also made guest appearances in collaboration with Peeping Tom and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. He was also featured on the short track DDT on Jurassic 5's album Power in Numbers. The Prodigy's hit "Smack My Bh Up" was based on a sample of Kool Keith's voice saying "Change my pitch up. Smack my bh up."

Esoteric (aka Seamus Ryan) best known as co-founder and creator of the group Czarface, alongside Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck. Hailing from Boston, Esoteric has built a cult following through his sharp lyricism, obscure pop culture references, and passion for comics. He is the creative force behind the Czarface universe, having written all of the Czarface comic books, which blend superhero flair with hip-hop mythology. In addition to his independent work, Esoteric has also penned a one-shot comic for Marvel's X-Men and contributed music and a cameo to Marvel/Sony's Venom film franchise, bridging his love for rhymes and comics on a major stage. His work continues to fuse underground hip-hop aesthetics with bold, comic book storytelling.

Sean Von Gorman is an NYC based Comics Illustrator & Writer. He is known for Co-Creating TOE TAG RIOT (Black Mask Studios), SECRET ADVENTURES OF HOUDINI (Alterna) and PAWN SHOP with Joey Esposito (Z2). He has also contributed art for projects published by Image, Dark Horse Comics, Dynamite and Ghost Machine as well as anthologies such as Occupy Comics (Black Mask) and the Eisner Award Winning Love Is Love (DC/IDW). He has also contributed covers for IDW’s Star Trek line of books. In addition to his comics work, Sean has also contributed art to The New Yorker, Alternative Press Magazine, and Gerard Way’s The Quarantine Coloring Book. He is also a brilliant Guerrilla Marketer, who has been known to handcuff himself to things and escape straitjackets to promote his comics. His latest book THE PEDESTRIAN, published by MAGMA COMIX, has been hailed as one of the BEST COMICS OF 2024!

About Z2 Recently dubbed the “Hottest brand in music” by Forbes, Z2 has quickly become the premier destination for authentic graphic novels and collectibles, created in partnership with top-tier artists, musicians, and pop-culture icons. Distributed globally via Simon & Schuster, multiple Eisner and Ringo-nominated Z2 has produced 75+ unique graphic novel properties, collaborating with Iron Maiden, Gorillaz, Blondie, Elvis Presley, “Weird Al'' Yankovic, Vans Warped Tour, Marc Maron, Pantera, Tori Amos, Last Podcast On The Left, Type O Negative, Emily Hampshire, Balmain Paris, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Jason Derulo, The Grateful Dead, Machine Gun Kelly, Sublime, Beethoven, RZA, Mötley Crüe, Vince Staples, Cheech & Chong, The Doors, Anthrax, Public Enemy, Ronnie James Dio, King Diamond, All Time Low, Ivan Moody, Yungblud, Cypress Hill, Babymetal, Major Lazer, RZA, Alter Bridge, Sturgill Simpson, Poppy, John Lee Hooker, and Charlie “Bird” Parker. For more information visit website, and follow on Instagram and Twitter.

About NYC BUD NYC BUD’s story starts with “The Streets and The Underground of NYC.” With its eclectic, unmatched urban history and its vibrant people, NYC BUD is devoted to the culture of NYC. Born in the core of the Big Apple, NYC BUD is a chain of cannabis dispensaries that serves a community as diverse as NYC. Through a commitment to innovation, education, and design, NYC BUD aspires to create spaces that transcend boundaries, providing an immersive experience that elevates all who enter to a better world and a heightened state of awareness. Cannabis brings people together, and NYC BUD is where it happens. Visit NYC BUD in Long Island City or Manhattan and online at nycbud.com. Follow on Instagram at @nycbud.life.

For more information and media availability on NYC BUD, please contact: nycbud@marinopr.com

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