''The Pendulum'' is a 12-issue miniseries of

comic book A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...

s based upon the Dark Carnival universe, a mythology detailed in the music of the

Insane Clown Posse Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo. Formed in Detroit in 1989, ICP's best-known lineup consists of rappers Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (originally 2 Dope; Joseph Utsler). Insan ...

. Distributed by

Chaos! Comics Chaos! Comics was a comic book publisher that operated from 1993 until 2002, mostly focusing on horror comics. Their titles included ''Lady Death'', ''Purgatori'', '' Evil Ernie'', ''Chastity'', ''Jade'', '' Bad Kitty'', and ''Lady Demon''. Chaos! ...

, the series was published from January 2000 until December 2001. A

graphic novel A graphic novel is a self-contained, book-length form of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and Anthology, anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comics sc ...

containing all 12 issues was released on August 20, 2002 along with an album featuring most of the Pendulum singles. It is the group's 5th compilation album, and their 17th overall release. Prologue and Spin-Off Comics, #1 The Upz & Downz of the Wicked Clownz (1999). #2 The Amazing Jeckel Brothers (1999). #3 Raze the Desertz of Glass (1999). Hallowicked (2001). Halls of Illusion (2002).

Creation

In 1999,

signed on to publish a 12-part comic book series about Insane Clown Posse. After choosing

Jumpsteady Robert Bruce (born August 9, 1970) is an American retired rapper and Professional wrestling, professional wrestler who would go on to become a Don for Psychopathic Records. Bruce is most commonly known by his stage name Jumpsteady. He is the old ...

as the writer for the series, the group decided to release new singles with each issue. However, due to other responsibilities, the duo was unable to record new material for several issues. Each 32-page issue of the comic was polybagged with a CD single in a cardboard sleeve; the reverse of all 12 sleeves could be combined to form a poster. The first issue was released with a variant cover featuring art from ''

The Amazing Jeckel Brothers ''The Amazing Jeckel Brothers'' is the fifth studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on May 25, 1999, by Island Records, in association with Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place from 1998 to ...

'', advertised as 1 in every 4 issues. On August 20, 2002, a graphic novel of all 12 issues entitled ''"The Pendulum Tome"'' was released. A prologue, special Halloween comic issue, and full-length album was released with the novel. The album featured all of the singles released with the comic book issues, with the exception of the three singles from ''The Pendulum #7'' which was replaced with a spoken word intro.

Plot summary

The miniseries details Insane Clown Posse's attempts to stop a demon named Killnor from destroying a priest named Father Jesus, who possesses miraculous healing powers. Killnor summons the undead duo

Twiztid Twiztid is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan, known for both their horror-themed lyrics and rock-influenced sound. Formed in 1997, Twiztid is composed of rappers Jamie "Madrox" Spaniolo and Paul "Monoxide" Methric. Spaniolo and M ...

, a crazed police

SWAT A SWAT (''Special Weapons and Tactics'') team is a generic term for a police tactical unit within the United States, though the term has also been used by other nations. SWAT units are generally trained, equipped, and deployed to res ...

team, and a host of demonic minions to stop the clowns. Insane Clown Posse call upon the assistance of the Joker's Cards to overcome the minions. An all-out showdown takes place at the demon's earthly headquarters with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance of the Pendulum.

Music and lyrics

Several songs were also featured on several other albums. The songs "The Amazing Maze" and "$50 Bucks" appeared on the 2000

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one Performing arts#Performers, performer or by several performers. If the recordings are from ...

Psychopathics from Outer Space ''Psychopathics from Outer Space'' is a compilation album featuring Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Psychopathic Rydas, Ice-T, and Myzery. Released on September 30, 2000, on Joe & Joey Records, the album is a collection of out ...

''. "Run", "Superstar", "Confessions", and "Nuttin' but a Bitch Thang" were later featured on '' Forgotten Freshness Volume 3''. The song "Toxic Love" was also the 2000 Hallowicked single. An alternate, cleaner version of "The Great Show" was used as the entrance music for the

professional wrestling Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to Real life, real- ...

stable Oddities in the

World Wrestling Federation World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...

.Bruce 2003. p. 398–413. The song was featured on the album ''

WWF The Music, Vol. 3 ''WWF The Music, Volume 3'' is a soundtrack album by WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Federation, or WWF). Released on December 29, 1998, by Koch Records, it features entrance theme music of various WWF superstars, all of which were composed ...

''. The song "I Don't Care" was originally slated for Dark Lotus' debut album '' Tales from the Lotus Pod'', but instead appeared on

's '' Cryptic Collection Vol. 2''. The song was later used in

Juggalo Championship Wrestling Juggalo Championship Wrestling (formerly Juggalo Championshit Wrestling) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion founded in 1999 by Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler), better known as the hip-hop duo I ...

's highlights video on ''JCW, Volume 2''. The song "Ain't Nuttin' But a Bitch Thang," originally released on Insane Clown Posse's website, is a

dis track A diss track, diss record or diss song (an abbreviation of ''disrespect'' or ''disparage'') is a song whose primary purpose is to verbally attack someone else, usually another artist. Diss tracks are often the result of an existing, escalating feu ...

directed toward rapper

Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, he is credited with popula ...

. The songs "What Rydas Do Fo Money," "Who Wanna Flex?," "I Don't Wanna Die" were originally intended for solo albums by each member of the group

Psychopathic Rydas Psychopathic Rydas was an American hip hop group based in Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 1999 as a side project of Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid, the group consisted of Psychopathic Records-associated rappers performing under alternate stage nam ...

, but the idea was scrapped. Those 3 songs were the only songs on The Pendulum #7 "The Rydas EP".

Track listing

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Pendulum, The Chaos! Comics titles Comics based on musical groups Cultural depictions of hip-hop musicians 2002 compilation albums Insane Clown Posse compilation albums