In an era where there were many standout Hard Rock/Heavy Metal frontmen, Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider was in a league of his own. With a highly colorful image, demanding stage presence, and powerful singing voice, Snider’s Twisted Sister anthems such as 1983’s “You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll,” along with 1984’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock” were battle cries for legions of followers.
Making Twisted Sister one of Heavy Metal’s biggest bands in the ‘80s, their music videos were constantly rotating on the new medium of MTV, and 1984’s Stay Hungry album sold multi-million copies. Sustaining their legacy over four decades since Twisted Sister may have embarked on their final tour together in 2016, but it did not mean the individual artists were done.
In fact, Snider has put out three solo albums since 2016, starting with We Are the Ones, continuing with 2018’s For the Love of Metal, and more recently putting out Leave a Scar in 2021. All very strong records; he also authored a children’s book in 2020 called We’re Not Gonna Take It and, in 2022, began work on the first-ever Dee Snider graphic novel called He’s Not Gonna Take It.
A project that finds Snider as the key author along with acclaimed Comic Writer Frank Marraffino, the illustrations are handled by Steve Kurth (who has worked on comics for The Avengers, Iron Man, X-men, G.I. Joe, Ghostbusters, and many more). A very cool teaming, the hardcover edition was first pressed in April of 2023 before a paperback edition arrived on December 5, 2023.
A deluxe edition oversized hardcover with slipcase was also released, signed by Dee Snider, featuring a commemorative coin and three retro Dee Snider commemorative art prints. All editions are still available through Z2 Comics’ website (with the standard hardcover and paperback copies available through various retailers); Snider even made it out to New York Comic Con in October of 2023 to support the release.
It is all very cool; the graphic novel itself features a heartfelt opening essay from Tom Morello on the inspiration Snider has provided because really getting into it all. What is inside is a story based on the reality that Dee Snider faced in his fight to use his voice. With Snider acting as the narrator, you are led down a story where he tells you about being an outcast as a child, struggling to find his way, and being determined to become a rockstar.
Making his dreams come true with fire and determination, Snider’s free-thinking idealogy oddly landed him and Twisted Sister on a list of the most vile songs in the USA. Many know the wild story well, and He’s Not Gonna Take It illustrates it all in a colorful manner, leading right through Snider’s fight in front of US Senators and beyond.
Truly an inspiring piece of history about one man’s battle for freedom of speech (upheld by the US Constitution’s First Amendment), He’s Not Gonna Take It does a fantastic job of turning Snider’s journey into a Rock-n-Roll superhero tale that fights against censorship. With that, the afterword at the end, before some absolutely fantastic comic book cover art depicting ‘Mega Dee Snider,’ really drives home his objective and undying passion to stand up for what is right.
Overall, everything about He’s Not Gonna Take It is fittingly Dee Snider. It is well put together, but most of all, a fun read with fantastic illustrations. In 2024, there is speculation that Twisted Sister may reunite soon for some reunions. Being presented with offers too good to pass up, only time will tell what will happen, but until then, absolutely pick up a copy of Dee Snider’s He’s Not Gonna Take It because Cryptic Rock gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
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