History of Rap Luminaries Chronicled in ‘Cypress Hill: Tres Equis’ as Told By Hip Hop Scholars Noah Callahan-Bever and Gabriel Alvarez with brand new cover art from Mister Cartoon
“Art has always been a major influence in our lives and our music. As kids we would read comic books that were full of heroes achieving the impossible. 30 years later, I would have never thought we would get a chance to tell our story this way,” says B Real.
Sen Dog adds, “The story of Cypress Hill in a graphic novel is the perfect way to illustrate the time and place where the group was born.”
1991: XXX years ago, a trailblazing trio made music history blending East Coast hip-hop fundamentals with West Coast chicano swagger to form a sound all their own. Before they became icons, Louis and Senen were just a couple teenage cholos from around the way, trying to stay out of trouble–Until a series of chance encounters with both sides of the law changed their path forever. Guest-starring Officer O’Malley, Sister Maggie, and many more!
Gabriel Alvarez says “I’ve always loved Cypress and comic books so them together is like nacho cheese and chips, Cheech reunited with Chong, or tequila mixed with lime. It’s been fun re-connecting with Noah and every time I see the Cypress artwork I’m blown away. It’s incredible. I can’t wait to get my own copy. Thank you Z2 for making a dream come true. And thank you Cypress Hill for making some of the greatest music I’ve ever heard.”
“This is a dream project. Growing up I had two loves: comic books and hip-hop music. I’ve been fortunate to spend the last 25 years working around hip-hop, as a journalist and music executive, but never got the opportunity to realize my dreams of making a comic” says co-writer Noah Callahan-Bever. “So to get to scratch that itch—and to do it in collaboration with,Cypress Hill, one of the greatest rap groups of all time; and Gabriel Alvarez, one of my mentors from ego trip, as well as the all-star line-up of artists that Z2 has assembled—is undeniably a professional grail moment.”
Cypress Hill: Tres Equis is written by Noah Callahan-Bever (Complex) & Gabriel Alvarez (ego trip) and illustrated by Felix Ruiz (Wolverine MAX), Jefte Palo (Taskmaster), Juan Gedeon (Venom), Damion Scott (Marvel’s Voices), Angel Hernandez (Star Trek/Green Lantern) and Paris Alleyne (AFTERFLIFT). This landmark graphic novel event will be available in three formats: a standard 160 page softcover, a deluxe hardcover edition, and a strictly limited super deluxe edition. All are available to preorder now, in both English and Spanish language editions with the deluxe and super deluxe editions packaged an exclusive LP edition of their self-titled debut on green vinyl with all-new cover art by Ricardo Lopez Ortiz, special edition art prints by Ortiz, Scott and Gedeon; and much more! The standard edition will be released in finer comic shops and bookstores everywhere in August, with deluxe and super deluxe editions ONLY available directly from Z2! Reserve yours today!