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, we look at the very best of August 2018.
“Shade, The Changing Woman” #6 by Becky Cloonan
I had to include this because it’s probably the last time I can talk about the covers for this series. This one is so gentle and earnest and it feels like the coming together of a lot of ideas in the series. Cloonan’s work here is less stylish and more emotional in this final cover and it works so well for me.
“Highest House” #6 by Yuko Shimizu
I’m really sad this series seems to be totally ending but looking at Shimizu’s covers have been a joy. This one sends the series out in a beautiful blaze of glory which is a different tone completely from the first issue.
“The Wicked + The Divine” #38 by Cliff Chiang
Cliff Chiang is one of the very best artists working in comics right now and I’m glad he got a “Wic + Div” cover. This is such a great shot of the Norns and he does a fantastic job at giving them distinct looks and facial expressions. They are one but they still feel unique.
“The Life of Captain Marvel” #2 by Julian Totino Tedesco
I’m basically obsessed with Tedesco’s cover work right now and this very Norman Rockwell-esque cover of Captain Marvel is basically everything.
“West Coast Avengers” #1 by Stefano Caselli
Sometimes a great cover doesn’t need to be a complicated idea but still be incredibly charming. This cover is that. I see this and I need to know what adventures this group of characters is getting up to. It’s charming in the most perfect sense.
Batgirl #25 by Joshua Middleton
I’ve been obsessed with this cover since I saw it in the solicitations. As much as I like Alex Ross, this is the kind of modernity I wish he could capture. Middleton’s Batgirl feels and looks like the girl next door. It’s got the moody Batman colors going for it but the expression on Batgirl’s face is all charm and fun. It’s the perfect snapshot of this character.
“Catwoman Tweety & Sylvester Special” #1 by Sandy Jarrell
I’ve been very lukewarm on these crossover issues but what I do like is when the covers have fun with it. I don’t like the hyper realistic versions of the Looney Tunes characters. Instead, I like something like this. This cover is very silly but it makes me want to read it. I want to read this one shot.
“Bone Parish” #2 by Lee Garbett
“Bone Parish” has so far been my exact kind of horror and this cover by Lee Garbett is honestly perfection to me. The colors, the anguish in the actual smoke. It all clicks and it makes for a good piece of art that’s meant to entice the reader.
