PUMA PowerCat Graphic Series
PUMA are renown for tipping the crazy scales every now and again and after the recent 'Dia del Futbol' release it got us thinking back to PUMA's back catalogue of Graphic PowerCat designs. A quick rummage around the SB archives resulted in us plucking out the eccentric designs. So here they all are together in one impressively mental collection...
The PowerCat Graphic story began in July 2010 when PUMA launched a metallic silver version of the PowerCat 1.10. The boot featured black swirls on the instep and out step of the silver upper and to be honest, in comparison to what was to come, the debut Graphic was actually quite tame. Still, the first graphic got the madness ball rolling.
The second chapter of the PUMA PowerCat Graphic is where the collection really made it's name. The brand unleashed the Tokyo Graphic 1.10, one of the most outrageous and memorable boot releases of all time, the Tokyo was like nothing else. Released in February 2011 the boot is still talked about and kick-started the whole Graphic range.
Inspired by the dazzling lights, vibrancy and highly visual culture of the neon jungles of Japan, the Tokyo encapsulated the energy of one of the world's most dynamic cities. PUMA created a boot that looked like it was taken straight out of a Japanese cartoon.
The Tokyo was always going to be a hard act to follow and in June 2011 PUMA returned to their Graphic PowerCat series to land a new Elektro paint job. Another intense design which featured circuit board electrical detailing with a mixture of circular patterns that created a bizarrely effective look. PUMA had certainly given their designers a license to experiment, either that or they were trippin', but the designs kept coming and the brand were starting to build a unique collection.
With a hat-trick of Graphic PowerCats in the locker PUMA's next project came a year later. The Graphic Gravity landed on the 1.12 generation Cat in July 2012. Why the Gravity theme? Why not? PUMA were making their own rules, they were designing whatever they thought looked cool, each boot was treated as a blank canvas, which any designer will tell you is a pretty exciting opportunity.
After the madness of Cesc Fabregas jumping on board has settled the designers at PUMA started to get busy again in December 2012. A signature PowerCat 1.12 was created for the Barca man and PUMA had slapped a crazy bird graphic on the side of the boot, for reasons we're still not overly sure on. Fabregas wore the boot at the turn of the year scoring in the Copa del Rey el clasico semi final first leg at the Bernabeu.
Exactly three years on from the first PowerCat Graphic boot PUMA revealed their latest addition to the series, the Dia del Futbol PowerCat. When PUMA release special editions they don't do half measures, the PowerCat 1.12 don a schizophrenic personality with their odds boots, one white, one black. Another wild work of art with the skull and skeletal designs inspire by the Mexican 'Day of the Dead' Holiday.
We've got no idea what's in the water at PUMA HQ but we're hoping they keep drinking it. The PowerCat Graphic ranges is one of the most unique collections in footballing boot history and we say keep the craziness coming. Got a favourite? Shout it out...
What do you think of the PUMA PowerCat Graphic collection? The latest addition is available to order at selected online retailers including Pro-Direct Soccer.Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
