Marvel hip hop covers have become incredibly popular over the past few years, with dozens of comic book variants cropping up based on some of the most popular rap albums of all time and illustrated by some of the best artists in the business. In fact, these covers have become so popular, that Marvel has even put together several hard cover collection called (fittingly enough) Marvel Hip-Hop Covers.
As fans of both comic book covers and music, we knew we had to put together our own list of our favorite issues. So slap on your Beats, turn up the bass and prepare to groove to the sweet flow of the 20 best Marvel hip hop covers of all time.
1. Spider-Man #1
Published: April 2016
Estimated Price: $130 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Illmatic by Nas.
Why We Picked It: Miles Morales has quickly become one of the most iconic new superheroes in decades. So it makes sense that he pay tribute to Nas’ 1994 album Illmatic, which is also considered by many to be one of the most iconic and influential hip hop albums of all time. With Marvel master artist Adi Granov working his own magic on this variant cover, this is a triple threat that any fan of Spider-Man and hip hop needs to have in their collection.
2. A-Force #1
Published: January 2016
Estimated Price: $25 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A.
Why We Picked It: Adam Hughes remains one of the greatest (and most collected) comic book cover artists of all time. So it makes sense that Marvel would give him N.W.A’s 1987 rap masterpiece Straight Outta Compton; an album so iconic that it’s even been enshrined in the Library of Congress. The end result is a hip hop cover variant that truly blends the best of both worlds (not to mention featuring some of Marvel’s greatest female superheroes).
3. Doctor Strange #1
Published: December 2015
Estimated Price: $35 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: The Chronic by Dr. Dre.
Why We Picked It: Marvel’s greatest doctor meets hip hop’s greatest doctor in this awesome hip hop cover variant by artist Juan Doe, which pays tribute to Dr. Dre’s iconic 1992 debut solo album The Chronic. The first doctor of course earned his dues as the Sorcerer Supreme, while the second doctor created the entire gangsta rap sub-genre of G-Funk, making them the perfect magical match-up.
4. Extraordinary X-Men #1
Published: November 2015
Estimated Price: $15 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: 3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Why We Picked It: Considered by many to be an extraordinary work of musical art, it makes sense that De La Soul’s groundbreaking 1989 hip hop masterpiece get its props from an extraordinary band of merry mutants. With variant art by Sanford Green, this is one book we absolutely had to include on our list of the best of the best Marvel hip hop cover variants.
5. All-New Wolverine #1
Published: January 2016
Estimated Price: $65 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood by DMX.
Why We Picked It: Let’s face: DMX and Weapon X are both the best at what they do. So it makes sense that we’d see a cover variant of DMX’s 1998 Platinum selling hip hop album, with tracks like “Ain’t No Way” and “Bring Your Whole Crew” remaining absolutely iconic. Featuring gorgeous art by Keron Grant that showcases a blood soaked X-23, this is one variant comic that blends the best of music and mutants.
6. Squadron Supreme #1
Published: December 2015
Estimated Price: $15 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan
Why We Picked It: When Wu-Tang’s debut album exploded onto the scene in 1993 it would change the rap game forever. That’s also the case with Squadron Supreme, a grittier, harder and more bad ass version of squeaky clean superhero teams like the Avengers. That’s why this awesome Marvel hip hop variant cover by Mike Del Mundo is spot on, showcasing two super groups that truly stand the test of time.
7. All New All Different Avengers #1
Published: January 2016
Estimated Price: $25 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Illadelph Halflife by The Roots
Why We Picked It: The Roots may just be hip hop’s greatest roster. Which is why it’s only fitting that Marvel’s greatest super group, the Avengers, pay tribute to the Roots’ seminal 1996 album. And they manage to pull it off perfectly with this stunning variant cover by the great Jim Cheung. Nuff’ said.
8. All-New Hawkeye #1
Published: November 2015
Estimated Price: $15 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Mecca And The Soul Brother by Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Why We Picked It: Widely considered the greatest hip hop duo of all time, Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s 1992 debut album is a bona fide masterpiece, with their track “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)”, inspiring countless other artists. Which is why it makes sense that Marvel would pay tribute with its own dynamic duo of the two Hawkeyes. With incredible variant art by Sanford Greene, both the album and the comic prove that good things really do come in twos.
9. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1
Published: October 2015
Estimated Price: $35 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Wolf by Tyler, the Creator
Why We Picked It: Tyler, the Creator might be one of the biggest underdog rappers of all time, but he’s since exploded onto the scene with his mix of oddball style, incredible beats and amazing lyrics. In the comic book world Squirrel Girl is a similar underdog (or is that underrodent?), going from throwaway punchline to popular headliner in the span of a few years. That’s why this incredible variant comic cover by Phil Noto perfectly captures two quirky and unbeatable pop culture icons.
10. Spider-Man / Deadpool #1
Published: March 2016
Estimated Price: $25 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Paid In Full by Eric B and Rakim
Why We Picked It: With a coveted spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, Eric B and Rakim’s 1987 debut album Paid in Full is a foundational hip hop masterpiece, with tracks like “I Ain’t No Joke” etched into musical history. So it makes sense that two of Marvel’s most popular heroes, Spider-Man and Deadpool, would pay homage to the golden age rap duo in this stunning variant cover by Dave Johnson.
11. Howard the Duck #1
Published: October 2015
Estimated Price: $25 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version by Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Why We Picked It: The late, great Ol’ Dirty Bastard remains one of hip hop’s most iconic rappers, and nowhere is his style and flow more evident than in his 1995 debut album (which was produced by and featured countless performances from his Wu-Tang Clan comrades). Now ODB gets props yet again, thanks to this spot on variant cover by Juan Doe, which features the equally foul-mouthed foul known as Howard the Duck.
12. Invincible Iron Man #1
Published: December 2015
Estimated Price: $18 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ by 50 Cent
Why We Picked It: Considered by many to be one of the greatest rap albums of all time, 50 Cent’s 2003 debut album features guest appearances from Eminem, Nate Dogg and Young Buck. So it’s no surprise that this classic album is the perfect choice a Marvel hip hop cover. Illustrated by Brian Stelfreeze and featuring Iron Man himself (a hero who also knows a thing or two about how to get rich or die trying) it’s one cover we absolutely had to include on this list.
13. Uncanny X-Men #1
Published: March 2016
Estimated Price: $5 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: The Geto Boys by The Geto Boys
Why We Picked It: As one of the first southern rap groups on the scene, The Geto Boys paved the way for countless future hip hop acts, with members Scarface, Willie D and the late Bushwick Bill often unfairly vilified by the media for the dark and controversial topics the explored in their music. So it makes sense that a few of the X-Men’s darkest and most controversial villains would pay their respects in this amazing variant cover by Greg Land.
14. Old Man Logan #1
Published: March 2016
Estimated Price: $20 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: Death Certificate by Ice Cube
Why We Picked It: Ice Cube remains one of hip hop’s original rappers, with his second studio album Death Certificate from 1991 cementing his place in musical history. Similarly, Logan remains the Marvel universe’s OG hero, slicing and dicing his own way into the history books. Mix them both together and you have this incredible comic book variant cover by Tim Bradstreet.
15. Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #1
Published: June 2017
Estimated Price: $25 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On the Album: All Eyez on Me by Tupac Shakur
Why We Picked It: In the hallowed halls of hip hop heroes, there are none greater than 2Pac. So it makes total sense that Marvel’s greatest hero, Spider-Man, pay tribute in this stunning variant cover by Sam Spratt. And while there are plenty of 2Pac albums that stand the test of the time, it’s hard to top his last (and arguably greatest) album, the 1996 rap masterpiece All Eyez on Me.
16. Rocket Raccoon and Groot #1
Published: March 2016
Estimated Price: $5 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On: King of Rock by Run-D.M.C
Why We Picked It: In the golden age of early rap, there are few names bigger than Run-D.M.C. Their second studio album, King of Rock, is arguably when they came into their own, featuring jaw-dropping rhymes and catchy guitar licks. The cover art also remains some of the most iconic, showcasing the group’s tongue-in-cheek attitude, which is why it’s the perfect choice for this Groot and Rocket variant cover by Khary Randolph.
17. Mighty Thor #1
Published: January 2016
Estimated Price: $45 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On: Madvillainy by Madvillain (MF Doom and Madlib)
Why We Picked It: When the hip hop duo Madvillain exploded onto the scene in 2004, they become a bonafide phenomenon (not to mention having one of the sickest album covers of all time). The same can also be said of Jane Foster as Thor, who has become so popular she’s now headlining her own MCU film (and this amazing variant comic book cover by Mike Deodato Jr.). In other words, combining this album and Marvel (a universe with its own share of mad villainy) seems like a match made in hip hop comic heaven.
18. Uncanny Avengers #1
Published: December 2015
Estimated Price: $10 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On: Yo! Bum Rush The Show by Public Enemy
Why We Picked It: Considered one of the most influential rap albums of all time, Public Enemy’s 1987 opus paved the way fo an entire generation of rappers. With Chuck D and Flavor Flav later assembling some of the great hip hop artists of all time, it’s only fitting that the Avengers assemble and pay tribute with this gorgeous variant cover by Jason Pearson.
19. Ultimates #1
Published: January 2016
Estimated Price: $30 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On: The Score by the Fugees
Why We Picked It: The second and final album by legendary hip hop trio The Fugees, showcases the range and artistic wizardry of Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel and Lauryn Hill. This variant cover by the great Mike Deadoto (who’s illustrated some of the best Marvel hip hop covers around) is also a true work of art and one we absolutely had to include on this list.
20. Black Panther #1
Published: June 2016
Estimated Price: $50 USD (Raw High Grade)
Based On: The Black Album by Jay-Z
Why We Picked It: Featuring an all-star cast of guest rappers and producers that includes Kanye West, Eminem, Timbaland, Rick Rubin and Pharrell Williams, among others, The Black Album is pure hip hop perfection. Which is why it’s no surprise that Marvel chose this iconic album for the Black Panther variant cover, with stunning art by Brian Stelfreeze that pays tribute to both T’Challa and Jay-Z, two great kings who stand above the rest.
So there you have it, our picks for the 20 best Marvel hip hop covers of all time. Are there any you think we missed? Let us know if the comments below.
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