RZA Remixes Black Tusk

There's just something about subversion that really gets me going—especially when it's on a corporate dime like Nike's. So news that Wu-Tang Clan's beloved RZA remixed Savannah, GA's dirtbag metallers Black Tusk was certainly intriguing, even if it did take a few minutes to wrap my brain around.

The collaboration was created as a soundtrack for the RZA vs. Nike 6.0 video series (in this case, it's RZA's vignette with BMX pro Garrett Reynolds) and features "The Takeoff" from Black Tusk's Relapse Records debut, Taste the Sin. And the sound? Pretty tasty and still thoroughly metal.

Wanna see? Check it out below. Better yet, download the song from the fine people at Nike.

Now if we can only get that Cash Money x Eyehategod collabo going...



And if you act now, you can also get this clip from RZA's legit horrorcore supergroup, Gravediggaz, for FREE.

Rewind: New York Comic Con 2010

I was good for what, two consecutive days, before I took an unscheduled leave of absence? The last few weeks have been pretty packed with New York Comic Con, CMJ, family commitments and day job activities, so there's sadly been a slowdown of posts. But some things, like NYCC, just can't be denied... so here goes.

The fifth annual convention has quickly become a destination event for thousands of comic culture fans from across the world, and it crackles with the same bubbling energy that San Diego Comic Con once generated before becoming an ADD nightmare awash with Hollywood poseurs. And to up the ante even further this year, ReedPop, the company behind NYCC decided to pair it with its other franchise—the New York Anime Festival—so the gatherings were happening concurrently on different floors of the Jacob Javits Center. Result? A glorious, anthropologically fascinating culture clash between under-aged cosplayers and 40-year-old dudes dressed as Green Arrow. Ah, my people.

Among the varied highlights were appearances by superstars like Jim Lee, Bruce Campbell and Amanda Conner, early trailers of AMC's incredible zombie mini-series The Walking Dead, announcements from DC that Anthony Bourdain will be writing a Vertigo graphic novel and a previews of a variety of digital comics. Even cartoon-theme cover band Powerglove had a booth. Add to that over 300 panels, a wide selection of vendors, hundreds of talent appearances and enough liver-butchering after parties to momentarily appease Charlie Sheen, you can be sure that there was something to be had for everyone... even if that something was a pair of Chubby Hubby sexy undies.

Yet I somehow managed to break down my very favorite moments from the con. Check 'em out below.

My Top 5 Favorite Things From NYCC 2010:

1. Boba Fett, Renegade Accordionist busking outside. To quote Stan Lee: "'Nuff said!" Photo by Tim Shey.

2. The Michael Jackson Experience Wii Game preview and watching people (especially kids) in costume playing it onstage for hours. So on my holiday wish list.

Jay & Silent Bob dance to "Beat It."

 3. The Marvel Comics Costume Contest... and all the amazing outfits it inspired (see: Bishop with boombox gun). And if you didn't witness the dance-off, you really missed something magical. More official Marvel pics here.

4. Freaks Meet Geeks—we all know who's who (the Anime people are definitely the former). Photo by excalipoor.

5. Forget Modern Family, we've got your real nuclear family right here. Several costumed families were seen meandering the halls. I figure there's about a fifty-fifty chance that kid's going to be in therapy. Even greater odds of family LARPing.

Want to see more photos? Check out the full set on Flickr.