Marvel Announces "Run the Jewels" Variants for April

Marvel, in collaboration with the rap group, Run The Jewels, will be release two unique variant covers to celebrate the one of the currently most distinctive and celebrated names in rap. Deadpool #250, by Skottie Young,and Howard the Duck #2, by Mahmud Asrar, will feature Deadpool, Howard the Duck and Rocket Raccoon, as they display their love for this rap group by replicating their socially iconic logo on these variant covers.

First debuting on RollingStone.com, Axel Alonso talks about his awareness of the “tag the jewels” movement and how he was first introduced to its cultural significance by one of his son’s football games. "He caught a touchdown pass that won the game. And on the sidelines, he took off his glove and he pointed at it and his friends were going "Run them jewels fast," Alonso tells RS, quoting the chorus to RTJ's ‘Close Your Eyes.’

"Seeing the way that my 11-year-old son and his friends were improv-ing off of this really vibrant, iconic image…It got me thinking. If you've got this movement around the world from Bangladesh to Taiwan, people are doing their interpretations of this logo, and I got these roughnecks doing it on the sideline of a football game…maybe Marvel could weight in on this and have some fun."

Run The Jewels, featuring El-P and Killer Mike, two of the most distinctive and celebrated names in rap, might have seemed like an unlikely pairing on paper, but the duo subverted and pulverized all expectations with their critically lauded Run The Jewels 2 collaborative LP last year. Tapping into the creative synergy they’d discovered on their 2013 debut, Run The Jewels cemented their musical alliance with a set of uncompromisingly raw, forward thinking hip-hop, garnering limitless critical accolades including album of the year nods from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Newsweek, SPIN, Complex, and more.

Fans can get their hands on these two variant covers exclusively in comic shops this April!

HOWARD THE DUCK #2 RUN THE JEWELS VARIANT

Cover Art by MAHMUD ASRAR

On Sale in April!

DEADPOOL NUMBER 250 (a.k.a. DEADPOOL #45) RUN THE JEWELS VARIANT

Cover Art by SKOTTIE YOUNG

On Sale in April!

Seriously...So now we are celebrating crime and thug mentality in comics? Not liking this on a lot of levels...

So sick. RTJ released one of the best albums last year. This is awesome of Marvel, El-P & Killer Mike were so psyched about this

OH DANM SOOOOO Dope ROket Raccoon and Howard The duck with the RTJ 2 ALBUM COVER!!!!!!!!!!

THIS is the best thing I have seen today.

~MiB

~MiB

Also, this is the first time I've ever heard of Run the Jewels.

The Deadpool cover would make a sick shirt design ! Congrats to Killer Mike and El-P !!!

I don't even like rap but Run the Jewels' album last year was fantastic. I'm up for it.

@xwraith: ITs very good m

@dagmar_merrill: You're talking about their album, right?

I actually don't listen to hip-hop a lot. And when I do, it's older stuff.

What the heck is run the jewels?

@xwraith: Yes.

And I know, just thought I'd put it out there in case you were wondering and thought about giving it a listen to.

Run The Jewels is a song, album and rap duo....

Run The Jewels, featuring El-P and Killer Mike, two of the most distinctive and celebrated names in rap, might have seemed like an unlikely pairing on paper, but the duo subverted and pulverized all expectations with their critically lauded Run The Jewels 2 collaborative LP last year. Tapping into the creative synergy they’d discovered on their 2013 debut, Run The Jewels cemented their musical alliance with a set of uncompromisingly raw, forward thinking hip-hop, garnering limitless critical accolades including album of the year nods from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Newsweek, SPIN, Complex, and more.

Run the Jewels single handily restored my faith in hip-hop/Rap.

HIGHLY recommed both their albums

Cool covers. Too bad I'm old and out of touch and had to google what this was.

So Sick! The Deadpool/Thanos version needs to be a Tshirt ASAP!! RTJ 1&2 both dope albums.

dang Captain. you are getting old!

~MiB

Awesome!!!

That, Deadpool cover would make a dope T-shirt & i would buy it.

the art on the second image is TERRIBLE. Looks like a tagger who'd been inhaling his own spraycan fumes for an hour before starting "work".

@shazam117:

There hits are nothing more than a collection of Hot Garbage! And to be fair, my issue with the current crop of artist is more with the production and beats then the Mc's themselves...so even though their styles are weak, mix that with amateur hour beats is why I know longer listen to music anymore.

But I am out of the 18-35 yr old demographic, so I think I have the old school hate in my blood hahaha

Nice.

I like the Deadpool variant quite a bit.

Nice.

Don't know who they are, but hey they're variants so whoever wants them go get them.

I was about to make this thread but found out it had been made :/ Anyway pretty awesome, don't know much about Howard the duck or even Deadpool but these covers are sick. Love Run The Jewels.

Ballin' out of control.

@mrfuzzynutz: Have you actually listened to their music, because everything you're saying is incorrect.

They've both criticized such during there solo careers and neither of the run the jewels albums have really been like that.

Well basically every major critic that reviewed their albums have so far disagreed with you and just saying they suck doesn't actually make it such. Also hits? There not exactly insanely popular, none of their music videos have even managed to break a million views.

They've both been putting out stuff for well over 10 years, they're hardly the current crop just because they decided to collaborate now.

El-P ametour hour? Weak beats? What exactly are you getting that from.

@mrfuzzynutz said:

Got it: Rap music = thug culture.

@kal_smahboi: Nice lol

That Howard the Duck cover though.

If that was an actual record... I'd play the hell out of it.

Same here. And I would buy a second one to hang on the wall.

I don't have any real interest in the book, but I might pick it up just for the cover.

I know the feeling. I have never read an Aqua Man book, but that cover coming out in a couple of the parody from Free Willy is something I want to get.

I almost forgot about that one. I loved it too (and incidentally, that's the first movie I can remember seeing in a theater).

Power Rangers Turbo was my first in theater movie lol.

@skit:

Ok first..let me be completely clear on this. I'm 40 and been through a different era of music and culture. So please keep this in mind my views are based on a world that no longer exists. My Hip Hop no longer exists, what I have lived through will not the same experience as others. And as a result I respect that fact and choice to say my taste in the genre is clearly dated and should be taken with a grain of salt. The 18-35 demographic is in effect for a reason. Your tastes change, you remember more then you experience at this age. Been there and done that is a true statement lol.

So again I concede that generational gap, and acknowledge I am just not meant to understand the music RTJ is putting out..I seriously doubt they are trying to rock to a father of 3 putting 1 threw college. Just not a good look.

Now that being said..

1) The Thug criticism wasn't for their music, it is the imagery and the name...Back in my day...Someone told you to Run something...you were getting robbed,so Run The jewels is a great name, but where I'm from...Run the jewels with a gun, means your no longer a owner of your jewelry..I.e the Crime and Thug culture comment, Like using Suicidal Tendencies to be the pitch men for Breast Cancer awareness

also to Kal'smahboi and others who questions the statement THUG LIFE and think that it was a negative term, learn your history,son

2) Yes Beats..Production.. One of the original 4 elements of Hip Hop, the music that is being produced is weak, and uninspired to me. Again...ask anyone who is 10 years or older then you..they will no doubt claim that heir music was the best! Just the way it is and will be. The sound has changed over the years.

So back to my original statement I have an issue with Marvel trying to capitalize on something that promotes a negative imagery. No different if they attempted to throw up W's and dress in Blue and Red. Not something the industry need to get behind in my completely ancient and archaic view apparently...I do applaud and respect those who voiced there opinion just a shame we disagreed so much on the issue lol

that album was decent at best. this crossover reeks of like an old white man trying to be hip with the kiddies. they might as well make a rocket raccoon rap song with jay-z or something.....

@mrfuzzynutz: How to be ignorant 101.

Well...okay then

@xwraith: Me too.

At least these special covers aren't affecting EVERY series.

Keep your ignorant racist generalizations off of comicvine this is about one of the only places I DONT have to deal with that ignorant white superiority mentality, go end your life.