Cataclysm

Cataclysm from Venus Fallen

This is what happens when you take the style of a B grade movie poster and ramp the silly factor right up. It's brilliant in a nerdy, retro way. You may think it is stupid and it is fine if you do. You are entitled to your opinion. Before you write this tee off I want you to ponder something for me though. Is the idea of Killer Cats From Outer Space any more ridiculous than Killer Tomatoes?

Rats In A Cage

Rats In A Cage from Society Of The Spectacle

According to the website this tee expresses how countless exploited third world laborers must feel, trapped in an ominous cycle of economic oppression. The problem is I think it has failed in that respect. Even knowing the title (part of a Smashing Pumpkins song that I know well) I never would of guessed that. The graphics just don't convey that meaning. That said, I really do like this tee. The little rodents have been given a lot of character. I especially like the fact that one of them is holding an old style lantern, reinforcing the idea that they are in a tunnel. I find myself wondering if they know they are actually in a snake or are clueless to the fact. There are just so many stories you could make from this graphic. I love tees that ignite the imagination like that.

Raptor

Kids Raptor Hooded Shirt from Amazon

Normally I wouldn't feature a childrens tee but this is one of the coolest ideas that I have seen in ages. I seriously want one in adult size.

Owl Samurai

Owl Samurai by ghozai

At first glance this seems to be just another owl in front of a full moon tee. It is not until a close inspection that you realise that he is wearing martial arts style clothing. That then leads you to notice the samurai topknot style hair do. I really like the fact that it is so subtle. No swords or other weapons, text or any obvious giveaway. The single color linework reinforces the idea. Only the astute will ever get the joke.

Liberty In Death

Liberty In Death from Sacred Stitches

I really like this tattoo style design even though I really have no idea what it represents. There is obviously a story behind the three different swords in the fox head. I like to imagine that it pertains to some European myth but I could be way off the mark. The reason I think that is the jewellery. The locket, that contains an eye, is positioned on the forehead as if representing the mystical third eye. Maybe the fox is a thief who stole, or tried to steal the jewellery and was killed by the heroes for his trouble. Who knows.

Nevermore

Nevermore from Zombie Liquorice

Time to add another tee to the denial files. I can't believe it has ben about a year since the amazing Zombie Liquorice closed its doors. Sadly missed.

Poetik Mechanik

Poetik Mechanik from Uneetee

At what point would an artificial intelligence be considered alive? This is something that has been discussed in science fiction for decades yet we don't really have an answer. Machines that can think for themselves still aren't alive in the traditional sense. What happens when we build a something that can not only learn but experience emotions as well?

Super Embarrassment

Super Embarrassment by Kerry Callen

This is one of the funniest super hero tees I have ever seen. I literally laughed out loud. The reason it works so well is that it could really happen. We all make mistakes and I'm sure the man of steel is no different. The illustration itself is so good that at first you don't actually get the joke. You have to read the speech bubbles and take a second look at the artwork for it to sink in. The subtle texturing to age it around the edges finishes it beautifully. I never thought that I would come across a Superman tee that I would actually wear but I really want this.

The House that Romero Built

The House that Romero Built from Mediocore

Amazing artwork on this George Romero tribute tee.

Apsara

Apsara from Overseize

I am absolutely in love with this rendition of Apsara, the Hindu spirit of clouds and water. For starters the artwork is just magically detailed. I want to see one up close to study all the small details. There is a perfect balance between traditional elements and a modern style which gives it a uniqueness rarely seen on tees. The thing I like most though is how serene she looks. That is something we should all aspire to in our hectic modern lives.

Shark With Knives For Teeth

Shark With Knives For Teeth from Neva Safe

How do you make one of natures best killers even more threatening? You replace its teeth with knives, that's how. I like to imagine a James Bond style super villain doing this to protect his underwater lab. If you thought Jaws was scary now you have a real reason to wet your pants. I really like this tee as it is so different but sadly there is only one left and it is not in my size. Oh well, keep dreaming and add it to the denial files.

Jewels

Jewels from Electric Zombie

I had such a crush on Julie from Return of the Living Dead 3 as a teenager, so it was really cool to come across a tee featuring her and wow, what a tee. The artwork is superb, so lifelike as to be almost a photo. I am in love all over again. She truly is breaking hearts and piercing body parts.

Create Your Own Tees With Bleach

Unlike most vids that claim to be easy yet obviously take hours of work this one really is quick, cheap and easy. The only hard part is getting your stencils. I highly recommend that you check it out on youtube before trying it at home though as there are some technical details that you need to know before jumping in. You can read them under the vid.

For those more artistically minded have a look at the second vid. Although both use bleach that is where the similarity stops. This is a work in progress as the artist builds up shades with a brush. It is truly amazing.

That should give you all a few ideas to create your own one of a kind tees so get out there and get to it. I expect you all to be rocking them this weekend.

Crescent Moon

Crescent Moon by Jemini

I love discovering tshirts that go beyond the standard cliche. This man in the moon is a much more interesting character than usual. Here he resembles more of a street tough. The surface craters have become skin pockmarks, a feather hangs from his pierced ear and smoke drifts around his head from the cigarette between his lips. The alcohol bottles tied to his bottom tip by a rag rope gives a down on his luck sense to the story. It is a really well drawn illustration with lots of detail. I really like how the smoke doubles as clouds and balances the whole artwork.

Killing Time

Killing Time from Orcus

I have to admit that I haven't come across too many comics on tees. Weirdly the few that I have seen have all been colored. The stark black and white simplicity of this one really appeals to me in a way the others didn't. I think it may have connected to my inner child that still remembers reading comics, the unique smell of cheap paper and ink permeating the air.

Poseidon

Poseidon from Seventh Ink

I have to apologise. I thought that I had posted this tee ages ago yet I just realised that I hadn't. Unfortunately it is nearly sold out now with just a few left in mens large size. Therefore I am adding this one to the denial files.

Timebomb

Timebomb from Remuse

Like yesterdays tee this one has a unique way of getting its message across. The round bomb on closer inspection becomes a planet covered with the ugliness of our modern existence, with just a dead tree pointing its bare branches out of the chaos. Earth becomes a ticking time bomb as we abuse it for our consumer greed.

Vanishing Panda

Vanishing Panda from Engram

I find it amazing how the addition of a few splats and drips can drastically change the mood of an art piece. Here the usually cute panda has been transformed into a sad, dying animal. Although it is a simple design it conveys its message about an endangered species beautifully. You can order this on any color tee and it also available as a mens shirt.

Destroy

Destroy by barmalizer

My first thought upon seeing this tee was that it looked like a promotion for a new Zack Snyder film. I love the character in his leather and mask giving him a real sinister appearance, heightened by the red moon in the background. The multi barreled gun spewing flame just jumps out at you adding amazing depth and action. For me the most striking thing is the shattered glass. It looks amazing and adds so much to the story. 

Mad Chop Barbershop

Mad Chop Barbershop from Straw Castle

I love old style barbershops. I actually drive past two of those poncy hairdresser places to get my hair cut in one. It is a real blokey place complete with manly pictures of cars and motorbikes hanging on the walls. Behind the counter is an old movie poster of "A Rebel Without A Cause" featuring James Dean at his smouldering best. Magazines about woodworking, tools, sports, babes and vintage cars sit on the table in the waiting area. There is even a calender with topless women in the corner. You sit back and listen to rock n roll while you get your hair cut, a straight razor shave and a hot towel to finish. It is my kind of place.

Battle Of The Depths

Battle Of The Depths from Horizon Clothing

It is the ultimate battle of the deep. Giant octopus verses a killer shark. Who will win in this fight of the ocean monsters?

Love Yourself

Love Yourself by Lim Heng Swee

This is minimalism done to a level that I can only describe as perfection. The image is simple and instantly recognizable yet manages to convey a fairly complex message. As the image is composed nearly entirely by a single line your eyes are guaranteed to wander around it, meaning everyone will see the "Love Yourself" text. What I really like about it is how the bear is giving itself a nice big furry hug. We all love bear hugs. It just brings a smile to your face.

Joshua

Joshua from Dr. Popcorn

As a poker player I am always interested in cool card themed tees. Unfortunately they are few and far between. With the sudden, massive popularity boost of poker a few years back it seemed every man and his dog was trying to cash in on it. The problem was most were just plain terrible. Poker terminology and cheap clipart abounded. The sort of crud no poker player would ever actually wear but end up with anyway via gifts from well meaning family and friends. I would wear this shirt. A skull with mohawk and beard, some sort of animal skulls either side, (rats?) and fine swirls and smoke joining the lot together to make the overall spade shape.

Cassette Tape

Cassette Tape by styleuniversal

Pure retro awesomeness. The perfect tee for original music pirates who taped all the hits off the radio.

P Sherman 42 Wallaby Way

P Sherman 42 Wallaby Way from Infected Thread

The dopey fish that remembered an address for Nemo's dad has been zombiefied. It seems Dory has a dark side. A real ugly dark side.

Record Breaker

Record Breaker by jun087

Originally I thought this was a fairly simple design, but the more I look at it the more I see. The guy breaking the record is obvious and is a nice pun in itself. The fact that the guy is dressed as a martial artist adds another level as it has echos of someone beating a metal gong to signify the start or finish of a fight. The cracks themselves look like lightning bolts, so the record could be the night sky. The other possibility is that the bolts are coming from the center, much in the vein of Dragonball and similar things. It is a very intriguing design.

Smokin' Eagle

Smokin' Eagle from Rockett

The whole American flag and eagle thing has been done to death so many times that it is really surprising to see a fresh take on it. The artwork is like a cartoony tattoo and really jumps out at you on first glance. The whole thing takes on a different aspect on closer inspection. The eagle is holding a smoking joint, has a stoned expression while the smoke coming from his mouth spells the brand name. 

Urban Rescue

Urban Rescue from Rak Wear

I just came across this site called Rak Wear that do tees based on our urban heros like firefighters, policemen, search and rescue and medical specialists. While that in itself is not unusual it is the design itself that is. Rather than clipart stars and typography these shirts feature watercolor and ink style artwork that tells a story. Each one is just stunning.

Predator

Predator from Mister Black Tee

One of the greatest alien villains of all time, check. Massive print, check. Cool cartoon style that you can wear anytime without having to worry about offending oldies or scaring children, check. What's not to love.

Pandas Make Rainbows Bleed

Pandas Make Rainbows Bleed by colinlepper

I am really loving this tee as it seems to explain why pandas are black and white. I like to think that the dragon was bringing color to all the animals but the pandas rebelled. Turning vicious they attacked the dragon, splattering his colorful blood everywhere. Perhaps this is why the dragons are now extinct.