LEGENDARY late rock icon Jimi Hendrix is to make a comeback this summer – as a psychedelic space-faring superhero on a mission to save music from extinction.

The Seattle superstar guitar hero, who died on September 18, 1970 at the age of just 27, is to enjoy a new lease of life in a graphic novel titled Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze.

Officially licensed by the Hendrix estate and created in collaboration with Jimi’s sister, Janie, the plot sees the rock star on a perilous quest to the very centre of the universe.

He is in search of a magical talisman powerful enough to unlock the latent power of his trademark guitar sound so he can free a world starved of rock and roll.

That’ll be no easy task, given that he’s a rebel taking on a tyrannical intergalactic force hellbent on silencing music and enslaving all life forever.

It has been written by Mellow Brown of American Gods fame, with DJ BenHaMeen, and illustrated by award-winning Tom Mandrake with colours by Justin Prokowich.

“The story rings true to many of Hendrix’s ideas related to UFOs, aliens and other life forms – concepts he used to explore the human condition,” says artist Mandrake.

Although Jimi Hendrix’s career spanned only three studio albums – Are You Experienced (1967), Axis: Bold As Love (1967), and Electric Ladyland (1968) – he is widely recognised as one of the most creative musicians of the 20th century.

Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze, published by Titan Comics, will go on sale at bookstores and comic shops, and on digital devices, from July 30. Pre-orders are open now at Amazon.

Images are of unlettered artwork from the book.