Comic Book Cover-Up: Covers for the Week of October 22nd, 2014

Welcome to the thirty-sixth installment of Comic Book Cover-Up! After a brief hiatus, 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. Axis: Hobgoblin 1 by Javier Rodriguez (Featured Image)

Sometimes it’s the simplest of images that can grab your attention. With his bold orange attire, the Hobgoblin is one of the most distinct Spider-Man villains. His recent involvement in Superior Spider-Man was enough to warrant him his own mini-series during Axis, which focuses on his criminal merchandising empire. But none of that matters here. What makes this cover so cool is that you don’t need to know anything about the Hobgoblin or his enterprise. Just his unsettling smile as he stares into the hearts of readers with his crimson eyes is enough to entice you. He almost looks innocent, as if he just wants to be friends, but his crusty skin makes it clear that something more lurks beneath his facade. Javier Rodriguez immediately makes this book fun, fearsome, and enticing. A great way to handle a peripheral event tie-in.

4. Secret Origins 6 by Lee Bermejo

Wonder Woman is an icon of comics, without a doubt. Her image is used for some of the best representations of Americana and women’s rights. It is less common that you see a truly great representation of her Greek heritage, something that Lee Bermejo is very happy to provide, while also showing her place in the United States. With a very distinct style, he casts the image of Diana leaping into battle, letting off a fierce battle cry. Adorned in the flag of the United States, Diana stands in front of the image of her mother, but also the U.S. Capitol Building, with the image of Mount Olympus in the background. All of these images blend effortlessly into one another, no doubt due to their natural architecture, but also the careful attention that Bermejo provides. Diana herself looks deadly without sacrificing her femininity, which I have always found to be key when representing the hero. Top notch.

3. Harley Quinn 11 by Amanda Conner

For the last year, Harley Quinn has been one of the biggest books on DC’s plate. With a great following and a character that allows them to break the mold of their standard books, Harley Quinn has worked wonders for the company. Similarly, the covers of Harley Quinn have been endlessly entertaining. This month, to celebrate her team-up with Power Girl, Harley provides her own twist on the famous costume, and the infamous boob-window. Her outfit is adorable (And I fully expect to see spectacular cosplays of it soon), but even better is the look from Power Girl herself, who seems disgusted, concerned, and confused all at once. Amanda Conner draws one of the best Power Girl’s around (Just look back on her run with the character) and seeing her have some fun here is great. It’s made even better by the contrasting smile on Harley’s face, who is just super proud of herself and her costume.

2. Catwoman 35 (Monsters Variant) by Joshua Middleton

I’m not a big fan of the Monsters variants that DC is publishing this month. A lot of them are just gross renditions of characters that show artistic skill, but lack what makes the characters special, turning them into vague beasts that go bump in the night. However, the twist that artist Joshua Middleton gives Catwoman is delightful, showing off a true understanding of the character and fun depiction of Halloween itself. Here, Catwoman has gone Trick-Or-Treating, only to return with fine jewelry. The detail to the art itself is very well done, but Middleton chooses to color it with only black, white, and orange. This highlights Selina’s outfit well, as well as the pumpkin basket she is carrying. The coloring extends to the jewels and plays with the lighting well, creating a very simple and memorable cover. Catwoman couldn’t be prouder of herself for her spoils, and Middleton should be proud of himself for a delightful cover.

1. Catwoman 35 by Jae Lee

Jae Lee’s cover to Catwoman 35 re-defines the character. Months back, in the pages of Batman 27, we saw a glimpse of the future to come, with Selina as the head of organized crime. That status quo has finally arrived, and Selina looks deadly in her pants suit, stroking a hairless cat. Whip in hand, she immediately establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with, shedding the dead weight of Ann Nocenti’s run on the character. Her bold new look also allows for her to intimidate the reader, who may be used to a more sexualized Catwoman like we have seen in the past. This redefinition of the character allows for her to really grab your attention, and become a new icon. For a character who has been around for 75 years, it is often tough to redefine yourself. Jae Lee makes it look effortless.

Still Gorgeous:

• Colder Bad Seed 1 by Juan Ferreyra
• Multiversity: The Just by Dale Eaglesham
• Samurai Jack 13 by Genndy Tartakovsky
• Secret Avengers 9 by Tradd Moore
• She-Hulk 9 (Deadpool 75th Anniversary Cover) by Mike McKone

Thank you all for checking us out! We’ll be back next week at our regular posting time, Wednesday at 2:00 pm! You can check out past editions of Comic Book Cover-Up HERE! Be on the lookout for some specials coming up too! (Don’t think I forgot about the covers from the weeks I missed)