Welcome to the twenty-seventh installment of Comic Book Cover-Up! Every week, We the Nerdy assistant editor Henry Varona weighs in on his choices for the best comic book covers coming out, along with some great honorable mentions worth checking out! Looking at the layout, artistic talent, and the overall craftsmanship, the covers are analyzed and ranked accordingly. At the end, each book will be given points based on their ranking. Then Henry adds up points for the various series, which will work towards earning further accolades in the future! Here’s a point breakdown for what every ranking will earn:
- First-10 Points
- Second-7 Points
- Third- 5 Points
- Fourth and Fifth- 3 Points Each
- Still Gorgeous- 1 Point Each
So without further ado, here’s the week’s best!
5. Ms. Marvel 7 by Jamie McKelvie (Featured Image)
Ms. Marvel 7 makes me a lot happier than it should. It is immediately adorable, with the lovable Ms. Marvel taking a selfie with Wolverine, but that’s not where the fun stops. McKelvie nails all of the details in making Kamala and Logan feel like they have distinct personalities, highlighting the joy of the former and grumpiness of the latter. They also remembered to color her phone gold, which is consistent with last issue’s cover. But even further, this cover is a little jab at DC, who are celebrating selfies all month long. With just a single cover, Marvel has produced an image that not only resonates properly with the hero, but also outshines nearly all of the competition. Ms. Marvel is a huge hit with the kids these days, and it’s because of work like this.
4. Supreme Blue Rose 2 by Tula Lotay
I’ll admit that I don’t know anything about Supreme Blue Rose. All I know is that the art from Tula Lotay looks to be stunning and it has me hooked on that alone. I’m impressed that she is able to so perfectly balance realism, layout, and design in this cover. Our central figure is stunning, looking like a femme fatale to end them all. She sits at the bar, drink in hand, carefully rendered in soft hues to highlight her femininity. The jagged linework of her dress make it distinct, and creates an overall image that seems like a watercolor painting. Looking past the reader, above them, our lead carries such weight on her shoulders that she is able to sell the book by just sitting there casually, something that is not an easy feat. Lotay is already a clear master of her craft and has talent comparable to Phil Noto, who similarly creates images that balance yesterday and today. I sincerely look forward to more.
3. The Fade Out 1 by Sean Phillips
First off, go and buy The Fade Out now. Then, once you hold it firmly in your hands, gaze upon this awesome cover. I know that it might not seem like much, but this cover is one of the coolest of the year, simultaneously establishing everything you need to know about the book while reaching across multiple marketing demographics. Phillips depicts a type-writer, splattered with blood. The blood is the only color of the image, hooking you in to notice the title. The trail of blood brings your eyes down the page, where you learn about the genre of the book and the setting. Type-writers immediately make most readers think of the 1940’s and 1950’s, and with the bloody keys you know there was a murder most foul. But honestly, what makes me love this cover is that it doesn’t have to be a comic. It could be a movie poster or a book cover. Heck, it could be an album. The image is just powerful, separate from the medium it is published through. It’s rare to find that in a cover.
2. Secret Avengers 7 by Tradd Moore
Where The Fade Out succeeds because of it’s cross-medium appeal and minimalist approach, Secret Avengers does the exact opposite. This is a comic, and a goofy one at that. Deadpool, one of comic’s hottest characters, guest stars in the book and stands atop a legion of A.I.M. Agents (Literally). Hawkeye desperately fires towards the Merc with a Mouth, being attacked by the same A.I.M. Agents who help keep Deadpool elevated. It’s kooky and unique to comics, and as a big fan of A.I.M., I really appreciate the rare instances where we get to see them in a full battalion. Most impressive though, is Moore’s attention to detail (As it always is with him). Every A.I.M. Agent is individually rendered, with distinct patterns and folds on their outfits. That level of commitment is uncommon these days. Plus, he draws a great Deadpool, and seeing this image made me want him on a Deadpool book in ways I never have before.
1. All-New Ghost Rider 6 by Tradd Moore
Leave it to Tradd Moore to give us two incredible covers in one week. While I have generally found his work on Secret Avengers to be his best covers, All-New Ghost Rider 6 blew me away. It is a cover that speaks to the sensibilities of Moore as an artist as well as Ghost Rider as a series. Coming off of his momentous victory over Mr. Hyde, Ghost Rider has become a hero for the people of his city, and they have taken to honoring him through murals and street art. As a lifelong fan of street art and frequent witness, it makes me really happy to see it depicted in a positive light here. The people are rallying behind Ghost Rider and see him as something worth honoring, which helps to further showcase the importance of his character. Moore brings his incredible attention to detail as an artist to this piece, making the citizens and the art distinct, while showing that the Rider is there in spirit, by putting his car on the page. This is the type of creative layout that helps to make this one of the best new books on the stands, and I for one hope that more people try it out because of this art.
Still Gorgeous:
- Batman and Robin 34 (Selfie Variant) by Phil Noto
- The Delinquents 1 by Paolo Rivera
- The Fade Out 1 (Magazine Variant) by Sean Phillips
- Peter Panzerfaust 20 by Tyler Jenkins
- Teen Titans 2 (Selfie Variant) by Ben Caldwell
Thanks for checking us out! Be sure to check out past installments HERE!
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