Judging by the Cover – 10/15/25 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.

Iron & Frost #1

Variant cover by Rod Reis

Admittedly, referencing Tony Stark’s heart these days does feel a little hokey. (We get it, the man can never live down his robust selfish streak.) But if we’re honing in on the Tony-Emma Frost relationship (and what’s left of it years after “3K’s devastating terrorist cost [them] everything”), then it only seems appropriate. This time around, at least there’s a few layers — not only is Tony a little emotionally frigid at times, but Emma totally gets him and connects with the billionaire bad boy in a way I think not many other creators have been able to in his long, long career. The pair just make white-hot magic when they’re together, and I’m deeply interested to see if it plays out as deliciously and dramatically as this cover would have us believe. #TeamEmny

Nightwing #131

Variant cover by Dustin Nguyen

Sort of with the whole “Tony Stark and his heart” thang, no hero emotes so brilliantly and dramatically as Nightwing. Toss in a little rain, and it’s like some very specific Taking Back Sunday album made manifest. But Dustin Nguyen’s variant doesn’t just get points for being peak Emo Nightwing — there’s some generally compelling work here. That red tint/glow feels like it captures something deeper about the cityscape (could be Gotham or Blüdhaven). That black squiggly thing near the bottom right has me thinking it was something blooming out of the concrete, and that feels like a hefty metaphor. And, if nothing else, all that “empty” space just feels packed with further significance. You do you, Nightwing, but let us know if you ever wanna talk it out.

Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

Variant cover by Jon Lankry

This is apparently the comics debut of TMNT as they’re depicted in the recent Nickelodeon show of the same name. (I swear they’ve popped up before, but that might just be variant covers — Turtle Squad, please correct me!) Admittedly, I don’t know too much about this version of the brothers, though I am in support of Donny needing to wear glasses as that kind of representation matters. But if you’re in the same boat, this Jon Lankry variant cover is doing a lot for our immersion because damn if it doesn’t give off hard Mirage vibes. It’s likely the white eyes, which adds a depth of mystery and overall intensity that mirrors those beloved comics. Or, it’s the graffiti “gimmick”; not only does it look hella cool, but it connects this book back to some serious ’90s energies. Not that we need an excuse for more TMNT, but it’s good to see some creativity applied to this version to help bring in even the most stubborn of shell-heads.

Dungeons & Dragons: The Fallbacks #1

Cover by Marguerite Sauvage

Let it be known that, as D&D has experienced something of a renaissance in recent years, I’m super jacked for all of you. But having only the slightest interest in the cross-media cultural phenomenon (I played one “game” that took six hours and accomplished nothing), I’m going to sit this one out. Still, ample love to this Marguerite Sauvage variant, which to me captures something about this D&D “resurgence” that feels so exciting and compelling. Like, the sheer diversity of this group; this dang game ought to be for everyone. Or, the mix of fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk, etc. into a multifaceted aesthetic that feels similarly welcoming. Heck, even just the gross monster as a de-facto sidekick/mascot is working really well to bolster things. So, play and/or read on, you giant dweebs, because this feels like peak nerd-dom that we can and should all appreciate.

Yuletide #1

Variant cover by Jo Mi-Gyeong

Not only am I not a big fan of D&D, but I usually abhor the idea of celebrating anything remotely related to Christmas several weeks before even Halloween. But I’ll make a special exception for Yuletide, which explores the “monsters the yuletide holds at bay” courtesy of creators George Northy and Rachele Aragno. But let’s focus on this Jo Mi-Gyeong variant for a sec because it’s really nailing this entire motif and then some. Because I’ve always felt like Xmas was a bit too specifically pagan in nature, and I’m glad to see it go full on with skeleton monsters and stoic warriors. But we can never forget the silly nature of this whole affair, and those tiny fellas really warm my heart. What we have, then, is Xmas by way of Halloween, or Halloween made cheery — basically, The Nightmare before Christmas if it felt like a deeper, darker Germanic folktale. If this is the vibe of the festivities, let’s start the dang celebration in July.

Terrorbytes #1

Cover by Juan Doe

I don’t know about you, but living in the future sucks giant eggs. AI is taking our jobs instead of letting us run around naked and free, and we seem to be facing this unique challenge by ::checks notes:: turning away from one another with increasing intensity. That’s why I really appreciate Juan Does’ cover to Terrorbytes #1: If we’re really going to delve into a new kind of speculative fiction, it makes sense to start with this spot on death of humanity. It’s a cover that seems like it’s five-ish years away from being a reality, and that fills me with a deep dread. Even the robots sending us off can’t even muster a darn smile. At the same time, I get this is also a deeply funny image — not just for its tone and spot-on satirical message, but that we think we’d actually be buried and not, like, tossed in a giant ditch or something. Hope springs eternal, I guess, and this reflects back how doomed we are and how maybe we can fight back through proper satire. I’m laughing, I’m crying, and I’m hoping my coffin won’t bankrupt my great, great grandkids.

The Incredible Hulk #30

Variant cover by Chrissie Zullo

Yes, this issue features the return of Abomination. And it’s also touted as featuring the “biggest status quo change in Hulk’s history.” But can we instead talk about another banger Muppets-staring variant cover?! Because this one somehow outdoes the “Rowlf as Venom” cover from two weeks ago. Sure, even if one is green and the other isn’t, I wouldn’t necessarily say that Beaker would turn into Bunsen Honeydew. (I assume years of saying “meep” is just censoring the awful, monstrous things coming out of that fiend’s mouth.) But I love what it says about their dynamic relationship, and that maybe it’s a little codependent and ugly even if it’s also works for them. (Mirroring the actual relationship between Hulk and Bruce Banner, sorta.) Plus, getting the chance to type “Shredded Bunsen Honeydew” is a thing I didn’t know I’d get to experience, and ain’t life just a wondrous present waiting to be unfurled? Oh, maybe the status change is Bunsen and Beaker are the new Hulk?!

Craniacs #1

Cover(s) by Joe Simko

I didn’t know Craniacs existed until I started assembling this week’s edition of Judging by the Cover. Apparently, artist Joe Simko also created Garbage Pail Kids, which is another thing I’m aware of but don’t necessarily feel such a profound connection. (I had a bunch of cards as a kid, and they might’ve made my mom uncomfortable, so seems like a win?) Mostly, I picked it for this “turn & flip” cover featuring the “wild and stone age” RETROVIA and the “systematic and ultra-futuristic” FUTERRA. The gimmick alone speaks volumes about our relationship with nostalgia, the nature of memory, how we experience time, and even ideas of change and remorse. I get that such profound musings seem like an odd gift from silly mutant trading cards, but if I’ve taken anything away from the aforementioned GPK, it’s that you can have something deeper hidden under a grimy, silly exterior. Plus, I just want to buy this and flip back and forth between the covers like a g-d toddler.

Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #44

Cover by Dan Mora

Speaking of covers that raise certain questions of the reader, Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #44 feels like it’s doing its level best to poke us firmly in the brain. Like, does Robin specifically have a dune buggy on hand at all times, and would it be savvier just to have one all-purpose ground vehicle? From there, why exactly are they driving in the first place — does it have to do with one of the last times the pair flew together and how tangibly awkward it felt for all parties involved? And doesn’t Robin have some kind of super GPS to use instead of a map? I get that these questions sort of neuter the deliberately kitschy/cheesy qualities that have defined this deeply nostalgic book from day one. However, I’d like to think my own geekery is indicative of my connection to this series, and how I’m also along for the wild and twisting ride that this book takes every single month. I’d probably take a Greyhound instead, but the point is I’d follow this book anywhere given how it engages its readers. Bon voyage, kids!