Judging by the Cover – 9/12/18 new releases

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 Trevor Richardson and Manga Editor Eric Cline’s attention this week.

Trevor’s Picks:

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #36
Cover art by Erica Henderson

This lifelike, lovingly rendered, absolutely stunning Tippy-Toe portrait has watered my crops, cleared my skin, and put a smile on my face. Some of my favorite panels in Squirrel Girl have been close-ups on Tippy or other squirrels where Henderson flexes her expert skill in rendering animals in high detail while staying true to her charming style. With this cover, she goes above and beyond with regards to all the detail in Tippy’s fur and the inky texture of her eyes. This is a cover I could see myself framing and hanging on my wall.

Catwoman #3
Cover art by Joëlle Jones

This cover not only serves as yet another stunning piece of Joëlle Jones’s masterful use of ink to convey texture and contrast, but alludes to the themes of the series as well. Since Selina left Gotham for L.A., she’s been trying to process–or at least block out–her turbulent feelings about the events that led to her departure. In this cover, Jones conveys the idea that Selina wants to numb herself to her pain, the claws of her catsuit holding the precious ice close.

Exiles #8
Cover art by Mike McKone

Mike McKone really captures the multiverse-hopping idea of Exiles with this cover. From the Kirby-esque framing to the cohesive yet unique designs of Blink, Iron Lad, and Valk, to Wolvie sticking out like a sore thumb, McKone immediately lets you know that these characters don’t call the same place home. The shading on the bulbous domes of the Watchers is also a great blend of gravitas and humor with such dramatic lighting on such silly-looking characters. A fun cover for a fun series!

Eric’s Picks:

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #36
Cover art by Erica Henderson

Over the course of this series’s run, Erica Henderson has drawn a lot of squirrels. This might be the single best one, though. This painting of Tippy-Toe is just plain beautiful, from the colors to the fur movement to those gorgeous eyes. This cover is defined by an amazingly soft texture that’s just mind-boggling.

Iceman #1
Cover art by W. Scott Forbes

Iceman is back, and he’s looking great! W. Scott Forbes’ painting jumps out with its lovely colors, especially on Bobby’s ice projections. The decision to include other characters’ reflections via the ice in the background is also a good one. Bishop’s presence is especially interesting given that him and Bobby have never had major page-time together. This is a fun piece signaling the return of a series that was gone too soon.

Journey Into Mystery: Birth of Krakoa #1
Cover art by Ben Caldwell

I am so excited for this comic. I had a hard time choosing between its two covers, but this one won out in the end. Krakoa is both beautiful and imposing as he towers over Nick Fury, with dark trees and soil that contrast well against the red flowers sticking out among the skeletons. The contrast between the yellow sand and blue ocean water is also gorgeous. This piece has both the bright, fun hues of old school comics as well as a strong touch of horror, and the combination is fantastic.