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 Lisa Allison and Manga Editor Eric Cline’s attention this week.
Lisa’s Picks:
Blackwood #1
Art by Becky Cloonan
This cover instantly caught my eye. The deep purples, tilted head, and piercing red eyes tell me that something sinister is at hand. Crow wings encircle the figure, pulling you into the center of the cover and a potential dangerous spell. A terrific use of light to imbue magic as well.
Grass Kings #15
Art by Tyler Jenkins
A beautiful watercolor that evokes sadness with dark tones, stark trees and a watching owl. Leaving a world behind that by the name, leads me to believe this is a post-apocalyptic settlement. A place where people strive to hold on to their humanity. This cover is a story within itself.
Batwoman (Rebirth) Vol. 2
Art by Michael Cho
I am not normally drawn to the superhero universe but this cover really stood out. The contrasting red and black results in a striking image set against a white moon. Your eye is drawn to the white in the center and then works outward in a clockwise spiral to take in the cape, fire escape, rooftops and the whip furling in the air. Excellent sense of motion. Batwoman is descending with a purpose.
Eric’s Picks:
Doomsday Clock #5
Art by Gary Frank
Some of Doomsday Clock’s most striking covers come about when Gary Frank renders seemingly simple subject matter with fantastic detail. I love the dead-on straightforwardness of this cover; that X-ray image of a skull is staring right at the reader. There’s a sense of something amiss here, but the audience is still left unsure of what to expect. What an eerily intriguing piece!
Aquaman/Jabberjaw Special #1
Art by Joshua Middleton
Joshua Middleton’s Aquaman covers have been included in Judging by the Cover several times now, and with good reason–his attention to detail is beautiful. I never thought I’d get to his painterly style used on such silly subject matter, though–it’s Jabberjaw in an almost inverse of the Jaws poster layout! Middleton’s shading here is beautiful, as Jabberjaw looks three-dimensional while still retaining a cartoon feel. I love Orin’s expression as well; it says “What the hell is this?”
Descender #30
Art by Dustin Nguyen
I love covers that manage to incorporate a lot of characters without feeling too busy. Dustin Nguyen accomplishes that here–each member of the cast gets equal room, and none of them obscure the others. The geometric layout is very clean and pleasing to look at. Nguyen’s colors are always great, too.
Do you agree with these picks? Let us know in the comment space below!
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