Most comic book fans have a solid idea about what they’re going to buy every week as they descend upon 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, funny, scary, etc. 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 our attention this week, with entries from comics editor Chris Coplan. This is Judging by the Cover.
Ghost Rider #13
Cover by Björn Barends
If you know even a little about Marvel history, you may recognize that helmet. And it’s an especially powerful nod given that this book’s writer, Benjamin Percy, is also behind the ongoing Wolverine. And so, speaking to those of you in the know, I ask one simple question: how did you pick your jaws off the floor and/or stuff your brains back into your skull? Because once more, cover artist Björn Barends has used his immense powers (clearly drawn from the dimension where all metal and metal-related imagery exists) and crafted this absolutely epic piece of fan-tantalizing art. Do I actually think that there’s a Weapon X Ghost Rider/Ghost Rider Weapon X, especially given some of the rumors currently circulating? Yes, and it’s more than anything I’ve ever wanted in most of my life. (Even if I think that might be too terrifying even for some of the Percy-penned stories.) But if nothing else, this cover generates some absolute insanity in the brain and gets me hyped to the moon for whatever comes next.
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #6
Cover by Marc Silvestri
I was already sold, even before word one, when it was announced that Marc Silvestri would be handling a Batman and Joker “team up.” And then when I actually spoke to the famed artist, his love of these characters only affirmed my trust in both the concept and its execution. While the series thus far has been pretty compelling and entertaining, it feels like Silvestri has hit a real high point with the cover to the penultimate issue (#6). Because, as the pair make their way into the sewer as “unwilling participants” in a “bone-chilling wedding ceremony in the catacombs beneath Gotham City,” the appearance of zombie sewer bride feels like the pinnacle of weirdness and horror. Not only that, it raises questions of who’s marrying who, and just what kind of force it might take to stop said bride if she decides to make their team-up permanent. It’s a pretty interesting image, but one whose real power draws you in and gets the story building squarely in your head.
Where Monsters Lie #3
Cover by Piotr Kowalski
This series, which has been described as “Cabin in the Woods meets Tucker and Dale vs. Evil,” doesn’t waste any time. It’s only two issues in, and the secret town filled with monsters and killers is already on the verge of imploding. While some writer might have opted to tease that out a bit more, writer Kyle Starks didn’t want to waste anyone’s time for the carnage and insanity that’s about to pop off. His collaborator, artist Piotr Kowalski, is clearly in the same boat, especially when it comes to the cover for the oh-so important issue #3. What it lacks in nuance and subtlety it more than makes up for in sheer impact. It’s hard to tell what’s more terrifying, the actual flamethrower-wielding demon clown amid the field of skulls or the fact that we’re still early in this story and things are only going to get even more bloody and bonkers. I mean, how do you beat something this compelling and terrifying? Don’t actually tell me; I may actually want to sleep tonight.
Hairball #1
Cover by Matt Kindt
I’ve only been a cat owner for a few years, but believe me when I tell you that they’re monsters from the depths of hell and would bat around your pancreas if given the chance. And Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins are clearly of the same opinion, as their new series Hairball follows a “young girl with a black cat” who suddenly “begins to suspect the innocuous beast is behind all her troubles” (i.e, a stream of supernatural horrors). And, sure, Kindt could have drawn this cat fully demonic, but instead he captured this feline as they all are — utterly darling and yet also detached from any goodness and decency. If anything, the bowtie and purple shading split the difference between the ominous and the adorable, like Damien Thorn if you could somehow pet his little belly. Forget who’s finger that is — the real question is what’s that little demon going to make you do with it.
Junk Rabbit #1
Cover by Jimmie Robinson
If you describe your book as “Swamp Thing meets RoboCop,” you’ve got most of my interest. If said book is also written and drawn by Jimmie Robinson (of Bomb Queen fame), then you’ve all but captured the rest of it. The titular Junk Rabbit is the perfect hero for our day and age — rising from “mountains of consumer waste, mass homelessness, and devastating climate change.” As such, his “suit” is both generally impressive given that it looks to be made of old car parts and a hair dryer, as well as being a little overly silly to boot. Perhaps, then, that’s the whole vibe: something worth paying attention to and also a little silly — an idea/concept hugely reflective of our own lackluster response to these dire societal and environmental issues. And if the book can deliver that level and approach of satire, Junk Rabbit just may be the hero we need after all. That is, of course, if he gets unstuck from that mix of what appears to be gum and toxic sludge.
The Nasty #1
Cover by Adam Cahoon
Here’s another cover where if you’ve been on Twitter at any point in the last few months, you may be more than familiar. And aside from the barrage of people sharing and discussing this piece and the series at large, I’m still interested in a story about a guy who’s imaginary friend is “the masked killer from his favourite slasher film.” (So, like Drop Dead Fred meets Friday the 13th, yeah?) It’s not just that they really play up the while imaginary buddy aspect; that the art still feels like a slightly darker take on Archie Comics; or even that I wish to one day get more insight/back story about the movie posters featured. It’s that the cover proves this series narrowly avoids the uncanny valley of horror, and we get something that honors the genre and also feels fresh and novel. Also, shoutout to use what appears to be a railroad spike as a weapon; it sure beats claws and machetes.
Codename: Ric Flair #1
Variant cover by Dave Dorman
If you’re not a wrestling fan, even you might recognize Ric Flair. He’s sort of the Lebron James or Cal Ripken of the sport — even if his true greatness is contested more than those icons. Because, if nothing else, Flair represents the charisma and over-the-top tendencies that people often associate with wrestling. So, as a natural (or maybe unnatural?) extension of that, the creative team of James Haick III and Rafael Loureiro have made a series that “details his fact-or-fiction forays as an international superspy in the 1980s and 1990s.” As such, what better cover to kick off this slice of extra-stylin’ espionage than from famed illustrator Dave Dorman. Not only is it a proper send-up of James Bond, but Dorman captures something delightfully chintzy and a little filthy feeling that’s perfect for both wrestling and Flair in general. Plus, I get some real sci-fi vibes here, and that just seems to do wonders with the whole thing. I also thought for one sec that Flair was holding a WCW title while “on the job,” and that somehow made it all the more wonderful.
Batman #134
Variant cover by Tom King
You’re reading (and seeing!) this right — Tom King, star writer of Mister Miracle and Danger Street, has drawn a variant cover for Batman #134. And, yeah, the whole thing’s a big April Fools joke, and another gimmick to sell more books. But I’d like to actually critique King’s work in a mostly honest and sincere way in celebration of the sheer guts it took to actually tackle this endeavor. For one, there’s plenty of upsides — his penmanship is pretty top-notch, and I love the way he’s depicted the capes in a kind of flowy manner. Are there some downsides?? Sure, his buildings and sense of scaling are a little off (what are Batman and Robin, like 12 feet tall?) That, and Batman looks more depressed than his usual overt sterness. But all that aside, King did a really good job on what was meant to be a joke, and captured something fun and silly that’s inherent to Batman (especially this Chip Zdarsky-penned run). I’d give it 7.4 Bats out of 10.
Wolverine #32
Variant cover by Josemaria Casanovas
What’s that old saying about an unstoppable object meeting an immovable force? Well, what if both things are a snarling madman with super razor claws? That’s sort of the promise of the ongoing story in Wolverine, as Beast tries, in all his infinite wisdom (?) to further save mankind by ::checks notes:: making a bunch of Wolverine clones? It all makes sense if you’re up to date with the issue up to #32; if you’re not, however, then all of you have like some of us is this excellent Josemaria Casanovas variant cover. The idea of Logan ripping to shreds various “versions” of himself is quite awesome and funny — especially given the sheer diversity of the cloned Logan gang. (I think we’re just missing some stand-in from the animated series, right?) Yet it’s also amazing because this is sort of like therapy — or the closest thing Logan would get to trying to wrap his head around himself to suss out the many demons that plague his adamantium-plated skull. In that sense, the only thing more wrenching than his claws into a clone’s torso is the truths and insights he may be subconsciously working through. He’s the best at what he does — and sometimes that’s extra bloody self-evaluation.
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