Posts Tagged francis manapul
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!
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 12/14/11
Doctor Who #12 by Mark Buckingham
Just to get us all in the holiday spirit, why not start things off with everyone’s favorite Time Lord? Those Santas do not look friendly, so maybe all they really need to warm their robotic hearts is a little loving from The Doctor? I like Buckingham’s old-timey Christmas feel in this cover, no matter how perilous the situation seems to be. Are you my Santa? Saaaanta!
Batwoman #4 by J.H. Williams III
Like a phoenix (or Flamebird) rising from the ashes when Batwoman told her to get lost, this cover has so much happening on it. What I find most unsettling is the hooked hand with blood on it, curved around its next possible target. It’s J.H. Williams III, enough said. You’re just a Grade-A fool if you’re not picking this comic up for the cover alone.
American Vampire #21 by Raphael Albuquerque
As if Albuquerque’s washes weren’t beautiful enough, he continues with the action happening in the character outlines for this past arc. Just the details of the starry night over the massacre alone is enough to hook me, everything else is just an added bonus. Great color scheme, great use of space, this cover is definitely a homerun.
Green Lantern #4 by Francis Manapul
While the story has been lacking, this variant cover alone redeems these past four issues in my opinion. Just the Hal / Sinestro amalgamation is beautifully depicted by Manapul, who really goes to town on the splatters and crisscrossing colors. I found myself studying this cover for several minutes, because I was so entranced in its glory. I choose this as my favorite cover of the week.
The Walking Dead #92 by Charlie Adlard
Zombies to the left of me, Abraham to the right, here I am (stuck in the middle with Michonne)! It’ll be a hit on iTunes, just you nay-sayers wait!
Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #4 by J.G. Jones
With this diverse cast of horror misfits, it’s only appropriate (given their current situation) to have them depicted in a horror movie cover from the 1950’s. I would go see this movie in a heart-beat, popcorn at the ready! While I want to say the typography at the bottom really sells me on it, look at Franky with his claymore over his shoulder; the dude reeks of badassery.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 11/23/11
The Flash #3 by Francis Manapul
Falling in unison! First of all, I love the diagonal flow of the image, and how it still manages to balance with the negative space. Then we have the colors; the vibrant crimson of the scarlet speedster as he attempts to reach a friend in a sea of purple and white. This cover reminds us all how beautiful watercolors can be when done right. It’s obviously a strength of Manapul’s, and he’s well aware of it.
Diablo #1 by Joseph Lacroix
I know I’ve seen Lacroix’s style somewhere before, but I just can’t put my finger on it at the moment. What I really like about this cover is the raw edginess of Lacroix’s style, which is slightly similar to some of the artists over at Dark Horse in my opinion. The attention to detail is superb, and even the use of cooler colors makes each object and individual pop-out at you. I’m not sure if this is a comic based on the video game or what have you, but I know the cover alone intrigues me to pick it up.
Dark Horse Presents #6 by Fabio Moon
I think what I enjoy the most about this cover is the image of the great unknown lying in wait before you. Do you chart your own destiny, or do higher beings make that decision for you? Everything to the stone carvings to the gondola make me smile, for Moon is just one of those artists who always excels on every point.
The Shade #2 by Cully Hamner
If you look carefully in the background, you can see very detailed and intricate mosaic work. It’s the little things sometimes that make it all worth while. That’s not the only this I like about this cover though; I also have a fond appreciation for the great bird head cane handle, and the overall color scheme for the cover. Shade himself is a dark being, always finding himself surrounded by warmth it seems. Very simple yet gorgeous cover, and a reminder of Hamner’s fantastic style.
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 184 (10/2/11)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on October 2, 2011
Rockin’ the rock, and walkin’ the walk! Pick Of The Week goes to Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti and Moritat for All-Star Western #1 (DC)! Fast Five picks include The Savage Hawkman #1 (DC), Aquaman #1 (DC), Captain America & Bucky #622 (Marvel), Justice League: Dark #1 (DC), and The Flash #1 (DC). Spoilers!
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 2/10/11
The Walking Dead #81 by Charlie Adlard
When you think about The Walking Dead, zombies come to mind. And with this cover, we sure do get a herd of terrifying zombies grabbing at our seemingly doomed heroes. Just the look of terror on Glenn’s face alone sends chills down my spine. I also like the vomit-green coloring of the zombies in the background, making the protagonists in the foreground pop. This cover is like the anti-Hang In There! poster with the adorable kitten on a rope. This is the You’re Fucked! poster for sure.
Cinderella: Fables Are Forever #1 by Chrissie Zullo
When the first Cinderella mini-series came out, I was instantly hooked to Chrissie Zullo’s covers. She made Cinderella pretty, yet a total badass babe. Upon seeing her lovely style once again gracing the covers on this latest series, I once again melted into a warm puddle of goo. Cinderella, in a skimpy outfit, in the snow, packing heat. I don’t know about you, but I think Russia is going to start melting in the background! I think I’d have to claim this cover as being my favorite of the week, if not the entire month.
Justice League: Generation Lost #19 by Dustin Nguyen
Dammit, not again! This cover is simplistic and iconic, yet tells the audience everything they need to know. The shadowy figure with the smoking gun, the fallen hero, all déjà vu to comic fans. I think my favorite detail is the blue smoke rising from the gun, just because it balances well with the other two colors (red and black). While usually Dustin Nguyen gives us extravagant covers with lots of fine detail and pretty colors, this one really stands out as one of his personal bests in my opinion. As depressed as I am about the outcome of this issue, the cover alone is something I would want hanging on my wall.
The Unwritten #22 by Yuko Shimizu
Another Yuko Shimizu cover, and once again I’m stunned by all its radiant beauty. The only thing I can see myself being more fascinated by other than this cover, is Shimizu’s process on creating such a masterpiece. It looks like he took months to create this cover, when in reality I’m sure it took him a week or two because he has his own way of doing things down cold. This cover just screams “adventure”, and all I want to know is where can I sign up?
The Flash #9 by Francis Manapul
Very simple cover; Flash logo, with the Flash himself running right at you. Then again, I just love Manapul’s take on the Flash. I always thought no one should draw the Flash unless it was Scott Kolins, but then here comes along Manapul with his beautiful watercolors, and steals my heart. So yes, although there isn’t much on this cover, it speaks volumes about the character.
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 146 (11/21/10)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on November 22, 2010
Holy cow DC dominated this week in comics! Pick Of The Week goes to Grant Morrison & Yanick Paquette for Batman Inc. #1 (DC). Fast Five picks include The Flash #6 (DC), Green Lantern #59 (DC), Hellboy: Double Feature of Evil (Dark Horse), Green Lantern Corps #54 (DC), and Superman/Batman #78 (DC).
Catwoman and tentacle porn? Did God remember my birthday??
Cammys Comic Corner Episode 126 (5/16/10)
Posted by readmin in Weekly Reviews on May 16, 2010
Gigantic week for comics! Pick Of The Week goes to Joshua Luna & Jonathan Luna for The Sword #24 (Image). Fast Five picks include Siege #4 (Marvel), The Flash #2 (DC), New Avengers: Finale (Marvel), Daytripper #6 (Vertigo), and PunisherMAX #7 (MAX).
With Siege over with, now onwards to the MILLIONS of upcoming Avengers titles!
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 122 (4/18/10)
Posted by readmin in Weekly Reviews on April 18, 2010
Quite the gigantic week of comics! The Pick Of The Week goes to Geoff Johns & Francis Manapul for The Flash #1 (DC). Fast Five picks include Siege: Loki #1 (Marvel), Fables #94 (Vertigo), Black Widow #1 (Marvel), Brightest Day #0 (DC), and PunisherMAX #6 (MAX).
I was pretty exhausted after all that reading!
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 110 (1/17/10)
Posted by Gregory in Weekly Reviews on January 17, 2010
I live! Pick of the Week goes to Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul for Adventure Comics #6 (DC). Fast Five picks include Conan: The Weight of the Crown #1 (Dark Horse), Amazing Spider-Man #617 (Marvel), Absolution #6 (Avatar), PunisherMAX #3 (MAX), and The Anchor #4 (BOOM! Studios).
And yes, I realize that I do eat crow in the closing remarks.
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