Beauty and Thug

When the mailman brings my bi-monthly copy of Complex, there's an overwhelming urge to run outside, climb a tree and post a "NO GIRLS ALLOWED!" sign. The editors have developed a slick and stylish publication that is so fun to read ... you almost feel like a kid opening the pages and discovering the freebies and 'stuff' inside.

This month: a booklet and poster from Adidas to celebrate their 35th anniversary; interactive DVD featuring sexy (female) models to promote Axe deodorant; Nike trading cards; "secret decoder" cards, decals and stickers for Scion cars; and art deco-inspired pop up advertising for other brands. With articles on vintage Detroit musclecars and how to get the most from stripperz, there's no doubt this is a magazine for the grown and sexy.

Back in February we talked about the mag's clever layout: there are two covers, the actor du jour and femme fatale. Midway through the issue, you have to flip it to start over on the opposite side. A side, B side, reminds us dinosaurs of playing a 45. This month the covers are hot-ta-def Zoe Saldana and Vince Vaughn.

Most of the fashion layouts are subtle yet sexy. Complex is nowhere near as gay-friendly as Details or Cargo, but the men ... ahh, the men are men. Not many pretty boyz up in here. Take a look at the Chop Shop layout, page 50 on the Zoe side. Derrick Santini lenses the six-page layout, shot near the BQE in Bushwick, Brooklyn. There's plenty of J-train thug luv here, including not one but two models sporting neck tattoos. Don't ask me why those are so appealing; maybe it's because my ex had one, maybe it's because my tastes are often edgier. Donald Lawrence's styling is on the money. Most of the shoots find the models very boyish and regular, but the final two shoots improvise a Fight Club-type motiff and a Yakuza-slash-Kill Bill Vol 1-slash 5, 6, 7, 8 theme. The sight of the boys clad head to toe in black with baseball bats and ski masks is more than erotic ... it's junior prom designed by Tom Finland. Tickets please!

Comments

[ClayStarr]

I too have a thing for neck art. yum!

[Ryan]

agreed ron..i love complex too (and zoe saldana IS a hottie! :))

but you are dead on in you rpost..the photography is very damn good and edgy suprisingly given that complex doesnt always give strong editorial pause...

*sigh* i miss new york city and thugs with neck tattoos....

you had an ex with neck art too? :)

[grayse]

Maaayne neck tattoos make my draws wet for real... whew lawd *fans self* TMI?

I have never heard of this magazine *hangs head in shame*... but I think I may have to check it out for real.

[gillygan]

neck tatts are HOT! I have tatts all over, but can't do the neck. My conservative work place would go ape nuts. lol.

[boogie tonight]

Hey you don't read Ecko Complex for the articles, I go direct to the buyers guide. Wherelse can I get my sneaker, toys, gear, etc game up? One of the models you guys are drooling over is a really good friend of mine. He's mad cool.

In other ECKO news... The Mark Ecko Cut and Sew Collection is sweet. I have copped a few pieces from the spring/summer/fall lines.

[Jimmy]

I have to admit that I have a "thing" for certain "well done" (purely subjective) neck tattoos too.

[Rashid]

For some reason, I get Complex for free. I don't have time to read it or my other subscriptions, but after about a year, it FINALLY grew on me. I didn't like it at first, probably because it is so heterocentric, but like you, I now appreciate its edginess.

Yeah...I get it for free. I called them a year ago to ask to stop mailing them to me, and they said they'd do so, but they didn't! I am assuming I get them for the same reason I get Black Enterprise for free -- an added bonus to one of my fraternal affiliations.

[FRANK LEON ROBERTS]

If there is anything that get Leon in the bed---in any position, lol---it's a got-dam NECK TATOO. I think these things are just the sexiest thing who knows what. And if the brotha has a tiny, diamond nose ring, too? LAWD GEEEESUS

[Dexter]

One of my friend's friends has one of those neck tattoos; it's placed on the back of his neck. But, he's not appealing to me.

Those guys are hot. I like the car, too.