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 begin out spotlight on this year’s Eisner nominees. Over the next two months, we’ll look at some of the best covers these nominees have done because as we’ve mentioned again and again, cover art is important. In this first part, we’ll look at the work of Sana Takeda and Sean Phillips with more focus on their work in 2016.
Sean Phillps
Kill Or Be Killed #7
The impact and real decision making that goes into violent acts comes through this cover and makes me interested to learn more about this woman.
Fatale #1
“Fatale” lived a good, long life and it started with this gorgeous cover by Phillips. This is some of my favorite work he’s ever done so I had to show the series some love here.
Criminal 10th Anniversary
Phillips revisits some of his greatest work with this striking anniversary cover.
Kill Or Be Killed #4
This series deals with violence in a fairly emotional way so this cover for the fourth issue is kind of breathtaking in how raw it is.
Criminal 10th Anniversary Magazine
These have become a very special thing that only Phillips can do and one of the most sought after variants in recent years. Phillips’ work is constantly retro but with such a wonderful, modern understanding. This is my favorite thing he did in 2016 by far.
Sana Takeda
Monstress #6
Takeda is nominated in particular for her work on “Monstress” and it’s really amazing what she does in her covers. While many ongoings opt for less in their covers (not necessarily less quality) as the series go on, Takeda goes bigger. She creates this gorgeously detailed, fantasy covers that you absolutely can’t pass when you see it on a shelf. This one in particular is my favorite from the entire series so far. It’s peak “Monstress” for me.
Monstress #3
This cover is a bit different from many other “Monstress” covers cause it’s a little bit more whimsical. Still amazingly detailed but with a different flair.
Legendary Star Lord #10
I didn’t read any of this series but if had looked like this, I would have been all over it. This is an amazing variant that has action and a truly cosmic feel about it.
Monstress #4
Once again, Takeda’s attention to detail is incredible but what makes this cover special is the way the colors change as you go down the cover. The fade to black is *chef kiss emoji*
X-Men ’92 #3
This is a bit older but still very much worth mentioning. This cover for the “Secret Wars” miniseries shows off a different side of Takeda’s work. This is sexier and more playful and an X-Men universe I’d like to visit.
What are some of your favorite covers by Takeda and Phillips? Let me know in the comments below and come back next month for the second part of our spotlight.
