Haunt #19 by Nathan Fox

One of the main things I like about this cover is the style of the new ongoing artist. Nathan Fox is his own beast, so kiss the Ryan Ottley / Todd McFarlane styles good-bye, and say hello to something new and radical for Haunt! This debut cover really hooks me, with the simple layout and radiant colors. The blending of blue and red with a touch of possession in the magical smoke really goes a long way, and is hard to look away from. Nathan Fox, I wait in anticipation for not only the interior art, but the future covers as well.

Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist #1 by Alex Ross

It’s been awhile since an Alex Ross cover popped-up on my radar, but I definitely found myself drawn towards this one in particular. Two of the most vile, ruthless dictators the universe has ever seen, and Flash Gordon caught in the middle, once again our only hope of salvation. I like how Ross used both color and black and white to accommodate the settings for each time period, and even had a Schindler’s List homage (don’t know if it was intentional) with Gordon’s ship being the only colored vehicle in the fleet. Very powerful cover, I can certainly see it as the cover to the future collected hardcover as well.

Green Wake #7 by Riley Rossmo

Being a big fan of Rossmo’s short-but-beautiful run on Daken, it brought me immense pleasure seeing his creepy and psychedelic touch to this cover. Bloody children, the sketchy negative and positive effects, it just reeks of overall eerie. While this cover presents so many questions of what to expect of the story inside, one thing is for certain; it’s not going to be a happy ending, methinks.

Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist #1 by Francesco Francavilla

I am simply at a loss for words. Just when I thought I could write an entire essay on how beautifully fantastic this cover is, he shuts me up by make me examine it for hours, basking in all its glory. This cover is the epitome of science fiction, pulp, and adventure rolled into one. Francavilla is a genius, and I can’t seem to emphasize that enough; I’ll keep shouting it from the rooftops of the internet until the deaf people tell me to put a sock in it!

Batman: Gates of Gotham #1 by Trevor McCarthy

Apparently no one told me that Cliff Chiang and Dustin Nguyen had a baby, and he grew-up to become Trevor McCarthy. The thing I enjoy the most about this cover is the different line textures, and how they scatter across the page every which-way. Add the infused colors, and it all comes together perfectly. I also think I’m a sucker for beautifully rendered stained glass designs, because I recall highlighting another cover last week that featured stained glass as well. Great stuff.

Rocketeer Adventures #1 by Alex Ross

The first comic book movie I saw growing-up was Disney’s The Rocketeer. True Story. Because of it, I was inspired to follow Dave Stevens’ series when I got older. Back to the cover, this is my favorite cover of the week. Alex Ross is one of the best known cover artists out there, and he did a truly spectacular job going above and beyond with this cover in particular. The shininess of the leather, the reflection in the eye-socket, and the cherry on top being the endless waves of clouds below. Almost brings a tear to the eye, because this cover encapsulates everything that is The Rocketeer. A beyond stunning tribute for sure.

Hulk #33 by Gabriel Hardman

The combination of Hardman’s gritty style with bright vibrant coloring makes the entire image just pop, treating the viewer to another great Hulk cover. Rulk may be down, but he’s definitely not out no matter how many villains seem to be teaming-up to finish him off. The rasping state of the Hulk-busting armor, the Steranko-like design of the siren’s costume; it makes my eyes want to dart all over the image eating every little detail up. Hardman helps convey that while it doesn’t appear to be going in Rulk’s favor, the tables can turn in his favor at any moment.

2000AD #1734 by Garry Brown

I see Jim Steranko influence in this image, as well as Sean Phillips. It doesn’t feel like a swipe at all, but a wonderfully executed image by Garry Brown perhaps tipping his hat to both artists. It’s a very beautiful design, using only whites, blues and violets. The images that speak volumes to me are the ones that use little to no black at all (think Asterios Polyp). The circles almost give her a halo-type visual, perhaps communicating she’s the last hope for Mega-City One? All I know is; I’m intrigued. I’d gladly hang this as a poster in my room if it was big enough.

Batman and Robin #23 by Guillem March

A very nice homage to Frank Quitely’s original cover for Batman and Robin #1 from the series relaunch in 2009. Can you spot the difference? If you guessed dead Batman and Robin by Jason Todd’s hand, you’re right! Now while we don’t actually see Todd as The Red Hood in this issue, I’m still a big fan of his costume design. The elongated shiny helmet, the giant red smoking guns, our fallen heroes slowly dying before him, it all has such a dominating feeling upon first glance. A cover and design so fine, Quitely should feel honored by March, because it’s a very cool cover.

In this special episode, Cammy reviews Atomika from Mercury Comics. God created Man, then Man created God.  Special thanks to Sal Abbinanti!

Stay tuned at the end for a special Atomika Contest!

Anyone else feel this week was a bit mediocre?  From Joe Kelly and Max Fiumara comes Four Eyes #2 (Image).  Fast Five picks include Ghost Rider #32 (Marvel), The Death-Defying ‘Devil #3 (Dynamite), Guardians Of The Galaxy #10 (Marvel), Invincible #59 (Image), and Spider-Man: Noir #3 (Marvel).

Dragons, Devils, and Noir helps save this rather dull week of comics.

Astounding week for comics!  It was such a good week, I had FIVE top picks!  Top picks include Incognito #1 (Icon), Green Lantern #36 (DC), Wolverine #70 (Marvel), Justice Society of America #22 (DC), and Scalped #24 (Vertigo).

The one thing I gotta complain about; these holidays $%#!ing up the shipping schedule!  Blue Lanterns, Wolverine, and super villains in the witness protection program all make this week one in a million, and a killer way to kick-off 2009!

Brilliant week for comics! Maybe it’s just because I’m in the holiday spirit, but the pick this week goes to Jason Aaron & Roland Boschi’s The Punisher X-Mas Special (Marvel MAX). Fast Five picks include The Immortal Iron Fist #20 (Marvel), Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #1 (Dark Horse), Criminal Vol. 2 #7 (Icon), Justice Society of America #21 (DC), and Amazing Spider-Man #579 (Marvel).

Frank Castle, hunting giants, and web-heads make this week pretty bitchin’!

Man, what a weak week.  Pick this week goes to Alex Ross for Justice Society of America: Kingdom Come Special – Superman #1 (DC).  Fast Five picks include Batman: Cacophony #1 (DC), Anna Mercury #4 (Avatar), Green Lantern Corps #30 (DC), Wolverine #69 (Marvel), and Detective Comics #850 (DC).

Batman, Redheads in leather, and Star Sapphires help rescue this week from utter misery and chaos.