10 Ways Hip-Hop and Comic Culture Collide

Hip-hop artists have a not-so-secret obsession with the world of comics.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Hip-hop culture and comic books are probably not things that belong together in your mind. There are numerous comic books created or inspired by hip-hop, however, including Ed Piskor's Hip-Hop Family Tree, and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels' self-titled graphic novel. But the relationship between the two cultures goes a lot deeper than what makes it to the page. From references in songs to personas, aliases, and art based on their favorite characters, hip-hop artists have a not-so-secret obsession with the world of comics, and it shows. 

We wanted to explore the similarities and influences that both hip-hop and comic books have on each other, so to add more to the conversation, we spoke to Depth of Field Magazine editor Patrick Reed. Reed is a writer and self-proclaimed "scholar of all things pop and awesome." His online publication has lots of interesting articles about comics, film and television, concerts, and other cool events around the world. Reed also organizes and moderates panels at conventions, including the recent "Hip-Hop & Comics: Cultures Combining" panel at both San Diego Comic Con and New York Comic Con, which included rappers, artists, DJs, writers, muralists, and other people who find themselves immersed in both cultures. Check out our list of 10 Ways Hip-Hop and Comic Culture Collide.

The have both grown out of other art forms.

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They both rely heavily on storytelling.

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Some comics embody "the feel" of hip-hop.

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In an article about the comic Rotten Apple by Sanford Greene and Chuck Brown, Reed wrote that despite not including any hip-hop elements written or drawn into its pages (rapping, breakdancing, etc.), the book is a "hip-hop comic" because of "the feel." We asked him to explain just what he meant by that:


It's the environment, the attitude, the style of hip-hop. It's the willingness to mix and match elements in ways that don't always make logical sense, but build the greater feeling. Think of how Pete Rock or Primo layer sounds from different sources, how Prince Paul incorporates the things he loves into a track that makes sense emotionally, even though you might pick it apart and say, "Funk and Sesame Street and Tennessee Ernie Ford and WHAT?" Rotten Apple does that beautifully; it embodies the style, the freewheeling open-mindedness of hip-hop, presented with the attitude and showmanship of a great MC.

Creators in both fields need to dig deeper than ever before for inspiration.

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Collaboration is key.

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They both involve alter egos and secret identities.

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They both started as forms of escapism.

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Dedicated fans of both fields keep the cultures alive and thriving.

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Their fans also use these cultures to express themselves.

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They both have grown enormously popular around the world.

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