The hip-hop and superheroes connection continues, with comics giant Marvel unveiling yet another round of rap album-saluting variant covers. Ahead of the issues hitting stands and tablets, you can preview visual tributes to Chance the Rapper, Kevin Gates, and the Wu-Tang Clan.
As previously reported, Marvel first began the company-wide variant covers series in 2015. The latest wave starts shipping this month, and once again finds familiar Marvel heroes replicating some equally familiar album art.
For instance, an upcoming front cover for Nova's self-titled series has the cosmic teen adventurer looking down on us from high up above just like Chance the Rapper on the pastel-tinted cover to his Coloring Book LP. He's also helping hoist a flag alongside Ms. Marvel, Cyclops, the Miles Morales Spider-Man and the Hulk for the cover of Champions #1, a reinterpretation of the artwork for Wu-Tang Clan's 2001 Iron Flag release.
Jessica Jones, meanwhile, is found recreating the cover to Kevin Gates' recent Isaiah LP. Considering she serves as both a hero and a private investigator, appearing in comics and her own Netflix series, the multi-tasking Marvel star seems like a suitable candidate to bust out Gates' catchphrase: "I don't get tired."
Fellow Netflix hero Luke Cage goes for an LL Cool J look on an upcoming cover, standing on top of a car in a Bigger and Deffer (BAD) tribute illustrated by Marco D'Alfonso.
"Comics and hip-hop share a common narrative: They're all about underdogs struggling, striving and persevering against overwhelming odds," Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso told XXL. "So it's no surprise that so many rappers have been influenced by the Marvel mythology or embraced the Marvel heroes over the decades. The hip-hop covers were our way of showing that the love is reciprocal. A lot of the writers, artists and editors that make Marvel Comics are inspired by hip-hop, and it shows in their work."
Earlier this year, the company revealed crossover covers that had Doctor Strange saluting Desiigner, and Black Panther shouting out Southern rapper King Mez.
As previously reported, Marvel first began the company-wide variant covers series in 2015. The latest wave starts shipping this month, and once again finds familiar Marvel heroes replicating some equally familiar album art.
For instance, an upcoming front cover for Nova's self-titled series has the cosmic teen adventurer looking down on us from high up above just like Chance the Rapper on the pastel-tinted cover to his Coloring Book LP. He's also helping hoist a flag alongside Ms. Marvel, Cyclops, the Miles Morales Spider-Man and the Hulk for the cover of Champions #1, a reinterpretation of the artwork for Wu-Tang Clan's 2001 Iron Flag release.
Jessica Jones, meanwhile, is found recreating the cover to Kevin Gates' recent Isaiah LP. Considering she serves as both a hero and a private investigator, appearing in comics and her own Netflix series, the multi-tasking Marvel star seems like a suitable candidate to bust out Gates' catchphrase: "I don't get tired."
Fellow Netflix hero Luke Cage goes for an LL Cool J look on an upcoming cover, standing on top of a car in a Bigger and Deffer (BAD) tribute illustrated by Marco D'Alfonso.
"Comics and hip-hop share a common narrative: They're all about underdogs struggling, striving and persevering against overwhelming odds," Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso told XXL. "So it's no surprise that so many rappers have been influenced by the Marvel mythology or embraced the Marvel heroes over the decades. The hip-hop covers were our way of showing that the love is reciprocal. A lot of the writers, artists and editors that make Marvel Comics are inspired by hip-hop, and it shows in their work."
Earlier this year, the company revealed crossover covers that had Doctor Strange saluting Desiigner, and Black Panther shouting out Southern rapper King Mez.
Check out @Jeffdekal's Hip-Hop variant for JESSICA JONES #1. pic.twitter.com/4BYJhKrwTb
— axel alonso (@axelalonsomarv) September 12, 2016
Mama said knock you out
— axel alonso (@axelalonsomarv) September 12, 2016
Check out @M7781's Hip-Hop variant for CAGE! #1. pic.twitter.com/Ltlag9LPBa
