I’m a big comic book nerd, amassing a healthy collection of comic books, cards, and action figures while growing up. Marvel released Hip-Hop variant covers with the reboot of their universe and I had to collect them all. I borrowed some records from Ike Check of Just Blame Us that matched up to the inspired art work of the covers. I visited a few record stores in the valley until I found Vegas Vinyl, where we shot.

Hip-Hop and comic books have a long history together, with many rappers referencing comic characters and stories in their personas and music. Wu-Tang’s Ghostface Killah a.k.a. Ironman, a.k.a. Toney Starks is taken straight from Marvel Comics’ billionaire playboy (yet spelled differently for legal reasons). His crew mate, Method Man, also takes on another alias as Johnny Blaze, the alter ego of Ghost Rider. MF Doom’s mask and name are inspired by the Fantastic Four’s arch nemesis, Dr. Doom. Jean Grae comes from Jean Grey, founding member of the X-Men, also known as Marvel Girl and Phoenix. Big Punisher of the Terror Squad was named for the antihero, The Punisher. David Banner’s stage name is pulled from The Incredible Hulk television show featuring Lou Ferrigno (in which Bruce was renamed David)… and the list goes on and on.

“Spider-Reign” featuring Melissa Reign, photography by eRecto. Makeup by Sudana. Special Thanks to Ike Check and Vegas Vinyl.