At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, Coldplay’s “Mylo Xyloto” took comic book form. Originally conceptualized as an animated movie, the six issue comic book series was developed simultaneously with the album, though the album was released first. And interestingly enough, the music actually holds clues to the storyline and is represented in the comic as color. And as it is explained- color really is key.

Mylo Xyloto (image courtesy of: Bongo Comics)

The main character Mylo, lives in a dystopian world void of color and sound under strict guidelines. The Silencers are in place to maintain the peace. Mylo himself is a Silencer, but becomes conflicted when he sets out to find the leader of a rebel group known as “Sparkers” who infuse color and music into this world like a graffiti tagger.

The band worked on the storyline directly with the creator Mark Osborne and although you won’t find Coldplay anywhere in the comic, you will see influences.  For example, Mylo is inspired by Marty McFly as Chris Martin is obsessed with “Back to the Future”.

Osborne explained that he always was a fan of Coldplay, and thought they would be a great creative force to work with. And, in fact, after 3 years time, what ended up happening wasn’t the original movie concept but a comic book series that takes us inside the colorless and soundless world of Mylo Xyloto. But, thanks to the sparkers that’s all about to be turned upside down.

If you weren’t able to pick up a copy at Comic Con, look for the first issue of Mylo Xyloto to be released in February 2013.

- Jennifer Markham, Energy 103.7