Archive for category Covers
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 2/29/12
Hack/Slash #13 Cover B by Ben Templesmith
Ben Templesmith’s art and Hack/Slash seemed like such an obvious pairing to me. However, after a little research it seems this is the first time that Templesmith has provided any illustrations to Seeley & the series. What was the frickin’ hold-up?! Cassie embodies the creepy-yet-total-badass combination wonderfully, with the blood on her signature bat a very nice touch. The looming villain with the wall filled with hanging torture tools is the cherry on top, with the perfect use of lighting and colors. If I may be so bold, I demand more Templesmith & Seeley collaborations! It just feels so right.
Spaceman #4 by Dave Johnson
There are so many wonderful techniques the Reverend Dave Johnson uses on this cover. And because he’s a genuine master of his craft, it makes it that much easier to proclaim it as my favorite cover of the week, hands-down. The color scheme of orange and gray, with the mixture of cold and warm colors dominating the majority of the cover make the white bones pop-out that much more effectively and really draws you in to it’s design and beauty as a whole. Such a cool idea with the bones on the arms in crossbones formation, that it makes me wonder when will that tattoo idea catch on with the young folk. “You call that a sleeve? THIS, is a…radical radius?” I want this as a poster, I want this as a print, I want this on the hood of my car. It’s badass, it demands your attention, and it’s the reason you should be submitting your body and soul to the Reverend’s gospel on a daily basis.
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #4 by Rafael Albuquerque
Goddamn is this an awesome looking cover. To me, this is what DC’s Ultimate rendition of the Flash would look like; a red-hot crimson blur, angry at the world, looking like he could explode at any moment. I’ve always been a fan of Albuquerque’s wicked style, but this cover in particular feels like he’s taking his game to a whole other level! This is what Hermes would look like if he was appointed one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; streaking down his message of destruction to our world. The last message we would ever hear before total annihilation.
Star Trek #6 by Tim Bradstreet
“The creature within me is gone. I am free of it, and the pain. I am also quite blind. An equitable trade, Doctor. Thank you.” -Spock in The Immunity Syndrome
The Unwritten #34.5 by Yuko Shimizu
Angelic. Purely whimsical and magical, radiating artistic beauty across the entire comic book medium. The fine details in her curly golden locks and hundreds of feathers just leaves me breathless, completely soaking everything in. I saw her face, now I’m a believer. The minute Shimizu opens a gallery anywhere in the world, I’ll be the first one in line to purchase a ticket. Perhaps one day, I’ll even be fortunate enough to own an original piece. Until that time however, we can all continue to glimpse at in awe, cursing the heavens that none of us will ever produce anything remotely close to perfection like Shimizu does.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 2/22/12
All Star Western #6 by Ladrönn
Rarely do we see any expression of shock or fright from Jonah Hex, but if you were to put yourself in his current situation, chances are you would crap yourself. Multiple times. I’ve fallen in love with the details Ladrönn puts into the giant bat, right down to every strand of hair. That bat face is just pure terrifying, for if the fright from the size alone didn’t kill you, those sharp teeth certainly would. Next thing you know, you’re a human Capri-Sun. Absolutely stunning cover by Ladrönn, and it’s definitely my favorite cover of the week.
Dark Horse Presents #9 by Mike Mignola
Want to easily have your way with me and my money? Simply have Lobster Johnson on the cover. Doesn’t need to be action-packed or anything like that, just the simple menacing pose will suffice. It works so well to have anything but black as the background, because then you can really hone-in and appreciate the beauty of both characters. This cover once again proves that Mignola remains one of the best cover artists in the business.
Incorruptible #27 by Garry Brown
The colors and loud images just screams “PUNK ROCK!” to me, and here I am moshing away to another Garry Brown cover. It almost feels like I dropped some acid, stared at this cover for a few minutes, and suddenly the dose hit me I could hear what the soundtrack was to this cover. I was transported back to the CBGB in the mid-70′s, and the Sex Pistols and the Ramones formed a Punk Rock Super Group, and the New York Dolls provided the colors. In my opinion, jagged lightning bolts make everything better. Oi! This cover is wicked! Oi Oi Oi!
Jennifer Blood #9 by Tim Bradstreet
“Shot through the heart, and you’re too blame, darling you give love, a bad name…” – Bon Jovi
Prophet #22 by Simon Roy
At first glace I feel much like the main character; I was just dropped into this cover, and have no idea what’s going on. I find myself drawn to the beautiful muted coloring of this illustration, and the intense action between the two foes. Plus it’s a well-known fact that automatically any cover is improved by 46% when you include prehistoric flying reptiles. The gripping of the slimy tongue, the dagger sticking out of it’s neck, and the human ready to swing again with his machete; all beautiful details, which make this cover so damn awesome.
Secret Avengers #23 by Arthur Adams
Finally we get a sneak-peek of that Kevlar outfit that was sewn together with threads from goat’s milk. You know the goat I’m talking about; the one that was spliced with arachnid DNA. It makes perfect sense for Venom to receive the first prototype.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 2/15/12
Batman #6 by Greg Capullo
“I’m a monster!” -Buster Bluth, Arrested Development
The New Avengers #21 by Mike Deodato & Rain Beredo
While Mike Deodato isn’t one of those old school, legendary comic book artists, he can sure make a cover look like it stepped out from an era gone-by. To me, the coloring really gives it that dated look and feel, but the shading keeps it current. The style reminds me slightly of of Walt Simonson, Barry Windsor-Smith, and even a little Gene Colon thrown in there. Very beautiful stuff.
Star Trek / Legion Of Super-Heroes #5 by Mike Allred
Look how dreamy Kirk looks right there; worth the price of admission alone! Allred definitely delivers the goods with this cover, adding a groovy ingredient to this sci-fi stew. Everyone’s uniform looks superb, and the layering of the characters fills out the cover quite nicely. Makes me want to go back and re-watch some Star Trek: The Original Series ASAP!
Wonder Woman #6 by Cliff Chiang
Myself being a big fan of Greek mythology growing up, I always loved the beasts of legend the most. Cerberus was always a favorite of mine, and I was slightly disappointed with the interpretation of him in the first Harry Potter film (to be honest, the CGI wasn’t the best at the time). This cover however, does my dawg justice; vicious pointy teeth, evil red eyes, and such a lovely gray coat. Doesn’t look like he’s in complete control though, seeing how Wonder Woman’s lasso is dancing around the cover. Great illustration by Chiang, and I’d love to eventually own a poster or print of it.
X-Factor #232 by David Yardin
“…And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you’re going to fall
Tell ‘em a hookah smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
To call Alice, when she was just small…“
-White Rabbit, Jefferson Airplane
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 2/8/12
Conan The Barbarian #1 by Massimo Carnevale
He may appear a little younger and less scarred from decades of battle, but it’s still definitely our Conan. With Carnevale’s instantly recognizable style from his wonderful Northlanders covers, it seems that this new gig on Conan is a perfect match for him. Highlighting the different attire (armor?) and setting (on a boat?) immediately conveys to us that this isn’t your grandfather’s Conan, but something a little bit more new and exciting. Anyone else craving that skull belt buckle?
Penguin: Pain and Prejudice #5 by Szymon Kudranski
What platform is that; Sega? It appears from this cover that the re-runs of Battlebots have finally hit Gotham airwaves, and Penguin is obviously a big fan. I just love how gigantic this Batman/Bane/Cyborg hybrid is in comparison to Oswald with his first generation XBOX controller (that’s an sick-burn if you’re a video gamer). I’m really a fan of the black and white motif, with threatening red lights abound in the armor and mask. I can almost hear the mechanical thumps and grinds come to life over the Penguins guttural squawks of delight when staring at this cover, and that’s a great compliment to the illustration.
Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #6 by J.G. Jones
While it’s great we get this image of the whole Commandos team together, what freaks me out is that there’s a being out there capable of scooping-up Franky with one hand (a giant red hand, no less)! The color fading from the rest of the team is a neat touch, focusing all color and attention on the center characters. I’m also digging Franky’s old school pistols blasting away at the beast, but something tells me the turnout may be more in his favor with the inclusion of his claymore. Great use of space nonetheless.
Thief of Thieves #1 by Shawn Martinbrough & Felix Serrano
While I do appreciate the entire cast of characters in the painting being stolen by presumably the main character, the real reason I love this cover so much is because of the great homage to graphic design legend Saul Bass with the logo. I know that reasoning sounds weird, but I’m a sucker for the classics. Do yourself a favor and Google The Man With The Golden Arm to see what I’m rambling about.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 2/1/12
Dark Horse Presents #8 by Duncan Fegredo & Dave Stewart
Admit it, you shed a tear too when you learned what happened to Hellboy. I’ve said it before on the podcast and I’ll say it again in writing now; Mike Mignola doesn’t have to illustrate a Hellboy story ever again, as long as he keeps giving art duties to Duncan Fegredo. I realize it sounds crazy, but Fegredo has out-Mignola’d Mignola! Don’t get me wrong; Mignola is a wonderful artist, but Fegredo has somehow taken his baby and improved it beautifully. While Fegredo really impressed me, it’s Dave Stewart’s colors that really put twenty-three cherries on top; look at all that pretty dabbing and texture! This cover is absolute eye-candy.
X-Club #3 by Rodin Esquejo
Let it fly in the breeze
And get caught in the trees
Give a home to the fleas in my hair
A home for fleas
A hive for bees
A nest for birds
There ain’t no words
For the beauty, the splendor, the wonder
Of my…
Hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair
Flow it, show it
Long as God can grow it
My hair
-Hair, Hair the Musical
Sweet Tooth #30 by Jeff Lemire & Jose Villarrubia
My favorite cover of the week, hands-down! I’ve seen some ‘gangsta’ tattoos in my day (I watched Oz, I know what’s up), and this design is practically the standard. However, with the tattoos I’ve seen it’s usually a dead child or relative that’s being highlighted, and if the person puts on a few pounds, it then becomes all distorted looking. Pretty soon after one cheeseburger too many, it looks like you’re mourning the Elephant Man. The shading and shaping of the body looks fantastic (Jepperd looks great for his age), and I especially like the images of Bobby and Wendy on the arms, along with his loved ones of past and present underneath. If you consider yourself a hardcore Jeff Lemire fan, get these tattoos and show Jeff at the next convention you see him at. I can guarantee you he won’t be expecting it.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 1/25/12
The Unwritten #33.5 by Yuko Shimizu
Quick, someone call Spider-Man! I hear this happens to him all the time! Once again we have another beautifully illustrated cover from Shimizu, in her unique and elegantly detailed style. I just love following the tangled strings as they seem to gently entangle the poor girl. The ruffles in her dress and hat are a great final touch, and the pink and white decor give it a wonderful old-timey feel.
King Conan: The Phoenix On The Sword #1 by Andrew Robinson
It has a very classic Frazetta look and feel to it, and really that’s what every Conan cover should strive to be. The splatter of blood on weaponry, the torn and tattered cape, the dark and brooding features; all reeks of a barbarian king to me! A really superb cover, and I can tell that Robinson put a lot of time and heart into making this image iconic.
Incorruptible #26 by Garry Brown
The colors reign supreme in this cover, with the jagged highlighting for each character. The primary colors always work well together when arranged accordingly, and the halo effect beaming from the Plutonian is a nice touch. Great job as usual by Brown, and I can definitely see this cover in particular as the cover for the eventual collection.
Creepy #7 by Sanjulian
“Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y’awl’s neighborhood
And whosoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell
And rot inside a corpse’s shell
The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller!“
-Vincent Price, Thriller
The Walking Dead #93 by Charlie Adlard
I don’t know about the rest of you, but this cover is completely mind-blowing to me. I won’t spoil anything about what the reveal was last issue, but if you’ve been reading the series monthly like I have, you know how exciting (and beautiful) this cover really is.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 1/18/12
Wonder Woman #5 by Cliff Chiang
Don’t kill it! It’s just a misunderstood freak of nature! The thing I enjoy the most about this cover is the creature itself; it’s such a beautiful amalgamation of walrus, octopus, whale and what appears to be a rooster with a crown. However, with the tentacles wrapped around the leg, images of hentai-tentacle-rape do come to mind, but not in any major way. The colors work well together, the outlines are soft on the eye, it’s a great cover!
Ghostbusters #5 by Jose Holder
This looks like one New Year’s Eve party I’d love attend! Having seen the ball drop in Times Square a few times (on television, mind you), it always looks chaotic and quite messy. To pretend for a second that all the people there suddenly became the walking dead would certainly make the call to the Ghostbusters ASAP! I love the frantic, colorful style by Holder with this cover. It portrays the typical dynamic; everyone but Venkman taking the mission at hand seriously. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for Holder in the future, because his is a style I enjoy.
Avengers #21 by Daniel Acuña
Storm is one of those characters who doesn’t get the spotlight very so often. But when she does, especially with a great artist like Acuña, I feel like it’s my birthday. The soft light on her sexy figure, with blue lightning shooting from her hands; it’s enough to get any heterosexual male aroused. That outfit of hers should be the swimwear of this summer, and I could totally pull it off. One might even go so far as to claim that this cover is really shocking. Add the rest of the Avengers in the background, and it’s a very tasteful cover overall.
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Vol. 2 #3 by Dustin Nguyen
One of the things I enjoy about highlighting a cover from a series I know nothing about, is I have no references to base my criticisms on! Therefore, I look at a striking cover such as this one, and just take it all in without having to worry about if the Cloak/Spectre character would actually scream in such a fashion. I love the floating coding zooming by, the holographic faces, and the serpent-like cables. Dustin Nguyen is always a favorite of mine, so it’s great to see him continuing strong with the covers in this new year.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 1/12/12
Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 9 #5 by Steve Morris
Coming soon to Broadway, the Dark Horse Players present; Buffy The Vampire Slayer & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! All kidding aside, I would totally wear that outfit. Not only am I easily entranced by the bright happy colors, but I love the images and faces melting in and out of it. My eyes are having fun darting all around the cover, but then grow a little sad when Buffy looking worry comes into focus. She’s a tough gal though, so I’m not going to worry too much about her. So back to the pretty colors!
Batwoman #5 by J.H. Williams III
Hey look, it’s the movie poster for the sequel The Ladies In The Water (only, you know; better than the original). That’s the thing about vengeful spirits; they come in several different forms, and sometimes all at once. I enjoyed observing each different face, trying to make sense of it all. The way the four faces slowly converge into one is chilling and suspenseful, and the inclusion of Alice is a nice eerie cherry on top. There are seven different faces in total on this cover; can you spot them all?
Doctor Who #13 by Mark Buckingham
“Of all the TARDISes, in all the worlds, in all the galaxies, they walk into mine.” -The Doctor
Dark Matter #1 by Garry Brown
I enjoy the sense of unity in this cover, with everyone holding hands. I think hand-holding is a slowly dying act of chivalry, and I’m glad to see it alive and-What’s that? They’re just posing? Oh. Well of course I knew that! Can’t a guy just rant about the good old days when people could hold hands without being whispered about behind their backs?! Moving on, I love the sense of sci-fi action you get at first glance of this cover. Garry Brown does a superb job with the background colors and textures, and the ship blasting-off and through the shards of the universe. I also enjoy the sketchy look of yellow lines around the figures, giving them a movement of sorts. Very visually stimulating, but then again, Garry Brown is synonymous with that.
The Shade #4 Variant by Darwyn Cooke
Darwyn Cooke continues to captivate me with the simple-yet-stylized covers. Immediately I can make out Vigilante, but the rest of it is like a fine painting that you can’t simply take-in all at once. You need to swish the image around in your brain for a few minutes, slowly deciphering its secrets and the underlying themes. Cities, people, tobacco, it all becomes abundantly clear what’s going on in the cover, and makes you feel more appreciative to Darwyn for not spoon-feeding you the overall image. ‘Times Past’ indeed, and Cooke’s notorious old-timey feel is just what the doctor ordered.
PunisherMAX #21 by Dave Johnson
Dave Johnson knows how to tell a story with only a few objects on the cover. Blood splatter, emptied gun, picture of family. A + B + C = I dunno, I failed at algebra in high school. What I do know is this; this is my favorite cover of the week. It’s intense, eye-opening, and makes you utter to yourself “Holy shit!” just looking at it. This wasn’t a game of Russian Roulette gone awry; this was intentional, and a last ditch effort. To assume from the picture and glove that it’s Frank Castle who just offed himself, that makes it even more shocking. Yes, both Hemingway and Thompson went out by their own accord, but they were accomplished authors! Why go the pussy route like Kurt Cobain?! No clue what the motivation is, but this cover has me freaked out about what I might read inside. Well played, Johnson, I now have to read this comic first just so I can move on with a clear head.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 1/4/12
iZombie #21 by Michael Allred
Why communist ghouls want our purple-skinned protagonist to drink-up the brain coffee, I haven’t a clue. What I do know is that this unique cover intrigues me enough to keep on reading, and question if Starbucks has such a flavor of coffee. Would brain coffee be a bold, or a medium blend? Would you get smarter after consuming a pot, or would you gag after the first sip because you aren’t undead? Now I’m thinking of what you would name the brand; Exotic Einstein? Abby Normal Noche? Quick, someone get me Mr. Starbucks on the phone! Oh, and the cover looks great.
FATALE #1 by Sean Phillips
The latest pulp noir series from Brubaker and Phillips, and OH MY RAPTOR JESUS WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?! Did Al Capone have his way with a Beholder one night, skip town, and not pay child support? I’ve seen nudibrachs that were cuter than that…thing. Back to the cover, Phillips does an extraordinary job with this variant, really giving the viewer a better idea of what to expect inside. You thought you saw the crazier side of Brubaker and Phillips with Incognito, but this cover alone ensures you that you’re sailing into uncharted (yet exciting) waters. If the bullets in that gun don’t kill you, that face certainly will!
Penguin: Pain and Prejudice #4 by Szymon Kudranski
“He’s more machine now than man. His mind is twisted and evil.” – Ben ‘Obi-Wan’ Kenobi
Graveyard of Empires #3 by Paul Azaceta
Why anyone would want to try and grow human skulls as a viable crop is beyond me, but crops are crops, and you must constantly spray them with pesticides to keep the locusts away. What I really like about this cover is the striking use of white on the black and red background. The nice little touch is the glowing red eyes of the skulls, which seem to follow me no matter where I walk around the room. As soon as I heard issue three was coming out this week, I instantly knew I’d be in store for treat; a Paul Azaceta cover (plus interior art!).
Rachel Rising #4 by Terry Moore
It’s the simplicity of this cover that really makes me smile; red background, and charcoal pencils (I’m assuming). While red eyes usually symbolize evil, green eyes can have the same effect…if you’re a GINGER! If those jade eyes aren’t selling you on the whole ‘sinister’ vibe, then perhaps the cattle skull mask she’s wearing will seal the deal. Comic book cover, or metal album cover; this image can work both ways.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 12/28/11
American Vampire #22 by Rafael Albuquerque
Eeeyyy! Grease Lightning, go Grease Lightnin’! So as the cover suggests, we now find our vampires in another decade (yet again). The stylings of a vampire greaser is oddly appealing-yet-fitting to me, and the typography is the cherry on top. I enjoy this series immensely, and I’m not worrying about it jumping the shark in this arc (That was a Fonzi reference, kiddos)! Really enjoyed the stylized simplicity that Rafael put into the cover.
Captain America & Bucky #625 by Francesco Francavilla
If you don’t follow Francesco on Twitter, you really should; every day he posts something new that he’s working on, and the result is always gorgeous. It’s like unwrapping a new present every day, and you still smile every single time. I remember a while back seeing some Captain America action interiors done by him and I was overjoyed. Then I see this cover, and my eyeballs instantly eyegasmed. Everything you need to know about this issue is presented to you on the cover; HYDRA, WW2, and Cap & Bucky. This I can definitely see as the cover they use on the eventual collection.
Haunt #20 by Nathan Fox
Not only is the direction for the series fresh, but the covers by Fox have grown by leaps and bounds as well. I’m instantly hooked by the bizarre array on the cover, and for those who know me, I’m always a sucker for blood-splatter and vibrant neon colors. It’s almost like looking at a 3D acid trip, slowly becoming immersed in this twisted and strange new world. Bottom-line is this; Nathan Fox really brings it with this cover.
The Mice Templar Volume III #6 by Michael Avon Oeming
Did I mention that I’m also a major sucker for watercolors? Because I totally am. Not just well done watercolors, but the combination of inks being incorporated in the flow of the image as well. Very excellent use of the colors on Oeming’s part, and the reds especially hit you with that good creepy feeling. Of mice and men for sure!
The Flash #4 by Francis Manapul
As usual, Barry Allen is the center of the universe. Apparently giving him his own title didn’t inflate his ego enough, so let’s just crank it up to 11 and make him the center of attention as well! Even the text seems drawn to his animal magnetism! I really enjoyed a lot of the white backgrounds this week, especially when there was tons of well-placed colors balancing the image as a whole at the same time. This cover looks great, and really does encapsulate the Flash as a character who is constantly in motion.
The Unwritten #32.5 by Yuko Shimizu
This is my favorite cover of the week, hands down. Everyone else can go home, because Shimizu came, saw, and completely conquered the competition this week. How could you not want this framed on your wall? Shimizu puts such excruciating detail in her covers, that you can’t help but kneel before her greatness. I don’t want this just as a poster, I want it as a t-shirt and a way of life as well. Absolute eye-candy!
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