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. For this month’s special edition, I’m looking at some of my very favorite Nicola Scott covers. Scott is known for her fantastic interior work but she’s also done some wonderful covers for those books.
“Convergence: New Teen Titans” #1 by Nicola Scott
One of the things I’ve always liked about Scott’s work, especially her DC work, is that she brings joy to the characters at any chance she gets. She has a fun way of bringing them all to life and this cover is a great example of that. It’s all these characters in their iconic looks looking happy and that was something that was hard to find from DC for a little while.
“Secret Six” #3 by Nicola Scott
Look at these garbage eaters. I love them and always will. Scott’s work on “Secret Six” is iconic in its own right and there were some really great covers in that series and this is one of them.
“Wonder Woman” #6 by Nicola Scott
Wonder Woman is a princess and so, like any good princess, the animals love her. These are the rules. I don’t make them. This is adorable and anyone who hates it takes their comics far too seriously.
“Wonder Woman ’77 Special” #2 by Nicola Scott
Usually drawn images that are really close in likeness aren’t entirely my jam but I absolutely love this cover. The 1977 Wonder Woman series is one of my favorite things ever made and Lynda Carter had an energy that no one has ever matched. This cover nails that without going into the uncanny valley.
“Black Magick” #3 by Nicola Scott
“Black Magick” is some of Scott’s strongest work ever and I really like this cover because of the color work. It uses the penciling with purple in such a cool and darkly magical way that really sells you on the series itself.
“Black Magick” #6 by Nicola Scott
Like the cover above it, my eyes go right to the color work. This use of blue is somber and reflective and very different from what Scott usually delivers and that’s part of what makes it so great. It’s a very emotional piece of art and I love that.
“The Wicked + The Divine” #26 by Nicola Scott
Sahkmet and Persphone looking hot and ready for trouble. It’s perfection.
“Mera: Queen of Atlantis” #1 by Nicola Scott
Mera is a character who a lot of people will probably be super into very soon. She’s strong, a queen and when Nicola Scott draws her, you can’t look away.
