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Judging by the Cover - 12/5/18 new releases

Comic Books

Judging by the Cover – 12/5/18 new releases

Eric and Trevor share their favorite covers from this week’s new comic book releases.

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.

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Eric’s Picks:

Martian Manhunter #1
Cover art by Joshua Middleton

Judging by the Cover - 12/5/18 new releases

Image credit: DC Comics

Both Martian Manhunter #1 covers are great, but I had to go with this one. The colors are fantastic, as is J’onn’s puzzled expression. I dig this alteration on his classic costume as well: shorts instead of briefs, and elongated sleeves instead of the usual cape. The whole thing has a quirky feel to it that’s fitting of the JLA’s most underrated founding member.

Snotgirl #12
Cover art by Leslie Hung

Judging by the Cover - 12/5/18 new releases

Image credit: Image Comics

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a Leslie Hung Snotgirl cover that I didn’t like. The juxtoposition of Lottie’s beauty goals and model poses against her unfortunate allergies is always striking, This cover is gross but attention-grabbing, and the colors are great as well. Plus, the visor is a cool and unexpected fashion choice.

Uncanny X-Men #4
Cover art by Elizabeth Torque

Judging by the Cover - 12/5/18 new releases

Image credit: Marvel Comics

This cover certainly had an impact back when it was first revealed. X-Man is back! The other characters’ expressions of bewilderment are fantastic. We don’t get to see characters reacting to shocking twists on covers as often as we used to, so this is a nice change of pace. A cover reflecting an issue’s contents? That almost feels like a novel idea nowadays. Of course, the composition and quality of the line-work here are also great.

Trevor’s Picks:

DIE #1
Cover art by Stephanie Hans

Judging by the Cover - 12/5/18 new releases

Image credit: Image Comics

I fell in love with Stephanie Hans’ work when she did the interiors for Batwoman #5 last year and her painterly style and rich color work added her to my list of artists where if I see their name, I’m preordering the book. I love the red on black on this cover as well as the sense of motion in the hair and energy coming off the character’s body. The garment is also right up my alley, looking very witchy and chic.

Shatterstar #3
Cover art by Yasmine Putri

Judging by the Cover - 12/5/18 new releases

Image credit: Marvel Comics

“Painterly” seems to be the name of the game for my picks this week. As someone who’s very new to the character, I don’t know who any of these goons ‘Star is fighting are, but Putri’s renderings make me immediately curious to know what their deal is. From the sickly green fire around the skeleton person to the shiny flesh on the BDSM gargoyle, I love all the textures on display here. The snarl on ‘Star’s canine neighbor’s face adds a shot of comedy to the mix that makes this cover really sing.

Blackbird #3
Cover art by Loish

Judging by the Cover - 12/5/18 new releases

Image credit: Image Comics

I’ve been reading Sailor Moon lately, so you know I’m here for a lavishly drawn magical girl! The jellyfish-like film of magic coming off her bracelet paired with the gorgeous blues in her hair has me shook. Setting the character against the gentle oranges and yellows accentuates all the colors greatly. I love that Loish chose to slightly cover her visible eye with a strand of hair, adding a hint of mystery that’s pitch-perfect for the series. The individual strands here are also rendered with the same floaty feeling as the energy from her bracelet, giving the whole cover a mystical feeling that I love.

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