In a sign of the increasing penetration of comics into all forms of popular culture, DKNY Jeans has announced a new line of apparel co-designed by comic artist Paul Pope. The new 15-piece line, called 2089, will feature Pope images on tees, jackets, hoodies, and pants. The name of the line comes from the setting for the images,
Pope said of the line, "I see this line as a way of stealing pop back from Warhol. We've seen comics endlessly pillaged in the high art world and adapted to film.... Comics has a cultural currency all its own. But this is maybe the first time an actual cartoonist has been given the chance to launch his own brand, to build it from concept on up, to do it within the bounds of an established label such as DKNY jeans."
Pope's Batman Year 100 won the Eisner for Best Limited Series last year (see "DC Dominates Eisners" ). First Second has signed Pope for two projects, Total THB and Battling Boy (see "First Second Releasing 'Total THB'").
The new clothing line will launch in September.
