Comic Book Cover-Up: Covers for the Week of July 2nd, 2014

Welcome to the twenty-first 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. Legendary Star-Lord 1 by David Marquez (Featured Image)

David Marquez makes Star-Lord look like a champ in his variant cover to the first issue of his new ongoing. Leaping through the air, Star-Lord is firing off his guns at the reader, shooting past them. It immediately hooks you in, as the diagonal lines bring your attention to the center of the image. Unlike many who use this technique without understanding that the physics of where the blasts come from, Marquez is clear and exact. The intensity that Star-Lord himself brings to this image is what makes it all work though. He leaps across the page, in the heat of battle, mouth yelling out. The playful tones of the sky behind him and his own outfit offset this to balance the page, making it truly pop and work as a cover.

4. Madame Frankenstein 3 by Megan Levens

I know next to nothing about Madame Frankenstein except that every month it intrigues me. Part of it is the design of the title character, which is simple and eerie, but much of it comes from the beautiful cover work of Megan Levens. Something about the way that Levens shapes her covers is chilling in it’s simplicity. The image looks so uncomfortable as it challenges the conventions of what is beautiful. The intricate attention to detail in the frame of the mirror and the draping fabric is classic. It looks as though this cover spans all of time and yet it evokes a strong connection to days gone by. Honestly, if there is any one thing that is going to sell me on this book, it’s the myriad of gorgeous covers. And isn’t that exactly what they’re for?

3. Legendary Star-Lord 1 by Ryan Stegman

I absolutely despise this costume. I think that it looks clunky, is too colorful, and is a giant step back in design. It honestly looks like a reject from the old Nascar Racers cartoon (Bonus points to anybody who actually knows/remembers what I’m talking about). And yet, Ryan Stegman makes it look incredible. Star-Lord has since abandoned this look, but my taking a step back, Stegman is able to show off how cool he can look even at his worst. The choice to have the red sun bursting with fire in the background helps to really balance the blues and yellow of the outfit. He looks incredibly triumphant, and yet you never lose the wonder of seeing him fly across the image. It’s one of those iconic images that showcases multiple facets of the character and highlights that this is a fresh launch for the character. It’s a rare feat to juggle so many things in a single image, but Stegman does it. Bravo.

2. Rocket Raccoon 1 by Skottie Young

Rocket Raccoon is blasting into his first ongoing series with the fine talents of Skottie Young in charge! Young is the perfect creator to usher in Rocket’s book, which is high on action and style. His pose on the cover is surprisingly heroic given the character, who is often less than nice and more than goofy. But that’s what makes it work so well. Rocket looks tough and triumphant, climbing up the body of his good buddy Groot. I think that is so much of what makes this work, is that Groot is a part of the landscape, showing that Rocket is still with the Guardians but is also stepping out into his own spotlight. Then tackle on the artistic ability of Young, who brings his A-game to this cover, and you’ve got the start of a very special run. It’s clear that Young is pouring every ounce of his energy into this book, which pays dividends.

1. Iron Fist: Living Weapon 4 by Kaare Andrews

There is not a single thing about this cover that I don’t love. Not only is it currently my background, but I’ve been showing it off for months, waiting for this moment. Kaare Andrews makes the choice to drain his image of all cover except for the red of the dragon on Danny’s chest and the yellow of his mask. These are the two most iconic elements of the Iron Fist design and they are given full showcase here. Beyond that, Andrews replicates one of the classic kung-fu moves, punching through cement blocks. Only instead of cement, they’re buildings. As if that wasn’t cool enough, his hands are ripping down to their bone as he punches through. This not only ties into the themes of the book within but also look eerie, adding a horror to the might of Iron Fist. It is iconic, memorable, and stands apart from everything else on the shelves. It was truly a no-contest this week.

Still Gorgeous:

• Angel and Faith Season Ten 4 by Chris Samnee
• Captain America 22 by Alex Ross
• Green Arrow 33 by Andrea Sorrentino
• Robocop 2014 1 by Goni Montes
• Superman Unchained 7 by Jock

Thanks for checking us out! To see the current standings as of last weeks books (Week of June 25th, 2014), click HERE!