Welcome to the twenty-third 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. Daredevil 6 by Chris Samnee (Featured image)
For the last few years, Chris Samnee has re-imagined Daredevil as his own. Gone are the dark images of him brooding in churches, rain smacking him in the face. Instead, Daredevil has been a happier fellow, basking in creative cover design. Lately, Samnee has begun to reveal this former Daredevil. Here he brings back the Catholic imagery that has been used with the character before, showcasing him in the arms of his mother, the woman who would become Sister Maggie. It’s filled with emotional weight, as we immediately understand that this young infant is Matt Murdoch and that his ties with the church go back to his youth. Sister Maggie breaking out from the other nuns is equally powerful. It would have been easy for Samnee to make these women into templates but instead they each carry their own individual flair. And seeing young Matt there, with all of these women praying for him and Sister Maggie makes you take a step back.
4. Batman Eternal 16 by Dustin Nguyen
Dustin Nguyen has been drawing Batman since I first started reading the character many, many years ago. Back then he wowed me with his portrayal of the Scarebeast (Don’t ask), but now he just flat out floors me with his work. For his latest cover to Batman Eternal, Nguyen plays with the familiar framing device of Arkham Asylum’s front gate. Batman’s cape seamlessly transitions into a flock of bats, overcoming the page. There is a power and a weight to Batman, torn between his city and these demons he must battle. It isn’t anything too crazy that we haven’t seen before, but Nguyen does it so well that it really draws you in. I particularly love the way that he draws Gotham itself, basking in shadows with only glimmers of light showing through the windows. It’s the kind of imagery you expect for the city and it just feels right. Sometimes you don’t have to break the mold in order to shock and awe.
3. Batman 33 (Batman 75th Anniversary) by Paolo Rivera
First off, I have to point out how bizarre it is to see Paolo Rivera doing a Batman cover. As one of Marvel’s best cover artists, it’s so cool to see him take on a DC Icon like Batman. In his cover to Batman 33, he honors both the history of Batman and the story inside. To me, Riddler is one of the greatest innovators of the deathtrap. He always has some bizarre contraption primed to go, whether it be the Minotaur maze in Batman: The Animated Series or his series of riddles in this very comic. As such, the idea of Batman surrounded on all sides by seeming doom is great. Beyond that, the wear and tear on Batman, coupled with the bewildered look on his face, helps to show a different side to the Caped Crusader. What better way to honor the 75 years the character has given us than by showing a Batman who is in the thick of things. I am biased. I like Batman best when he’s forced to push himself. And though it may be simple, Rivera shows us a Batman who isn’t necessarily going to win. And that stands out.
2. Wolverine and the X-Men 6 (Guardians of the Galaxy Variant) by Mike Del Mundo
I don’t think Mike Del Mundo gets enough credit from the comic book community, including myself. Every month he gives us a wonderful product in one way, shape, or form. This month, it’s this super endearing cover to Wolverine and the X-Men that showcases Rocket Raccoon and Groot, one of comic’s great friendships. One of the greatest things about these two is that Rocket is always there to pick up his buddy Groot and nurse him back to health. Here, Del Mundo plays with this idea by having Groot as an actual plant in a pot. The joke is spot on and wonderfully executed, showing off the innocence of Groot while showing the wonder of what he is. It’s so cool to see that at least one of the Guardians of the Galaxy covers delivered this month. And boy, did it.
1. Secret Origins 4 by Lee Bermejo
Secret Origins gives me everything I want in a comic book cover. Month after month, Lee Bermejo gives us highly detailed paintings of classic DC characters that treat them as the icons they are. Reflecting everything that impacted the character’s development, Bermejo really hits the nail on the head. Harley Quinn looks both adorable and deadly here, embodying the character. Her pose shows shows her personality very well, but it’s really the background that makes this such a highlight. The Joker is in her shadow, in her past, alongside Arkham Asylum. This fits the trends of this series so far but it also showcases that the Joker is in her past, Arkham is in her past, and now she doesn’t care. She is her own woman, her own character (Who currently outsells almost all of DC). It’s great to see Harley standing tall and triumphant. She’s earned it.
Still Gorgeous:
- Life with Archie 36 by Fiona Staples
- Storm 1 by Victor Ibanez
- Super Secret Crisis War Johnny Bravo 1 by Van Partible
- Supreme Blue Rose 1 by Tula Lotay
- Wonder Woman 33 by Cliff Chiang
Thanks for checking us out! Be sure to check out past winners of Comic Book Cover-Up HERE!
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