Connect with us
Judging by the Cover - 11/14/18 new releases

Comic Books

Judging by the Cover – 11/14/18 new releases

Eric and Trevor share their favorite covers from the week’s new comics.

Most comic book fans have a pretty good idea what they’re going to buy every week when they visit their local comic shop. With that said, there’s still a lot of fun to be had just glancing at the week’s new releases and taking a chance on a book that looks promising. That’s where covers come in. A fantastic image can make the difference between trying something new or saying, “Nah, not this week.”

In that spirit, here are the covers that captured contributor Trevor Richardson and Manga Editor Eric Cline’s attention this week.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

Eric’s Picks:

Uncanny X-Men #1
Cover art by Jeff Dekal

Judging by the Cover - 11/14/18 new releases

Uncanny X-Men #1 has a million different covers, but this one is my favorite. Dekal manages to incorporate ten (ten!) characters into a single image while keeping the overall look streamlined instead of crowded, and they’re all attention-grabbing. Nightcrawler’s ominous expression is a highlight, as are Jean’s eyes gazing right at the reader. The composition is also very strong in the way that each character leads the eye along. You have Bishop looking up, the curve of X-23’s arm leading one’s gaze toward Jean who is in turn within Storm’s cape, and at the top there’s Cannonball blasting right into the logo. Cool stuff all around.

Catwoman #5
Cover art by Joëlle Jones

Judging by the Cover - 11/14/18 new releases

I dig the action and the colors here. The way the shattered glass splays out conveys breakage and danger but there’s still a sense of elegance, matched well by Selina’s pose as she leaps in midair. The pink background also pops well against the black and light blue of the foreground.

William Gibson’s Alien 3 #1
Cover art by Johnnie Christmas

Judging by the Cover - 11/14/18 new releases

You know an artist is good when they can convey so much with such a simple, static image. We all know what’s reaching up out of that egg, but the fact that we can’t see it in its entirety still adds to the sense of horror. It’s like that moment where you know there’s something terrifying behind you but you have yet to actually turn around and see it. The choice not to include any sort of scenery in the background also works. It prevents the reader’s eye from latching onto anything except that promised moment of terror at the cover’s center. The fade from blue to black is lovely to boot.

Trevor’s Picks:

William Gibson’s Alien 3 #1
Cover art by Johnnie Christmas

Judging by the Cover - 11/14/18 new releases

This cover is so effective because it pulls focus to one of the most dreadful sights in the Alien franchise, second only to a fully grown Xenomorph. It evokes the original cover art from the first Alien film while giving the viewer a big “Uh-oh” feeling at the sight of those Facehugger legs creeping out of the fleshy egg. Christmas adds a lot of little lines to convey texture and give the egg an extra icky feeling. A cover that does a lot with very little.

Mister Miracle #12
Cover art by Mitch Gerads

Judging by the Cover - 11/14/18 new releases

Continuing the less-is-more theme of my picks, Mitch Gerads brings in a Looney Tunes reference alongside the series’ recurring “Darkseid is” panel. Evoking Daffy Duck in the same space as the series’ signal for shit about to go down is very on-brand for a series that blends humor and dread. The cover is also on brand for writer Tom King who earned a ton of praise for his Batman/Elmer Fudd one-shot. A fitting cover for the end of an affecting series.

Uncanny X-Men #1
Cover art by Jen Bartel

Judging by the Cover - 11/14/18 new releases

Jen Bartel expressed a lot of my feelings best with her tweet revealing the cover. No shade at the other variant artists for Uncanny #1, but I love Bartel not only doing a cover that isn’t the same line-up as Cover A, but that celebrates some of the women of X-Men looking ready to mess someone up. I especially love how Ororo’s lighting is rendered here, with the little flecks of light blue for the sparks. This is the variant I’m hoping to grab when the issue comes out!

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1 I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1

‘I Heart Skull-Crusher!’ #1 review: Apocalyptic squad goals

Comic Books

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Comic Books

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024 Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Comic Books

DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

DC reveals ‘DC: Pride’ and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup