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 spotlight by taking a look at some of the work of Becky Cloonan.
“The Kitchen” #5 by Becky Cloonan
I loved “The Kitchen” and I’m really excited for the movie adaptation but nothing that movie does will capture the absolute boss chick attitude of this cover. I love it. White is kind of a hard color to work with but Cloonan kills it. It’s so good.
“The Wicked + The Divine” #5 by Becky Cloonan
I’m not in love with the yellow background but I’ve always liked this cover because of Cloonan’s Morrigan and Baphomet. It’s pure goth goodness and I would love for her to get in a one shot with these characters before the series wraps up.
“Southern Cross” #7 by Becky Cloonan
I haven’t read anything past the first trade of this series but one of the things I think Cloonan does really well as an artist is get her characters to stare into your soul. I’m here for that. Stare into my soul.
“Southern Cross” #3 by Becky Cloonan
This cover also features someone with a beautiful stare but in a very different way. This cover is more sci fi than gothic horror and the placement of the shapes and the point your eyes are drawn to make for a beautiful, dizzying image.
“Shade, The Changing Woman” #1 by Becky Cloonan
This is my favorite cover Cloonan did for the “Shade” series because it feels so lost and hazy. If I knew nothing about this series, I would need to know about this character. I would need her story immediately.
“The Punisher” #3 by Becky Cloonan
The Punisher, all bloody, coming out of the woods with WOLVES. I don’t think I need to say more than that.
“By Chance or Providence” by Becky Cloonan
This is so sexy and sensual and I seriously ordered a copy off Amazon while I was researching covers. That’s how you do it.
“Demo: The Waking Life of Angels” by Becky Cloonan
This was actually the first Becky Cloonan cover I ever saw way back when I was still working at a comic shop. I remember being super into this style and it led me to buy “Demo” and I never looked back.
