Welcome to the first installment of Comic Book Cover-Up, where We the Nerdy writer Henry Varona weighs in on his choices for the best comic book covers coming out this week, along with some great honorable mentions! Each week, Henry explain his picks and just what makes them so darn pretty. At the end, he adds up points for each given series, which will work towards earning further accolades in the future!
Point breakdown:
- 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. All-New X-Factor 3 by Jamie McKelvie (Featured image)
Before it was All-New, X-Factor had a history of great covers from David Yardin. With Marvel NOW!, the quality is still consistently amazing, as Jamie McKelvie shows us with his variant cover to issue 3. It’s a very simple cover, as Gambit flashes us a set of cards representing his teammates. But he himself is so striking, with his sly smirk and bad-boy hair. The simplicity of the image allows the colors to shine through, as the kinetic energy from the cards plays off of the mustard yellow background. You can’t help but stare deep into Gambit’s eyes, and pick this superb title up.
4. Superman/Wonder Woman 5 by Dan Panosian
DC is putting out plenty of “Steampunk” covers this month, but very few of them really offer anything other than a different costume. While normally this is enough to satisfy me, the Superman/Wonder Woman cover shines because it takes that concept and goes further, showing Superman carrying Wonder Woman’s luggage. The visual gag is simple, but cute, and places the couple in a rare spot. They’re people here, not heroes, and it’s the fun spirit Dan Panosian conveys here that makes it stand out.
3. Harley Quinn 1 2nd Printing by Clay Mann
Harley Quinn number one sold like hotcakes, so it’s nice to see it getting a second printing. That we get this incredible Clay Mann cover for it makes me want to double dip and buy it again. Mann’s cover is new to this printing, and is really wonderful. Harley is looking down on the reader, as if she has freshly beaten them senseless. The crazy forced perspective is really cool, pushing Harley’s trademark hyenas into your face. The mild pallet helps to highlight the star herself, Harley, who pops under the light, sealing the readers fate with a kiss.
2. X-Force 1 by Phil Noto
What makes this cover so powerful to me is that I want to pick up a book I otherwise wouldn’t. Phil Noto sells this team and this book incredibly well, billing them like a 1980’s dystopian action movie. Casting the book in greys and blues makes it feel cold and distant, but the layout of the characters is engaging. X-Force is too cool for school here, and you want to know why. Pulling the entire image together is the distant gaze of Fantomex, who plays the role of damaged hero afraid to face the world. That you can get so much from a cover is enough to hook me in for more.
1. She-Hulk 1 by Kevin Wada
Our top cover of the week, She-Hulk 1 by Kevin Wada is a great sight to behold. In true She-Hulk fashion, she is breaking through the fourth wall, coming out to meet the reader. She’s battle hardened, but still dainty enough to slip into her high heels. Wada’s history of fashion portraits is apparent here, as Shulkie looks stunning. Wada remembers to play her for laughs though, and strikes the rare balance of beauty, strength, and humor. My favorite part though is her silhouette, which shows off She-Hulk’s musculature to great effect. She’s lean and green and on the scene, and I can’t wait to put this cover on my wall.
Still Gorgeous:
- Fatale 20 by Sean Phillips
- All-New X-Factor 3 by Kris Anka
- Deadpool 23 by Mark Brooks
- She-Hulk 1 by Siya Oyum
- Batgirl 28 (Steampunk) by J.G. Jones
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