There is a veritable cornucopia of new comics hitting stands each week. While readers often know exactly what it is they’re most interested in (those in the know have got their pull-list sitting in their comic shop’s ever-reliable hands), there is something to be said about going against that old truism and Judging a Book by Its Cover.
Some truly astounding cover art hits each and every week, and these are the ones that caught Colin’s eye the week of April 2nd, 2025.
All New Venom #5
Incentive variant by Dike Ruan
Another great costume color/negative space bleed cover, this time from Dike Ruan. The new Venom costume’s bold logo and gold highlights are an interesting and novel take on the classic design, and it works here in all its goopy, drooly glory.
Archie and Friends: Level Up! #1
Variant by Bill Galvan
To say that the mainline Archie comics aren’t exactly cutting-edge may be a bit cynical, but it is also inherently true. If any evidence is needed here’s a great Bill Galvan cover parodying the 1982 North American NES box art for Data East’s BurgerTime, a Donkey Kong-adjacent arcade game. The game might not be topical, but then the timeless escapades of the Riverdale teens rarely are.
Concert of Champions #1
Variant by Ivan Talavera
This Concert of Champions cover really captures the stage energy of modern pop icons as if Dazzler’s rhinestones could be a wardrobe selection for Taylor or Sabrina. Talavera leans into the glittery shininess of the original costume, complete with the ridiculous disco ball pendant; what should feel hokey and dated now feels all the more reasonable after the stage costumes of our current divas.
Huge Detective #5
Variant by Magenta King
Little FBI agent in a big ol’ mouth. Distressing? Yes. I love the title treatment, broken up and shoved boldly off to the side. Though I haven’t checked in on the first four issues of this series, King’s cover sells me on the whole thing; you can’t look at this and not ask yourself what the hell is going on.
I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer #1
Variant by Jae Lee
Speaking of selling a concept with one image, Jae Lee’s disgusting flesh coat says all you need about why you need to pick up I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer. The simplistic, baby-blue background and the jagged lettering of the title work perfectly with Lee’s trademark scratchy gloominess. The juxtaposition of the cutesy little teddy bear necklace is killer.
Ironheart: Bad Chemistry #1
Variant by Mateus Manhanini
Stained glass superheroing! The sleek new Ironheart suit looks sharp, and the detailing is bold — a lot of techy accent lines. Set all that against the beautifully symmetric framing and asymmetric blue panels, and this cover truly pops. It’s a stunning character highlight.
JSA #6
Variant by Ethan Young
There’s a bit of boxy charm to Ethan Young’s JSA — his figures teeter on the edge between standard comics art and ‘animated series’ territory, and the small lighting details help that sensibility — the reflected light on Flash’s helmet, the ethereal glow of Dr Fate’s magic. These characters look like they could burst into motion at any second, and it desperately makes you wish they would.
Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu #7
Variant by Dan Panosian
8-ball is such a goofy, magnificent relic of a previous era; he screams 1970s Marvel (he and Orb could have been spherical friends), though he debuted in 1991 (which seems incongruous to the whole vibe of the early-90s). His recent usage in the Moon Knight books has been fantastic, turning him into an erstwhile good guy. This cover seems to imply that he’s back to his old baddie tricks. I love the textures laid overtop Panosian’s artwork, suggesting the grit and time of the dive bar this pool table resides in.
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