Post-Punk and New Wave Singers as Comic Book Superheroes

Post-Punk Superheroes by Butcher Billy

Did you just blink twice and find yourself in a parallel universe where Ian Curtis is the Dark Knight and Siouxsie Sioux rocks bullet-proof bracelets? Unfortunately, no, but you are looking at the amazing artistic convergence of new wave and post-punk musicians with comic book superheroes.

Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo as The Flash. Post-punk Superheroes by Butcher Billy.

These epic pairings are the handiwork of a Brazil-based graphic designer and illustrator called Butcher Billy. Mr. Billy depicts Morrissey (Smiths) as Superman, Robert Smith (The Cure) as Plastic Man, Johnny Lydon (Sex Pistols, Public Image Limited) as Firestorm, Ian Curtis (Joy Division) as Batman, Siouxsie Sioux (Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Creatures) as Wonder Woman, Billy Idol (Generation X) as Aquaman and probably my favorite–Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) as The Flash.

Post-punk Superheroes by Butcher Billy.

The artist poses some rhetorical questions:

What makes a pop culture icon? Would it be the effect of their contribution to a cultural movement? Is it the way they impact the time and the generation they are targeting? Or just how their exposure constitutes a defining characteristic of a given society or era?

And to that I’ll add: Do we consider their impact on other art forms (like these Joy Division and Smiths albums as books in poster form!) as evidence of their enduring legacy?

Robert Smith of The Cure as Plasticman. Post-punk Superheroes by Butcher Billy.

Growing up in the 80s, Butcher Billy was influenced by “everything from Saturday morning cartoons on TV to the music coming from the radio.” He continues:

Ian Curtis or Johnny Rotten are as iconic to me as Superman or Batman. Real people or imaginary characters, the incorruptible ideals of perfect superheroes or the human flaws and desires sometimes so desperately depicted in song lyrics–all of those influences affect us to the point of defining our character and personality, career paths and life choices.

I unequivocally agree with that! These artists and their music defines me to this day.

Billy concludes: “The references [to which] we are exposed and specifically the ones we choose to absorb make us who we are. Who are your heroes?”

All of the above of course! Butcher Billy’s new wave and post-punk superheroes are available as affordable art prints ($20 for an 8×10), T-shirts, gadget skins and more in his online shop. (While you’re there…sad sack gamers may enjoy his 8-Bit Smiths project and Clockwork Orange aficionados might delight in imagining what if Nickelodeon was into Ultraviolence?)

Morrissey as Superman. Post-punk Superheroes by Butcher Billy.

Click through for the rest of the post-punk superheroes, which do not (yet) include, but (hint, hint for future series) count among their contemporaries (a few suggestions) Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, Lux Interior of The Cramps, Marc Almond of Soft Cell, Mark E. Smith of The Fall, Nina Hagen, Lydia Lunch, James Chance…

Billy Idol as Aquaman. Post-punk Superheroes by Butcher Billy.

Johnny Lydon of PiL as Firestorm. Post-punk Superheroes by Butcher Billy.

Ian Curtis of Joy Division as Batman. Post-punk Superheroes by Butcher Billy.

Street cred! Undead undead undead…

Post-punk Superheroes by Butcher Billy.

[Hat tip to Dangerous Minds!]

One Comment