Etta James makes a surprise appearance in Keanu Reeves' Brzrkr #5

Brzrkr #5 excerpt (Image credit: Boom! Studios)

Keanu Reeves has been in bands for years, but for his new comic book series Brzrkr he's leaning on a classic musician to tell the story: Etta James. In September 29's Brzrkr #5, a new arc opens up with some low-key moments and music.

Etta James' trademark song, 'At Last,' is put on the record player by Keanu's immortal warrior B (who happens to look just like Keanu) in an attempt to break through an impasse Doctor Diana Ahuja has had in trying to excavate the truth of B's past out of him. And from the looks of it, B (like Keanu Reeves) has an ear for great music, and it triggers Keanu to remember more about his centuries-long past.

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Brzrkr #5 preview

If you know Etta James' 'At Last!' record, you know it's the second song on side b - meaning B seemingly knows the record so well he can place the record needle right where 'At Last' begins, skipping the first song 'I Just Want To Make Love To You.'

(That song might be a little too much as an opening number for someone you're just getting to know better.)

Lee Garbett has drawn Brzrkr #5's main cover, with variant covers by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Declan Shalvey. Check them out here:

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Brzrkr #5 covers

Brzrkr #5 (of 12) goes on sale on September 29. A collection of issues #1 - #4 goes on sale October 5 as Brzrkr Volume 1.

Keanu Reeves isn't the first (nor will he be the last) of famous actors who have created comic books.

Chris Arrant covered comic book news for Newsarama from 2003 to 2022 (and as editor/senior editor from 2015 to 2022) and has also written for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, Marvel Entertainment, TOKYOPOP, AdHouse Books, Cartoon Brew, Bleeding Cool, Comic Shop News, and CBR. He is the author of the book Modern: Masters Cliff Chiang, co-authored Art of Spider-Man Classic, and contributed to Dark Horse/Bedside Press' anthology Pros and (Comic) Cons. He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards, and the Stan Lee Awards. Chris is a member of the American Library Association's Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table. (He/him)