Urban Legends, the urban catalog platform of Universal Music Enterprises (UMe), and Marvel Comics are collaborating to bring together the mighty, epic worlds of comics and hip hop with an ongoing exclusive album series that will feature variant covers for select collector’s editions of some of the record label’s most legendary hip hop releases.
The first releases in this joint series, out December 7, are Iron Man standing behind cracked glass for 50 Cent’s incendiar
y 2003 debut, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’; the Punisher replicating LL Cool J’s famous stance on
the cover of his 1990 album Mama Said Knock You Out; and Iron Man dueling Maestro, mirroring the cover of GZA’s second studio album, Liquid Swords. Marvel Comics originally debuted these album art inspired images as comic book variants for many of their top comic titles in 2015, reinterpreted by a number of fan favorite comic book artists. Now Marvel’s highly successful variant comic book cover series will be combined with UMe’s vast catalog that includes the most revered and influential albums in hip hop history.
Each album release will boast a pair of collectible options, the first one being a double color vinyl Variant Cover Collector’s Edition that replaces the album’s original image with Marvel’s variant hip-hop cover art. Second, a Deluxe Variant Cover Collector’s Edition will sport the featured album itself housed in a gatefold LP with the variant cover printed directly on the front.
In making this announcement, Bruce Resnikoff, President/CEO, UMe, said, “Marvel comics have always occupied a special place in the hearts of hip hop fans both media continue to serve as source of expression, escapism and inspiration for generations of super fans around the world.”Andre Torres, Vice President, Urban Catalog and Head of Urban Legends, adds: “There is an undeniable heroism that consistently runs through the veins of both art forms and I’m excited to help weave these icon
ic narratives together in a way that celebrates their art and introduces new fans to
their genius.” Daniel Fink Executive Director, Business Developmentat Marvel, said, “Marvel’s hip hop variant covers celebrated the music industry in a whole new way, combining the creativity of original album art and the Marvel Universe to create one of a kind pieces of art. We’re excited to collaborate with UMe to bring these variants back for fans of these iconic albums.” Each album release will boast a pair of collectible options, the first one being a double color vinyl Variant Cover Collector’s Edition that replaces the album’s original image with Marvel’s variant
hip hop cover art.
50 Cent Get Rich Or Die Tryin’: https://UrbanLegends.lnk.to/Marvel50CentGetRichorDieTryin
LL Cool J Mama Said Knock You Out: https://UrbanLegends.lnk.to/MarvelLLCoolJMamaSaidKnockYouOut
GZA Liquid Swords: https://UrbanLegends.lnk.to/MarvelGZALiquidSwords
