Comic Books

Ed Piskor on ‘Hip Hop Family Tree’ and its new 10th anniversary omnibus

Ed Piskor unpacks the vital series ahead of its biggest book to date.

October 17, 2023

Hip Hop Family Tree is one of those rare opportunities that bring together fans of both music and comics. Following the unique and compelling history of some of hip-hop’s greatest artists, the series has delved into untold and often underappreciated moments in the culture’s grand history (which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year). It’s also a work that features some of writer-artist Ed Piskor’s best efforts, expertly capturing the hand-drawn style that proves decidedly rare these days.

The Fantagraphics-published project is now getting the omnibus treatment, which includes all-new annotations by Piskor himself. Due out this week (October 17), Hip Hop Family Tree Omnibus will be among the title’s most definitive offerings, but will it be the last and final chapter?

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I was lucky enough to chat with Piskor about that and more in time for the 10th anniversary of the series. Aside from the book itself, Piskor also had some some insights into Red Room: Crypto Killaz! just in time for the spooky season.

Ed Piskor unpacks new 'Hip Hop Family Tree' omnibus

Courtesy of Fantagraphics.

AIPT: First off, I’m a big fan of Hip Hop Family Tree and it’s about time it’s getting an omnibus! Was getting all chapters into one collection always the game plan?

Ed Piskor: It’s the 10-year anniversary, which means to me that there are probably 2 generations of new comic readers who I want to share this book with. Cobbling them all together in one book would make it easier for new readers to access it. Adding all the stuff we did to make this a deluxe package might inspire earlier readers for a revisit.

AIPT: The Hip Hop Family Tree omnibus has new extra material. How did you approach adding to an already perfect production of hip-hop history?

EP: HHFT had a life beyond the four volumes, and it felt right to include as much of the extra stuff as possible. We’re trying to make the definitive edition of HHFT with this volume, and I’m happy to say we’ve succeeded.

Courtesy of Fantagraphics.

AIPT: I was lucky to snag a hard copy early, and I love how it came out. The shiny gold really pops. Were you involved in crafting the design, look, and feel of the omnibus?

EP: I give all the props to Justin Allan-Spencer for making the look and feel happen. I put my trust in my business partners on this one because I knew they’d do it justice. The book looked exactly the way I hoped it would.

AIPT: With a magnum opus like this under your belt, are there any other topics in music or other industries you’d want to tackle in a similar way?

EP: Nah. If anything, I’ll do more HHFT volumes in the future.

Courtesy Fantagraphics

AIPT: You’re clearly fascinated by people, and this work is largely character-driven. Looking back, was there any artist you wish you captured more of or a story that hit the cutting room floor?

EP: I tried to make HHFT as comprehensive as possible and to include everything I possibly could up to the final page. Now, there are lots of stories I’m excited to tell in the future volumes.

AIPT: You just wrapped up Red Room: Crypto Killaz! on September 13th, the final chapter in Red Room. Do you have a favorite issue in the series? Which one and why?

EP: Each new issue becomes my favorite, but I do think the third issue of Crypto Killaz with my Latchkey Kidz backup feature is worth supporting. These are characters I’m using on my current project, which will be a daily comic strip I’ll begin sharing on January 1, 2024.

Courtesy of Marvel Comics

AIPT: We here at AIPT loved X-Men: Grand Design. Any inkling to tackling another Big-Two character in a similar way?

EP: Nah.. I just did that as a way to introduce myself to comic book stores in a more direct way. The biggest audience for HHFT lied outside of the direct market, but I knew Red Room was on the horizon and I wanted to have something reliable that would hit comic shops beforehand. Since I actually make comics, and am not just a cog in the assembly line, it’s not a good use of my time to work on stuff owned by faceless corporations. I should be creating my own ideas and I think everyone who has supported my stuff to date.