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Sufjan Stevens shares cover art for a 10th Anniversary edition of “Illinois”

It has been a decade since Sufjan Stevens released his most defining concept album, Illinois as part of his (since confirmed to be a joke) plan to write one album for each 50 US states. While the project may not have been real, the album was very much so, and remains one of, if not his greatest achievement to date.

It’s just been announced that in celebration of the album’s anniversary, Steven’s label Asthmatic Kitty is preparing a limited edition vinyl reissue to come out in April of next year, just after Steven’s visit to Australia. 10,000 copies of the album – which is being dubbed the Blue Marvel edition- are being prepared for the release. Pressed in two colours, Antimatter Blue and Cape White, the reissues come with some pretty cheeky artwork.

When Illinois was originally released in 2005, Superman made what turned out to be an unauthorised appearance on the cover. However, he was removed from subsequent pressings due to copyright infringement matters with DC comics.

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This new edition of the album features Marvel character Blue Marvel in place of Superman in what is a pretty epic troll of DC on Marvel’s part. The character was introduced by Marvel in 2008 and his appearance on the album’s reissue comes courtesy by Divya Srinivasan, who created the artworks for the original edition Illinois in 2005. This time, the Chicago-born Marvel superhero is 100 per cent, undoubtedly authorised by Marvel to appear on the cover.

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The reissue isn’t out till April 1st 2016, but preorders are open via the Asthmatic Kitty Records website.

Sufjan Stevens’ Australia 2016 tour dates:

Monday 22 February
State Theatre – Sydney, NSW
Tickets available via www.ticketmaster.com.au or HERE

Friday 26 February
Hamer Hall – Melbourne, VIC
Tickets available via www.artscentremelbourne.com.au or HERE

Wednesday 2 March
Red Hill Auditorium – Perth, WA
Tickets available via www.oztix.com.au or HERE

Friday 4 March
QPAC Concert Hall – Brisbane, QLD
Tickets available via www.qpac.com.au or HERE