THE CVLT OF DOOM! Outlaws in Ink. Rebels in Rhyme. Icons in Masks.

What happens when a Marvel supervillain and an underground rap icon share the spotlight? Cincinnati is about to find out. On April 26th, “THE CVLT OF DOOM” will descend upon the city’s Northside art space DSGN CLLCTV, uniting fans of Doctor Doom and MF DOOM in a one-of-a-kind celebration of the masked villain mystique. Part comic-con style art tribute, part music-fueled block party, this event is a cross-genre love letter to the myth of the masked antihero. Whether your fandom lies in hip-hop, comic books, or both, “THE CVLT OF DOOM” speaks to the inner geek and the inner rebel in equal measure.

At the core of the event are two legendary figures named DOOM: one, Marvel Comics’ armored arch-villain Dr. Victor Von Doom of Fantastic Four infamy; the other, the late MF DOOM, the influential rapper who donned a Doctor Doom-inspired mask and persona throughout his career. THE CVLT OF DOOM art show pays tribute to both icons simultaneously, drawing parallels between comic book lore and hip-hop mythology. Attendees will step into a visually striking realm where street art collides with comic illustration: graffiti murals share space with pop-surrealist paintings and even tiny sculptural surprises (keep an eye out for a miniature MF DOOM portrait painted on an actual Tic Tac, courtesy of micro-sculptor Steve Casino!). The artist roster reads like a who’s who of contemporary underground art. It features luminaries such as L’amour Supreme himself, known for his bold comic-influenced designs; Steve “ESPO” Powers, the legendary sign-painter turned street art icon; New York wildstyle pioneer CES (aka Wish); Denver’s Birdseed Anthony; Cincinnati’s own Pam Kravetz; and tattoo/illustration legend Mike Giant, among many others. Each artist offers their unique take on the masked villain theme, from lavish portraits of DOOM’s metal face to imaginative mash-ups of hip-hop and comic book imagery.

“This show is a fanboy (and fangirl) fever dream,” laughs Chris Breeden, curator and co-founder of DSGN CLLCTV. “We’ve got artists who grew up on comic books and boom-bap rap, pouring all that passion into their pieces. The result is something that feels like a comic convention art gallery crossed with an underground hip-hop show. You’ll see canvases that could be comic covers, street art tributes to Kirby-style villains, even custom toys and collectibles inspired by DOOM. It’s all the worlds colliding.” Breeden’s curation, guided by an idea dreamt up by his friend L’amour Supreme (an artist known for blending comic aesthetics with street art), ensures that both halves of DOOM get their due. Attendees can hunt for Easter eggs in the art: perhaps a tiny “MF” hidden in a Doctor Doom portrait, or lyrical references inscribed in graffiti. The show invites viewers to consider the appeal of the antihero archetype across mediums. Why do we cheer for characters shrouded in mystery and moral gray areas? “Doctor Doom and MF DOOM may come from different universes, but they tap into the same rebel spirit that fans find captivating,” notes Breeden. “This exhibit is about celebrating that spirit – the villain-as-hero, the outsider genius – in as many creative forms as we can.”

Besides soaking in the art, fans will witness live moments that further blend comic culture with hip-hop. Fittingly, L’amour Supreme will be live-painting a giant MF DOOM mural on the gallery’s exterior wall during the event – picture a street art performance where the Marvel villain’s mask meets the hip-hop icon’s face in one colossal image. As the mural comes to life, the soundtrack of the night kicks in: DJs (including Cincinnati’s own champion turntablists The Animal Crackers) will spin a genre-bending mix of tunes, from classic MF DOOM tracks and superhero theme songs to other rap deep cuts loaded with comic references. It’s an audio-visual mash-up of comic con and concert – at one corner you might discuss Kirby artwork with an artist, at another you’re nodding your head to DOOM’s Madvillainy album playing over the speakers. Don’t be surprised to see attendees showing up in costume either: DOOM masks, Doctor Doom cosplays, and vintage Marvel tees are highly encouraged to heighten the fun, and to truly make the night feel like stepping into a supervillain’s lair. DSGN CLLCTV’s gritty, graffiti-lined interior will serve as the perfect backdrop for this villainous affair, practically begging to be compared to Castle Doom’s dungeon or an NYC basement hip-hop club.

Bridging these worlds is part of the mission. Eddie Donaldson, veteran street art curator and self-professed hip hop nerd, underscores the deeper connection at play. “At their core, comics and hip-hop are about storytelling,” Donaldson says. “MF DOOM understood that – he built a whole narrative around a comic-book villain to express himself. And comic fans love a good crossover story. THE CVLT OF DOOM is like a giant crossover event: music, comics, art, all these storylines meeting. It shows how overlapping these subcultures really are.” Donaldson points out that graffiti artists have been sneaking superheroes into murals for decades, and rappers reference Marvel characters in lyrics — but this is a rare moment where the community celebrates it together outright. That community aspect will extend to an artist talk at Arnold’s Bar & Grill the day of the show, where artists, comic creators, and fans will discuss the interplay of comic art and hip-hop. Imagine a panel that feels part Comic-Con, part hip-hop history lesson, held in the laid-back setting of Cincinnati’s oldest bar – exactly the kind of cross-pollination that “THE CVLT OF DOOM” stands for.

For comic book aficionados and hip-hop heads alike, “THE CVLT OF DOOM” is shaping up to be a legendary team-up event. It’s a chance to geek out on Doctor Doom and drop references to MF DOOM in the same breath, to celebrate the art of the villain in all its forms. If you’ve ever cheered for the bad guy or rocked a Metalface mask at a show, this is your scene. Don’t miss this ultimate meeting of minds (and masks) on April 26th – an art event where DOOM rules all.

Artist list: Adam Henry, Andy Sahoza, AWAL, Birdseed Anthony, Brian Methe, Carla Lamb, Carter Gilliss, CES, Chris Gliebe, Christen Collins, Chroma Projects, Dan Goodsell, Danny Gamble, Dead Prey Gallery, Doug Sovonick, Ed Piskor, Eli Ebersole, EMPR CTZNS, Jake Staubitz, Jason Snell, Javarri Lewis, Jenny Ustick, Jet, Jim Effler, Jim “Taz” Evans, Jim Nilson (aka goikicks), Joe Vanderhatert, John Lanzador, Josh Stout, Karen Saunders, Keith Neltner, KONQR, L’amour Supreme, Martian Code, MAST, Matt Wiseman, MERZ, Mike Giant, Pam Kravetz, Randy Smith, Richard Chance, Rob Warnick, Robot Inside, Steve Casino, Steve ESPO Powers, STUCK,T.C. Flowers, Technique 2012, The Bots, The Dye Bros, UFOREK, Wu Stitch

Exhibition and Event Details: “THE CVLT OF DOOM” opens Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM at DSGN CLLCTV (4150 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH). The evening features an art exhibition with 50+ artists, live mural painting, and DJ sets until late. Attendees are welcome to wear their favorite DOOM or comic-themed gear. Admission is free and family-friendly. An artist/creator talk will be held Saturday, April 26 at 1:00 PM at Arnold’s Bar & Grill (downtown Cincinnati), for further discussions on comics, hip-hop, and art.

Author Profile

Al Mega: I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!