They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. While that might be true for prose, it’s not entirely true for comic books. Comic books are a visual medium and more times than not, it’s the art that draws you in. With so many comic books coming out these days, a cover that stands out from everything else on a wall of new releases can determine how well it sells. I know that I’ve picked up new titles solely based on the cover.
It is with that in mind that we bring you Face Value, a column where we will be looking at the best covers in comics, both new and old, every two weeks. This month, I continue my artist spotlights with a look at some of the very best covers by artist Jenny Frison. Frison is probably most known right now for her amazing work on “Wonder Woman” but she’s been around for a while now, doing work at ever major publisher and doing all the covers on the Tim Seeley and Mike Norton series “Revival.” She’s a personal favorite of mine and I’m almost guaranteed to buy anything that features her work.
Revival #31 by Jenny Frison
If this isn’t the most goth, satanic cover then I don’t know what is. It’s terrifying and also gorgeous, which is basically what “Revival” was.
Revival #5 by Jenny Frison
And then we have this, absolute body horror because Frison is capable of doing literally everything. My favorite thing about the covers she did on “Revival” is how she captured this amazing light in the creatures.
Revival #41 by Jenny Frison
Creepy kids are creepy. Creepy kids with disfigured, lanky monsters behind them are even creepier. Get where I’m going with this? It’s creepy.
Vampirella #2 (2014) by Jenny Frison
There is basically one way that men draw Vampirella. Bent over or bent back in some really gross position that makes no anatomical sense, showing off her entire body. Vampirella is a vampire. No one ever draws her on covers that way. In comes Jenny Frison with a cover that absolutely makes me want to read her Vampirella. This is bloody and sexy and I love it.
Phoenix Resurrection: The Return of Jean Grey #1 by Jenny Frison
She is fire, she is the definition of rebirth and she’s also alive again. I somehow missed this when this series was coming out and I’m a little mad about it. This is breathtaking.
Clean Room #1 by Jenny Frison
Sometimes, series get certain images that are forever tied to them. This is one of them. This was the first image we were shown for “Clean Room” and I saw it on banners and posters at multiple cons, websites and stores. It’s really creepy but what does it for me is the horror in the eyes. This is sinister and we’re going to find out why.
Red Sonja #10 by Jenny Frison
Like Vampirella, Red Sonja is a character that men tend to draw badly. The first work I actually ever saw of Frison’s was her “Red Sonja” covers and it’s what made me buy the series in the first place. This costume is a tough sell but what Frison does here is give her muscular tone and a pose that doesn’t say male gaze. It’s powerful and even if you hate the costume, you can’t argue that this cover is an attempt at something completely different for the character.
Wonder Woman #17 by Jenny Frison
Right now, Frison has been on a streak with “Wonder Woman” but this one is a personal favorite of mine. I like the transformation angle and I like that it pays homage to the Lynda Carter show. It’s also much brighter than her other “Wonder Woman” covers which is one of my biggest nit picks with this series in recent months. It’s too dark.
Black Magick #8 by Jenny Frison
I haven’t read “Black Magick” yet but this absolutely makes me want to. This character is doing magic but also looks like Joan Jett and I now have a crush on her. Great cover.
