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Face Value: The Best Covers of December 2016

By | January 3rd, 2017
Posted in Columns | % Comments

They say you can’t judge a book by it’s 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. In this edition, we’re looking back at the very last comic book releases of 2016 with the best of December.

Giant Days #21 by Lissa Treiman

“Giant Days” finds itself back on this list with good reason. “Giant Days” #21 basically follows the group as they try to find out who robbed them. This cover is great not only because it is beautiful but it really plays with a lot of Susan’s character. She can be very headstrong when she sets her mind to something and she comes from a different background compared to the her friends. She takes her detective game pretty far and this is a perfect noir homage to that. It’s excellent shadow and light work from Treiman who continues to make the most appealing comic book covers in the industry.

The Unworthy Thor #2 (variant) by Kris Anka

I will always and forever be here for Kris Anka drawing handsome men. Thor is still worthy in my eyes.

Shadows On The Grave #1 by Richard Corben

Richard Corben is one of the best artists to ever take on the horror genre. It can be hard to genuinely creep people out through comic books but he excels at it. Look at this cover. This will trigger plenty of phobias while still enticing you to read the comic.

Rockstars #1 by Kim Hutchison

“Rockstars” was one of the more memorable things I read at the end of last year and a lot of that had to do with the time period of music it looked at. I like this cover because aside from the two leads in the center, it feels like a flyer for a psychedelic rock band.

Supergirl: Being Super #1 by Joelle Jones

Supergirl a character who’s unfortunately been the victim of gross, over sexualized art. I think that we have the television series to thank for the comic book art changing a bit because in “Supergirl” the art is far more age appropriate and this cover follows that. This miniseries is focused on Kara’s early days and this cover shows the kind of wonder and confusion that could only come with discovering super powers. Jones draws an age appropriate image here (remember, she’s a minor) and the color work just captures the kind of happiness a Supergirl story should.

Power Man and Iron Fist: Sweet Christmas Annual by Kris Anka

This image kind of captures these two and their relationship in the most perfect way. Danny Rand is kinda a goofball and Luke Cage is a little more reserved than that. They’re a perfect pair because of this and Anka really gets that in just one image. It also reflects how fun this series has been which makes the cover a great teaser for what’s inside.

The X-Files #9 by Menton3

I’m a sucker for covers that use space like this. There isn’t a lot happening here but Mulder looking so small compared to another mysterious mess he’s found himself in is kind of perfect. Often times “The X-Files” covers are just Mulder and Scully looking at the reader but this is a bit more than that. I love the use of green as it was a color so often used in the television series. It’s one of the stronger main covers the series has used.

Continued below

Black Hammer #6 by Dean Ormston

The thing about “Black Hammer” is that each cover has been a completely different thing in every way, shape and form. Each character is kind of based on a specific archetype in the superhero genre and since each issue has focused on one of them, the covers have changed with that. Lemire has done a cover each month but Ormston’s covers are the ones that grab me, especially this one. I love the darkness in it, the placement of these characters and how every single inch of the page is used.

Southern Cross #10 by Becky Cloonan

Becky Cloonan is something else isn’t she? I don’t know if it’s possible for her to draw something bad. Her cover work this past year has been fantastic and “Southern Cross” deserves a little love. This cover is moody and reflects the kind of darkness that exists in this story. It’s a really beautiful cover that looks even better without the title dressing.

Angel City #3 by Megan Levens

I’m a big fan of Megan Levens. Between this series, “Spell on Wheels” and her work on “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, she’s shown that she can do a lot of different things. So often with a story like this, the woman is the damsel in distress. With “Angel City”, the damsel is the detective and it’s helped get us covers like this that are homages to old, 30’s and 40’s detective stories. I love the shadows and I love the glamour.

What were some of your favorite covers in December? Let me know in the comments below!


//TAGS | Face Value

Jess Camacho

Jess is from New Jersey. She loves comic books, pizza, wrestling and the Mets. She can be seen talking comics here and at Geeked Out Nation. Follow her on Twitter @JessCamNJ for the hottest pro wrestling takes.

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