Judging by the Cover – 09/27/23 new releases

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.

Jean Grey #2

Cover by Amy Reeder

It’s been a minute since I’ve dumped on one Scott Summers in this here column. I figure with all the madness that is Fall of X taking root, ol’ Cyclops could use a little break. But I just couldn’t help myself when it came to this totally awesome Amy Reeder cover. Because if there’s an upside (and a potential downside?) to Cyclops, it’s his efforts to be a halfway decent partner to one of the world’s most powerful people. But there’s more than just commitment and devotion here — as the story promises another host for the Phoenix Force, it’s clear who that person might be. And even if it isn’t — god, a Phoenix Cyclops would be amazing even for a purebred hater like myself — the other implications are just as dizzy. Because the Phoenix is a vital part of the Jean-Scott relationship, and a change in history could help us understand their dynamic in a new light. Plus, it’s the kind of “what if” moment that really goes for the throat in terms of shifting the universe and our core understanding, and it feels like a big-time decision/movement. This doesn’t really make me hate on Scott any less, but it’s good to know there’s still ways to further explore the living embodiment of spoiled kombucha.

Kaptara: Universal Truths #2

Cover by Kagan McLeod

Back in August, after a multi-year break/hiatus, Chip Zdarsky and Kagan McLeod reunited for Kaptara. The return of this “charming, off-the-wall space comedy” started strongly enough, as we further followed astronaut Keith Kanga trying to escape the titular planet. And issue #2 follows suite with a journey into the Hollow Palace for something that promises to be super important. Is it more important than McLeod’s own cover to issue #2? I hope so, otherwise it’s going to be bad news for the actual story. But what makes this cover nonetheless important is that it’s cool, and that’s all that really matters. It’s like a weird, somehow cutesy version of Guyver — even as all those bulging muscles remain especially unnerving. Or some other biopunk saga filtered through the lens of GI Joe (or is that just me?) Regardless, I love when covers just give us some weird part of a book, and show off the vibe and dynamic of a place and let us fill in the spaces (or not, for that matter). In the case of this book specifically, it’s such a deliberate and intense look but also one that feels deliberately chaotic and borderline silly — a perfect melding of ideas. Let’s hope the story makes ample use of our weirdly muscular friend.

The Flash #1

Variant cover by Rahzzah

You don’t write this column if you don’t love comics (and also have a mild interest in annoying folks). But I’m doubly, nay triply, excited about the forthcoming Flash book from Si Spurrier, Mike Deodato, Jr., and Trish Mulvihill. Because just as Wally West’s powers seem to be stronger than ever, he’s faced with the idea that something’s just a little off. And by off, I mean he’ll have to face the prospect of “whispers from the dark vibrations beyond the Speed Force” and what that means for new multiversal adventures. Given that framework, I had to go with the Rahzzah variant cover. Because I’d like to think Wally’s now so fast, he’s basically bounding across the world in such a way, as if the very planet is just a step or two in his cosmic wingspan. And while that creates a really cool fishbowl effect, there’s no denying that it’s skewed the outlook and perspective of the Scarlet Speedster, and that seems really prescient for this weird and wild new era. That, and it almost feels a little sad — as if he’s so fast that there’s inevitably things he’s going to miss or only really see in a very specific way/framework. It’s a larger prevailing premise that has me excited for the next trail that Flash is about to blaze.

Sainted Love #1

Cover by Giopota

Do you love time travel? How about vital representation and diversity that doesn’t flinch in its portrayal of real people? Then you’ve got a new book for your TBR pile with Sainted Love. The TL;DR of it all is we follow two lovers, Malcolm and John, as they “encounter famous queer people throughout history and fight back against all who would see their names and love erased.” And the debut cover from series artist Giopta (from the webcomic Mothersea) presents just why this book feels doubly important. Of course, Mal and John take a leading role — their whole dynamic is clearly a vital and vibrant part of this book. But you also get a little tease of one of their “destinations” with the Hollywood sign — if you’re going on an educational jaunt across the timeline, it seems like an environment ripe with personal and storyline potential. And, of course, the sweet time machine stuff itself — like a spin on Jules Verne’s work in the very best way possible. It’s little touches and ideas and whatnot that speak to this book’s power, and its mix of quaintness and compelling storytelling that makes it such a vitally important title. And, seriously, I haven’t even mentioned the pun-tastic title.

Tales From The Cave #1

Cover by Shane Connery Volk and Luca Romano

I’m torn when it comes to Halloween. Sure, I’m all for folks having fun ’cause the world is a hellscape, but even I think starting the celebrations in mid-ish-September feels a little silly. But when that oversized celebration results in books like Tales From The Cave #1, I can stop being such a narc for even a second. And like any proper Halloween media extravaganza, we’ve got ourselves a proper anthology, with stories from big Mad Cave books in Battlecats, Nottingham, and Hunt. Kill. Repeat. And cover artists Shane Connery Volk and Luca Romano have done a damn fine job balancing these three rather different books while uniting them around the delightfully cheesy trope that is a Jack-o’-lantern. It’s an image that’s scary as it is silly, and balances that air of mystery with one little wonky eye from our pumpkin friend. The detail alone is a clear sign of the thought and commitment poured into this piece, and another reason why it gets easier to celebrate Halloween considering how much it’s transcended the season. And if nothing else, excluding ghouls and/or demons makes this about something more wonderfully hokey and thus infinitely more true to the things I truly love about the holiday. Plus, more time to buy candy corn, amiright?!

The Traveler’s Guide to Flogoria #3

Cover by Sam Moore

I paid enough attention to writer-artist Sam Moore’s The Traveler’s Guide to Flogoria when it debuted back in late June. But then delays sort of got me off track, and  I’m actually a little delighted and relieved that he’s roared back with two books in the last few weeks. Issue #3, especially, seems to present something essential in the story of Harry Blandford’s trip into the strange realm of Flogoria. It would make sense that the slightly nerdy, anxiety-riddled Blandford (what a strong last name!) would begin to categorize the realm’s many strange fauna and flora. I love the slightly childish look to it; it makes it both silly and sort of realistic. Plus, the actual creatures themselves are a proper balance of whimsical and nightmare-inducing. And, of course, you just have to give it up for the sheer level of detail Moore employed here; it’s proper world-building for sure. But more than all of that, I love the slightly meta overtone of all of this — it’s like we’re seeing how Moore views the world and what he did to get it off the ground. In that sense, it adds new layer to Harry’s journey, and it links hero and reader alike in some compelling and thoughtful ways. But, really, what would you rather face down: a Heeblork or a Musegork?

Blade #3

Variant cover by Martín Cóccolo

The solicitation for Blade #3 doesn’t do a very good job in hiding the big secret awaiting in that issue. That’s especially true when this variant cover basically basically reveals just which “familiar friend” is drawn “into the fray” surrounding the demon Adana. But then sometimes spoilers like this are OK, and the sort of thing that doesn’t so much ruin the story but enhance it in a really novel way. (Plus, there’s way more to reveal about issue #3 sans special guest spots.) The thing it does for me is to start thinking about the Blade-Captain America dynamic. Sure, logistically speaking, we know how they may know each other, but I think this cover from Marvel Stormbreaker Martin Coccolo speaks to something more essential about their pair. Namely, that as bizarre as this duo may seem on paper, there’s connective potential aplenty. More than even their sweet moves on the battlefield, they are unrelenting fighters, willing to go toe-to-toe with almost anything, no matter the setting or odds, in the name of a generally good cause. Violence isn’t (always) the answer, but these two don’t have any issues with getting down to protect others, and they are united as proper warriors. Costumes and lifestyles are a choice — it’s this kind of bond that feels sacred and speaks to the kinds of ideas and interests of this still-young, quite promising series.

Detective Comics #1074

Cover by Evan Cagle

You don’t need to be a Batman fan/reader for long before you see the man take some blows. A battle-damaged Bat is as prevalent as a quip from a Robin, or another caper from the Joker. But there’s something unique about this version of a beaten down Dark Knight. For one, as he further grapples (physically and spiritually) with an Azmer demon, it’s testing Bats in a new way across this very dark, very intense series. And so as he grapples for his life (and perhaps his own sanity?), Batman has reached a peak level of broken and disheveled. It’s as likely that his mask got damaged as he just started clawing away at it. And in that look in his eye — despair with a subtle hint of confusion — and it seems even more likely that Batman is battling himself as much as any demon. The fact that you have what appears to be a giant bat-demon about to attack Batman, and that’s only the second or third most interesting thing on the page, says a lot about the power of this piece. It’ll be interesting to see how this cover translates in the story proper, and the kind of depths Batman will find himself exploring. Because the start alone is undeniably haunting.

Grandma Tilly’s Hell-Tech Mech #1

Cover by Lane Lloyd

I sort of recall seeing this series brought up a couple years ago. But that could have been a fever dream, or some kind of devilish time loop of sorts in our End Times-adjacent world. But that only speaks to the pure power and scope of this book — it feels as if it’s something strangely familiar even as it’s a brand-new book. Maybe that’s some of the influence from the “mech suits powered by Hell-tech,” or what happens with a “tracksuit-wearing sexagenarian gamer at the helm as she quests for a new controller.” Either way, series-cover artist Lane Lloyd has created a really compelling preview of what’s sure to be a deeply bananas book. The hell-Mech, for instance (or is that a regular demon?) feels like a proper mix of steampunk vibes and Voltron. And our elderly gamer seems both warm and approachable and yet clearly at home amid the nasty Hell-tech, which worries as much as it energizes the ol’ brain pan. It’s a mix of playful cartoon vibes and indie comics absurdity, and the space between those is really inviting (but never any less intense). I’m interested to see just how much more kooky and/or depraved this book gets, as this cover really sells a world with an unflinching identity that’s hard not to want to delve into face first. As long as everyone else can see this cover and I haven’t made it up, everything is copacetic.