Most comic book fans have solid ideas about what to buy each week when they come down to their local comic store. That being said, there’s still plenty to be enjoyed just by watching this week’s new release and taking the opportunity with a book that looks promising, entertaining, and scary. That’s where the cover comes in. A great image can make the difference between trying something new or saying “not this week.”
In that spirit, here is the cover that caught our attention this week, and an entry from comic editor Chris Coplan. This is determined by the cover.
Batman #1
Cover by Jorge Zimenez
The new Batman #1 is always the cause of celebration. (Even if you have complicated ideas about this kind of “renewal”) that is doubly true when both Matt’s fractions and Jorge Zimenez showcase a brighter and more audacious era, the approach best illustrated on the cover of Zimenez’s own debut issue. It’s a way to overwhelm the eyes as this beacon of Batman, who may be “soft” but may not be as capable. Or the quality of the throwback to suits, and how it connects with blessing/delicacy to past times. Even in ways that you can’t know if it’s the moon or the spotlight (or somehow both?!), the future looks bright to the Dark Knight anyway.
Spider-Man ’94 #1
Cover by Nick Bradshaw
Speaking of the new #1, there’s a lot to be excited about Spider-Man ’94. One gets JM Dematteis. Additionally, the book is kicked out of the animated series directly with a storyline that includes the debuts of two legendary Spidey villains. But in the meantime, we got this incredible Nick Bradshaw debut cover. If anything, there’s a modern, cartoonish update here, and the final result is a rush to offer something new to cut all the nostalgia of the syrup. We guarantee we’re getting more madam webs. This may be the best retro fanatic for quite some time.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #11
Jorge Forne’s cover
You may be most excited by the story of a turtle being accidentally arrested. Or soliciting references to the big lead roles of both Casey Jones and April O’Neill. But most of the time I’ve been jazzed into one of my favorite snapshots for a while. Cover artist Jorge Forne nailed the idea of the brothers as four humor/temperament. For me, TMNT is about sibling connections and tensions, and this cover is a gorgeous encapsulation of the best story of the four of them being themselves and working together to fight the odds. Ultimately, it’s about finding the strength and joy of the confusion of family drama. Well, good, Donnie!
Everything is dead and almost dying #1
Cover by Jacob Phillips
As mentioned in our recent chat, writer Tate Blombar loves the zombie cows he and artist Jacob Phillips created for all the deaths and deaths that died. Based on Phillips’s own cover in #1, it may be possible to tell why he has so much love for this cow’s corpse. For one thing, there’s something oddly adorable about this undead glass giant. Certainly, he can stir the stomach, but there is a simplicity and joy that cannot escape. But I think it works most of the time, as the cow is the perfect symbol of the book’s toxic loyalty theme. It makes as much sense as milking a dead cow. But we are us and love makes us do crazy things. However, it’s not as crazy as drinking zombie milk.
Star Trek: Red Shirt #2
Cover by Chris Shehan
I’m not a Star Trek guy in that I’m as obsessive and knowledgeable as other people, but there’s part of the fandom that I’m happy to embrace. A proper case: a red shirt, a fully replaceable security officer running the Federation (like a giant machine with a severed corpse). But even in their first two issues, Christopher Cantwell and the Company have already shown us a strangely heartfelt, generally humorous world of red shirts. Here there is enough tragedy and laughter to make you feel the full emotional range. In the process, we understand the complexity, absurdity, and obvious humanity that defines the small corners of the Grand Trek universe. Thank you for the service, red shirt #83833.
Texarcanum #2
Cover by Michael Heissler
Texarcanum #1 was really surprised. Christopher Monfette has crafted a story about a gritty, supernatural cop/sheriff/park ranger with real layers, and artist Miguel Martos and colorist Patricio Delpeche have brought it all to life with grit and horror fun. The cover of Michael Heisler Issue #2 is a solid way to build the story even further, whilst amazing more readers. Because at first glance you might just see some bad cowboy walking through the storm. But then, not only does the true nature of the storm emerge, it also raises important questions about where they are, the nature of their solar panel rigs, and what it means to tell a horror story in modern Texalcana. The answer may surprise and please you with equality.
Superman’s Adventures: Elle #1 Book
Variant Cover by Riccardo Federici
Clearly, the main attraction of Elle’s book is Philip Kennedy Johnson’s return to Steel Man (and PKJ’s Reunion with Scott Godlesky following his future condition: Superman: Elle’s House). But don’t sleep for another big reason with this completely sweet Riccardo Federici variant cover. With the story of the soup “sent against his will, where he’s never been before,” the variant balances the old-fashioned, greater romanticism and power of Superman, and the apparently modern strength. The end result is a perfect superman. He is a person who acts as a force of good in a deeply complicated world. (He’s almost swallowed up by the background to scream!) He also gives up on it for the landing of a true superhero who was tested.
Wolverine #13
Martín Cóccolo and Bryan Valenza covers
Did you choose this Martín Cóccolo and Bryan Valenza cover just because you said “Crowfather?” You are Betcha. (But it’s not too Nippic, but “Closed Father” certainly works a little better.) Aside from solid wordplay, I like a lot more about this cover. Logan’s cold and indiscriminate nature. The bullet hole and claw marks combine to demonstrate leadership styles in collaboration (and again, cold-blooded murder). Heck, he was dressed like a weirdo, and/or just wearing a suit after being naked forever. It’s the perfect balance between the influence of the Godfather and the pure comic vibe. This is a cover that I’ve obviously enjoyed when I put Wolverine in a new, increasingly strange environment. Everyone, give it up for Michael Claw Leone.
Me, Tyrant #2
Variant Cover by Ryan Guida
When I tried to clarify in my review of issue #1, I, Tyrant, is not the easiest book to crack. It’s very meta, layered and as narrative as commentary on legacy through creative processes. But if you don’t want to think deeply about it (or you’ll need to ramp up before you actually read Question #2), enjoy the cool bloody art that comes out of this title. This includes this Ryan Guida variant. This variant contains a badass ancient warrior, his bonded, wet-looking monster “friend”, and more blood than gallons of pumpkin spice that flow in this fall season alone. Is there a bigger context for this scene? surely. Do you need to know that? It may prove to be insightful and/or interesting. But is it okay to just enjoy something for one aspect of it (for example, the obvious savage guy)? Ah, yeah!
