t� :: Shawn Crystal

Miles Morales (Run The Jewels Variant)

Artist: Shawn Crystal (All)

21 Comments - 674 Views - 17 Likes

Miles Morales (Run The Jewels Variant) Comic Art

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Additional Images:

First RTJ logo appearance in Illuminati

Killer Mic print by Shawn Crystal

Pic

Artwork Details

Title:	Miles Morales (Run The Jewels Variant)
Artist:	Shawn Crystal (All)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Commission
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	674
Likes on CAF:	17 18
Comments:	21
Added to Site:	11/18/2022
Comic Art Archive:

Description

�And that's about the psyche of Jaime and Mikey�

Rewind back to HeroesCon this year. What a lovely event.

I had the true pleasure of meeting Jim Mahfood and Shawn Crystal, and ended up talking to them at the art auction on Saturday evening. Shawn and I got into a discussion about music and we realized that we both loved music, and especially the hip hop duo, Run The Jewels.

Shawn was actually the first Marvel artist to incorporate the �RTJ� logo into a comic and did so on Luke Cage's shirt in the Illuminati series (see additional image). This was followed by Marvel doing a number of different variant covers that paid tribute to the group, and featured artists such as Skottie Young and Nick Gazin. Killer Mike and El-P have since made a cameo in an issue of Marauders as well.

So to say I was excited to learn of his enthusiasm for the group was an understatement. (If any of you reading this met me at Heroes, you would know that I pretty much was overstimulated for 72 hours, lost my voice due to repeated excitement, and can not wait to do it all over again next year.) As I finished up talking to Shawn, he mentioned that he had done a print for Killer Mike and had them at his booth and would give me one! (see additional image)

Fast forward a couple months later and was thinking about commission ideas. I kept Shawn in the back of my mind, remembering that his painted pieces caught my attention. I have previously commissioned Spider-Man, but I realized I never specify Miles Morales. Time to fix that. The idea started as Miles fighting Juggernaut, but I scrapped that when I realized that he had to work RTJ in there somehow!

As you can see, the end result is stunning.

First of all, the color scheme is over the top! Look at his outfit!!! Not only is Miles costume extremely vibrant to a neon point, but the colors used also create an entirely original feel. �Is it the shoes??? -NBA JAM T.E.� Dig the character pose as well, as Spider-Man is looking back winking at us. The combination of colors that make up the tagged wall, along with the final lighting effect is outstanding. The fluorescent highlights of the skyscrapers and windows, and the gorgeous blue sky also add to the overall feel. The combination of these elements help create one very bright city night.

Now onto the wall itself. This piece is not only full of color, but has just as much heart in the form of graffiti. Jaime and Mikey appropriately make up the majority of the wall with the signature RTJ sign. Shawn did a great job here of capturing both. The fact that you can still see the mortar joints between the blocks is also such a nice touch. He could have easily just made the whole mural solid, but those block lines really add an important amount of detail, right down to the reflection on El-P's shades!

Here is a breakdown of the multiple tags at the top of the wall:
-Top left is �RIP Tame1�. Paying tribute to Tame One, a rapper and graffiti artist who just recently passed away. Tame One was a member of the Weathermen and also collaborated with Del The Funky Homosapien. Weathermen were a super group in the late 90's/early 00's and featured members such as El-P himself, Aesop Rock (diehard fan btw), Cage, and the late Camu Tao, among many others. The Weathermen group were formed during El-P's early days and the Definitive Jux era, and this is a nice tribute to yet another great artist gone.

-Below �RIP Tame1� is �RTJ� in full graffiti letters.

-To the right of the RTJ graffiti is a FoodOne tag, shouting out the notorious, talented, and one of a kind comic artist, Jim Mahfood, which we all know and love.

-Above that, Miles wrote his own name, and so did Shawn!

-You can see a number 4 on the can that Miles is holding, this is the number of RTJ's most current album. Although it's actually just the brand of spray paint he is using, MTN 94.

-Top right is a nod to rapper Cuz Lightyear, not to be confused with the Cuzz Lightyear meme. Cuz Lightyear got his start in the mid 2000's with Killer Mike, and appeared on his second solo album. This was post Outkast era, but before Killer Mike's epic R.A.P. Music, which was produced by El-P, and featured their first track together, ultimately leading to the formation of Run The Jewels.

Overall, I am thrilled with how this commission turned out. Music has always held a special importance to me as I have progressed through life, and to see instances where there is crossover with other things that I love, such as comics, is something I truly can not get enough of.

A sincere thank you goes to Shawn Crystal and Jason at Essential Sequential. Shawn officially killed it. You can bet your ass he is getting a high five next year at Heroes.

11x17 pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic

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About the Owner

	Tyler T ( 4 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	November 2020
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
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Comments on this Artwork

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James S
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 11/18/2022

Great piece, Tyler!

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

Posted on 11/18/2022

James S wrote:

Great piece, Tyler!

Thanks James!!

George H
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 11/18/2022

Great write up and great piece! Shawn has been killing it on these color pieces and you know I love seeing Miles and RTJ on the same page. And gotta love the combo of purple, orange, red and green and that super cool sky texture. So much to love.

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 11/18/2022

George H wrote:

Thank you George, he really has. And I know you love the crossover as much as I do! The colors really are something else, especially up close.

Eranga Devasurendra
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 11/19/2022

Just a fantastic piece man! The perfect subject matter for Shawn!

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

Posted on 11/19/2022

Eranga Devasurendra wrote:

Just a fantastic piece man! The perfect subject matter for Shawn!

Thanks Eranga!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 11/19/2022

Crossing comic art and music could be a dangerous path. This has the great street at energy to it and Miles would be definitely be on the fashion tip of street wear.

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 11/19/2022

Marcus Wai wrote:

Crossing comic art and music could�be a dangerous path.� This has the great street at energy to it and Miles would be definitely be on the fashion tip of street wear.

Dangerous as in awesome! Thanks Marcus!

Wolvie Fan
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 11/19/2022

Miles Morales is pulling his best Banksy impression! Killer street art vibe

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

Posted on 11/20/2022

Wolvie Fan wrote:

Miles Morales is pulling his best Banksy impression!� Killer street art vibe

Couldn't be said any better, thanks Rob!

Dave W
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 11/23/2022

Great scene and the colors are really well done - love the vibe! CongraTTulations!

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

Posted on 11/23/2022

Dave W wrote:

Great scene and the colors are really well done - love the vibe! CongraTTulations!

First time I've seen the double T in congrat. You are an innovator and I love it. Thanks Dave!

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 11/23/2022

Dude, SO much poured in this! And I'm sure you've pored over it much :)

Pure illustration, unique styling, outrageous colors, RTN and Miles...this one's got it all, as they say! BIG congrats!

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 11/23/2022

K Gearon wrote:

Dude, SO much poured in this!� And I'm sure you've pored over it much :)

Pure illustration, unique styling, outrageous colors, RTN and Miles...this one's got it all, as they say!� BIG congrats!��

He really went all out! Oh man, it came together better than I would have ever imagined. Thanks Kahlil!

S Riz
Member Since 2014

1 - Posted on 11/27/2022

I always enjoy checking out your commissions. Big Hip Hop fan myself so this piece resonates with me too. Killer Mike has some great lines btw..we all talk havin greens but none of us own acres...

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

Posted on 11/27/2022

S Riz wrote:

I always enjoy checking out your commissions.� Big Hip Hop fan myself so this piece�resonates with me too.��Killer Mike has some great lines btw..we all talk havin�greens�but none of us own acres...

Thank you, I appreciate hearing that. Awesome! Shawn was really excited being a fan as well, and it shows in the end result.

Joe A
Member Since 2019

Posted on 11/28/2022

Shawn is criminally underated. Not only is he a great guy to meet at conventions, but he's been putting out stellar work. I love his b&w inked work but his paints just pop off the page. Great color selections. He really excels, I feel, when he brings a hip hop sensibility to a drawing. Congrats on an amazing commission!

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 11/28/2022

Joe A wrote:

Thank you, and could not agree more! Really glad that he got to go all out on this. The end result is nothing short of amazing.

A K
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 12/8/2022

What a brilliant concept/execution! The colors are stunning as is the figure work. I could just stare at this for hours...

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 12/8/2022

A K wrote:

What a brilliant concept/execution!� The colors are stunning as is the figure work.� I could just stare at this for hours...

He absolutely nailed it! You sincerely can....:)

Nash of the Titans
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 3/17/2025

Brilliant. Miles, graffiti and RTJ in one swoop? Hip Hop heaven at its finest and laid out perfectly on comic board.

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