'80s Rock Icon Announces Update on Hit Project Outside Music
Bruce Dickinson is continuing to build his creative world outside music after announcing The Mandrake Project: Year Two, the next chapter in his growing graphic novel saga.
The legendary Iron Maiden frontman shared the news on Instagram, revealing that Chapters 5 through 8 of The Mandrake Project story will be released in a new deluxe edition collection packed with collector items and expanded content.
"Chapters 5-8 of The Mandrake Project saga are collected in a 176 page Deluxe Edition book!" Dickinson wrote. "With a foil embossed and die cut slipcase, exclusive collector cards and more. Pre-order your SIGNED copy before they're gone!"
The project continues the supernatural storyline connected to Dickinson's 2024 solo album The Mandrake Project. According to release details, the new installment follows Necropolis and Dr. Lazarus into a darker and stranger world filled with mystery, family secrets, and supernatural forces.
The official description says the story begins after a near-death experience sends Necropolis into a parallel world where he uncovers shocking truths tied to his twisted family history.
The Mandrake Project: Year Two is described as a 184-page continuation of the ongoing series. Deluxe and platinum editions will include collector cards and a Mandrake Coin.
The collection also includes an introduction by filmmaker Sascha Gervasi and a feature about Wilhelm Reich, the controversial sociologist and mystic who died in prison in 1954.
The graphic novel has become one of Dickinson's biggest entertainment projects outside his music career. Although globally known as Iron Maiden's lead singer, Dickinson has spent decades building a reputation in several industries.
Outside music, Dickinson has worked as a commercial airline pilot, author, broadcaster, entrepreneur, screenwriter and competitive fencer. He also founded the aviation company Cardiff Aviation after flying for Astraeus Airlines.
Dickinson's career outside heavy metal has often matched the scale of his music success. He hosted radio programs for the BBC, presented aviation documentaries, wrote novels and helped create the successful Trooper beer brand with Robinsons Brewery.
The singer also competed internationally in fencing and was once ranked seventh in Great Britain in the sport.
His solo album The Mandrake Project, released in 2024, became his first solo studio record in 19 years and reached chart success in several countries.
Dickinson's latest announcement comes during a busy creative period for the singer.
In 2025, he released More Balls To Picasso, a reworked version of his 1994 solo album Balls To Picasso. The updated edition featured remixed tracks, orchestral arrangements, and new production elements.
One of the project's biggest additions was a new orchestral version of "Tears Of The Dragon." Dickinson later filmed an elaborate music video for the song in São Paulo, Brazil, alongside directors Leo Liberti and Antoine de Montremy.
The video featured Dickinson performing with the Almai orchestra and Brazilian ballet dancer Renata Bardazi inside a converted brewery location.
At the same time, Dickinson continues preparing for Iron Maiden's 50th anniversary tour in 2026. The band is scheduled to begin the latest run of shows in Athens, Greece before continuing with more international dates.
Dickinson joined Iron Maiden in 1981 and helped turn the band into one of the biggest heavy metal acts in history. The group has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.
Even with his long-running success in music, Dickinson continues expanding into comics, film, aviation, writing, and business ventures, making The Mandrake Project one of his biggest multimedia projects to date.
Related: 1972 Hit, Written in 20 Minutes, Became a Soft Rock Classic
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 10:55 PM.