Every couple of years Sharpie introduces five new colors. If you collect, you have a short time to get them because they will be replaced with something else down the road. The last batch, called 80s Glam, gave us Argyle Green, Valley Girl Violet, Banana Clip Yellow, Jellie Pink, and Leg Warmer Orange. 

I know fashion just goes around and around the May pole, harkening back to other decades of fashion and adding unusual touches to "Update" them, so I wasn't surprised when I thought of the 50s when I saw the word Argyle, as well as the Banana Clip reference. Leg warmers have been around for a long while, but what the heck? We've mixed and matched and copied throughout fashion history. 

We've also done the tropics to pieces. The colors are wonderful, and I was excited when I saw colors that would lend themselves to portraits. Flesh tones are hard to find except in the more expensive art products. I hoped Sharpie would catch up and stay there. Alas, the tones needed, like almond and surf, have all but disappeared. 

The latest group has a nice sci-fi feel. If I were blessed with the talent to do animation, I would cheerfully add these to my drawing tools. The Optic Orange has a more deep and condensed appearance. The Techno and Nano blues are also full toned--rich in pigment and--they like each other when next to each other on the page! Same with the Electric Pink and Ultra Violet--a little deeper than previous releases and friendly to the eye. Even the orange isn't offended by the pink and purple. They aren't pastel or pale at all. They aren't deep dark like the Cafe Coulers released a few years back. If colors could have character, these would be jumping to the newest beat, telling you stories you'd love (even if you didn't believe a word), and wearing the latest look with no problem. 

Only one problem. The pictures of each individual color aren't even available yet. So a picture of one of their plastic containers is all you can have for now. 

They are smiling at you from front row center.