Most comic book fans have a solid idea of what they buy each week when they go to their local comic book store. That said, there’s still a lot of fun to be had in skimming through the week’s new releases and trying out books that look promising, interesting, or scary. That’s where the cover comes in. Great images make a difference. You can either try something new or you can say, “No, I’m not going to do it this week.”
In that spirit, we present the covers that caught our attention this week, along with an entry by comics editor Chris Coplan. This can be determined by the cover.
Universal Monsters: Frankenstein #4
Cover by Michael Walsh
Indeed, a comic book series was not needed to convey the content of Frankenstein. (Or one of the core things this story focuses on, as it really explores the treasure trove of ideas surrounding existentialism, religion, modern science, feminism, etc.) As if he had completed a truly great journey, writer and artist Michael Walsh said: He leans into the source material in a way that reveals the spaces, ideas, and understandings of the news while also keeping things firmly in the story. Yes, the whole idea of ”who is the monster” between Dr. Frankenstein and his creations is generally old in that regard, but how does he fit into this central idea metaphor? You have to give it to Walsh in terms of how he approaches and portrays it. First, it puts the blame on the “good” doctor, and the idea that he’s facilitating a lot of this really speaks to the idea of inherent innocence and original sin. Or, if that’s not your bag, ideas about early childhood development and how “monsters” are just receptacles for the teachings and insights of previous generations, and what that says about society today. You can also focus on what the story is about. But maybe you just think it’s a really dope image and that’s cool too. Because Walsh has adapted this story in a way that there are so many layers to explore as you see fit, and Frankenstein is this larger thought experiment that does whatever you want. Because it can become. However, the only thing it can’t do is be a few issues longer. ::Sad face emoji::
Nightwing #120
Variant cover by Dan Panosian
I certainly think Dan Watters, Dexter Soy, and their entire team got off to a great start with Nightwing #119. The overall story, in which Nightwing is targeted while searching for a deadly experimental weapon in Bludhaven, is a shift from the wild, layered story created by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo in their long-running operation. That’s a great way to do it. However, it would be remiss of me not to say that I was still a little hesitant. That run with Taylor and Redondo is truly amazing in my mind, and it’s an epic, multi-layered story that masterfully captures the essence of Dick Grayson (a man and a hero) and will probably be around for years to come (it (if not more) it will define its character. That’s why I especially like this variation of Dan Panosian’s Nightwing #120. It reminds me that Dick has been doing some pretty bad things in recent years. And it’s easy to see everything he’s been through and how it shaped him into who he is now in canon. At the same time, this journey may seem impossible (does this pattern mean he completed a lot of flips in sequence or something?), but when flying through the air, he Best/Happiest. Things change, but remain faithfully the same. Nightwing is at his best when he’s solving everything on the fly.
Mystique #2
Cover by Declan Shalvey
And speaking of great debuts in recent months, writer/artist Declan Shalvey did a great job with Mystique #1. While she may not be all that genius to some people, Raven is perfectly suited to be the star of her own spy story, especially when it involves both Nick Fury and the Brotherhood of Evil. A dynamic story. Issue #2 revolves around Raven meeting up with her former BoE allies/friends and continuing to navigate this conspiracy. Based on Shalvey’s own cover, we can already tell it’s Avalanche. This is supposed to be some major action in this little espionage operation, but there’s a lot to this cover that I really like, even if it’s not obvious. First, dual wielding while escaping a giant avalanche is a very clever little party trick. Especially because I think Raven’s form alone is very spot on. I also think that the whole “gimmick” of this work tells us something about Chalvey’s essence. The devil is in the details, yes, but he also has a way of balancing comic book fun, decent action, and character and story development. It comes in such a perfect little package. If you’re going to make Raven a globe-trotting spy, I can’t think of a way to make the most of that basic premise.
Welcome to Maynard #1
Variant cover by Fabio Moon
I don’t know if you’ve stayed at a hotel recently, but I’m curious. The last room I stayed in had a single bed and faced some huge air vents. It’s definitely not at all like the hotel in Welcome to the Maynard, where “magic resides in the veins of every guest and staff member.” And it’s Philippa (Pip) Dale, “the hotel’s new bellhop (and trainee house detective)” who introduces us to this magical hotel (it’s supposed to be a motel, because it rhymes). If you want to know what Pip’s first day will be like, take a peek at this Fabio Moon variant cover. It’s one of those “the longer you look at it, the weirder and scarier it gets” kind of gimmick. For example, why do dragons look like snakes, and why is that somehow more disturbing? Did someone bring an octopus in their luggage? Does the octopus have to pay for his room? Is this hotel stuck in the ’40s, or does the bellhop’s uniform choice have another meaning? And finally, why does this entire cover feature basically a thief dressed in black? Who cares most?! Of course, it’s not a Marriott suite, but I’d still like to stay at the Maynard for a night or two. Still, I wonder how wake-up calls work in magical hotels.
Green Hornet / Miss Fury #1
Variant cover by Jay Lee and June Chong
I’m in the boat that 1) I don’t know who Miss Fury is and 2) her connection to the Green Hornet has something to do with that awful Seth Rogen movie. But if anyone could “rehabilitate” one and introduce the other to a wider audience, it would be the team of Alex Segura and Federico Soressa. And what an introduction that might be, since the solicitation promises that the two will track down the murderer of their surprising common mentor, Professor Javier Mercado. And while Jae Lei and June Chong’s alternate cover is probably not a “proper” preview of what will likely be a sexy, action-packed murder mystery, this cover does give some tent poles to this story. I hope to illustrate. More people should fight sexy while falling off buildings, like a bold and powerful sense of action. Alternatively, a combination of old school and new school would suit the pace and tone of this story quite well. Look, I would consider this whole undertaking a huge success, even if the story itself only promised an update to Hornet’s costume. So whatever the relationship is with these characters, I think one thing is already clear. That said, being eco-friendly and/or wearing patent leather couldn’t be easier.
Falling in love on the road to hell #6
Cover by Gary Brown
As I mentioned in a recent Q&A with author Jerry Duggan, my favorite part of Falling in Love on the Road to Hell is the slow burn. (And I’m glad Duggan gave us some decent insight into that side of the story.) But after a deliberate and committed build-up between McCraith and Asami, it’s hard to see the two of them in the finale. coalesce into After having frozen before our eyes, we’re talking about “at the big moment.” It means to “avoid the worship of the warriors who worship”. But looking at the cover by series artist Garry Brown, you might expect this romance to be a harbinger of great doom. Or if you fall in love in a place that’s basically hell/purgatory, nothing good will last. But the way I see it, if you can fall in love nonetheless and seal the deal in the Dead Warrior’s Cave, then your pair should probably last a long time. But at least it’s nice to see the two share some joy before this story inevitably slips the knife in again. More books should give us these kinds of moments, and FILOTPTH will happily and wholeheartedly do so. rich humanity. Also, a new story idea: The Devil’s Skeleton in Love.
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1
Variant cover by Dan Hipp
I think some people are a little annoyed by Black Canary: Best of the Best. Maybe you’re no longer interested in Tom King, or maybe (for whatever reason) you just don’t care for the Black Canary series. And all or some of those feelings are completely valid, but I look at it like this: This is a battle royale between Canary and Lady Shiva, and we’re all sweet, You’re sure to get some great character studies along with some sweet martial arts action. And if nothing else, this series at least gave us this really great Dan Hipp variant cover. There’s a lot to love here. The fact that she was drinking honey and lemon for her voice (this is an obvious but important moment and probably informs the scope of this story to some extent). That she wears her love for Olly on her sleeves (er, boots?). Given their relationship, she’ll have Babs mug IRL. And Batman Honey also exists in the DCU. But the most distinctive feature of this insight is the canary’s face. He has a sad yet kind expression, as if he is determined to fight to the best of his ability even if there are great difficulties and obstacles. That singular moment is why we tell these stories, and what I hope this book accomplishes, even in the most tertiary of ways.
West Coast Avengers #1
Cover by Ben Harvey
That’s a lie. Honestly, for half a second I thought this was an Alex Ross cover. If you were to tell the story of Iron Man and War Machine assembling the new West Coast Avengers, who else would you cast? Including “villains seeking a path to redemption.” But Ben Harvey is very much his own artist, and while this cover has a certain Roth-esque depth and charm, there are other aspects that make the song stand out in its own right. First, he clearly captures the overall energy and vibe of the West Coast. It’s as if the sun rules the entire world, and such emotional intent and tone are perfect for making this team stand out. (WCA, at least to me, has always meant more playful team dynamics and story arcs.) From there, we get some really great character designs. The classic Iron Man with giant abs is a great touch, and I love the lively intensity in Firestar’s, uh, fire trails. Even Ultron-12’s manic face captures the slightly playful yet completely serious vibe of this story, giving us a story that manages to highlight/touch on all the best parts of the great Avengers story. It expresses how you want it. But seriously, just look at Iron Man’s abs for just one more minute.
Black before red #3
Cover by Goran Suduka
One minute has passed since the last issue of Red Before Black. In fact, it’s been about two and a half months since the second chapter of this “violent, hyperdynamic, female-driven crime thriller reminiscent of 2000’s Vertigo” was released. I’ve regularly talked about how damaging these gaps can be (even if they’re just an unintended side effect of the monthly publication cycle). But following the fortunes of Red Before Black, series/cover artist Goran Suduka is back with a roar, so to speak, with a particularly strong cover. The previous two covers (Sudžuka was joined by colorist Ive Svorcina) were more sophisticated and stylized, emphasizing the book’s layers, sexuality, and overall power. But the cover choice is more than perfect, as this latest issue sees Val “succumbing to a new hallucinatory PTSD experience.” It looks like it was scribbled on the cover of a pulp novel. All these red lines add pure intensity to Val’s already intense depiction of the aforementioned spiral. So I get the feeling that she’s slipping away, or like she’s in a fierce battle. In any case, we are drawn into this moment with all our emotions and suffering. Even if we have to wait two more months for issue #4, this book is just getting started and this cover proves to be worth it.
