Most comic book fans have a pretty good idea what they’re going to buy every week when they visit their local comic shop. With that said, there’s still a lot of fun to be had just glancing at the week’s new releases and taking a chance on a book that looks promising. That’s where covers come in. A fantastic image can make the difference between trying something new or saying, “Nah, not this week.”
In that spirit, here are the covers that captured contributor Forrest Hollingsworth and Manga Editor Eric Cline’s attention this week.
Forrest’s Picks:
Death of the Inhumans #5
Cover art by Kaare Andrews
This is a beautifully somber cover for what has been an uneven but dark and effective story. I love the spotlight, the subtle reflection on the tile, and the attention to detail in Lockjaw’s fur as well as in the damage to Black Bolt’s suit. You really feel as if you’re walking into a scene where you would feel the need to slowly back away, silent and respectful. Setting the whole thing against a completely black backdrop really seals the deal, too.
The Immortal Hulk #8
Cover art by Alex Ross
This is such a powerful cover with a fun Frankensteinian vibe that I love a lot. This is probably the most effective means that I’ve ever seen of containing the Hulk, and given the bubbling in some of the jars as well as the pained expression on the face it seems that its still not working — that’s fantastic visual storytelling! There’s just the right amount of elements to keep track of, the coloring is just right, and the tone is conveyed without beating you over the head with it — very cool and a little creepy.
The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #2
Cover art by Gabriel Ba
Probably one of my greatest comic book crimes, or at least one for someone who writes for a comic book website, is that I haven’t read even a page of Umbrella Academy. However, this cover makes me want to! I love the dynamic lighting here that highlights the characters but keeps them a little enshrouded in mystery, the way they play into the shadows which themselves become a kind of patterned backdrop, the orange outlines on everything, and the steam-punk neo-noir aesthetic it all seems to have. Maybe I’ll eventually check this out, which is exactly what this feature is all about, right?
Eric’s Picks:
Nightwing #52
Cover art by Kamome Shirahama
I love this style on its own merits, and it’s refreshingly different from a lot of other recent Nightwing art to boot. The primary use of blues and greens helps convey nighttime in the city without relying too much on solid blacks, which helps keep the image from looking dreary. Nightwing’s pose also contributes to this sense of ease, as we get to see him partway through one of his trademark acrobatic swings. The posing of the body is just fantastic, and my favorite detail might be the way his fingers are spaced out. Shirahama really knows what they’re doing in terms of making the action read believably while still delivering an image that’s just plain cool.
Iceman #3
Cover art by W. Scott Forbes
I’ve loved this cover ever since I first saw it solicited a few months ago. It’s just fun. Forbes’ colors are nice and bright, and the painting has a soft texture to it that’s pleasing to look at. Plus, of course, there’s the sheer coolness of the premise — the Amazing Friends are back together! This is a good example of a cover actually conveying what the issue is about and making the reader want to pick it up. The amusingly casual choice of setting here (all three heroes just pal-ing around on a telephone poll) is also a good choice, helping to reflect the series’ lighthearted tone.
Shatterstar #2
Cover art by Yasmine Putri
Yasmine Putri is a boss in general, and she hasn’t been letting me down with her Shatterstar work either. I dig the use of white space doubling as actual physical detail here. It helps draw the reader’s eye right to the focal points: Star’s intense gaze, his intimidating swords, and the small splay of blood coming off of them. This hero means business.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.