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 week, we’re looking at some of best couples that comic books has to offer.
Batman #14 by Stephanie Hans
Catwoman and Batman are my Gotham City OTP and I will die on this hill. They should not work and often times they don’t but I think she has always brought out something in Batman that he never allows himself. She’s not from his world and with her, he gets to be a person who makes mistakes but he gets to actually feel something other than sadness and angst. Stephanie Hans cover feels like the cover for a gothic Harlequin novel and I’m super into that.
Angela: Queen of Hel #7 by Stephanie Hans
Angela and Sera are one of my favorite new couples in comics in a very long time. Angela was a character that had a long legal battle and when she mad her entrance into the Marvel Universe, she was put to good use. When she was paired with Sera, one of Marvel’s most romantic storylines began and it had the most perfect ending until they went and ruined it. I am always mad about this but looking at Stephanie Hans’s interiors and covers for the series makes me happy. Look how happy they are. They’re together and ready to live together and get their happily ever after. I like to believe this is their real ending.
Astonishing X-Men #51 by Marko Djurdjevic
Northstar and his now husband Kyle made a big splash when they got married. It was the first same sex marriage that Marvel had published and it got a ton of mainstream attention. There were two covers for this issue but this one is my favorite because they’re almost kissing and it feels more romantic than the main cover. They’re happy and together and honestly that’s the last we heard of them. They’re still married as far as I know but they aren’t featured in any series right now but given Marvel’s track record, that’s probably for the best.
Saga #15 by Fiona Staples
One of my biggest vices are trashy romance novels. They are cliched but I love them regardless. “Saga” is very close to fifty issues and this still sits in my brain as one of my favorites. Alana and Marko are a couple that aren’t even supposed to be together but they’ve held on through so much tragedy and drama. This cover, with them homaging a cover from a book that exists in the Saga Universe. Staples gives us erotica with a “Saga” twist thanks to the use of the super bright pink.
Midnighter and Apollo #1 by ACO & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
My favorite murder husbands (or boyfriends. They’ll always be married to me) get a spot in this year’s edition. This cover isn’t the most romantic but they look ready for a fight which really is a good callback to when they first debuted. They’re not simply Superman and Batman knockoffs. They’re vicious fighters and this cover looks like that’s exactly what they’re looking for.
Mister Miracle #5 by Mitch Gerads
I’ve been in love with this cover since it came out and this just gave me another excuse to use it. I love any art of Barda and Scott that embraces their physical differences and this does that in the sweetest, cutest sense. Barda and Scott are a classic comic book romance that has withstood time and Darkseid.
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Quantum Teens Are Go #1 by Eryk Donovan
Like “Midnighter and Apollo” #1, this cover isn’t necessarily romantic but it does feature the two leads getting ready to deliver a science beat down on some bad guys. Nat and Sumesh are an adorable and relatable young couple. In the story, they’re both chasing a dream and they get mixed up in something way bigger than them that tests their bond and puts them in a ton of danger. This cover is bright, inviting and Donovan’s designs are so good that you’ve got to get this and find out what their story is.
Superman: The Wedding Album by John Byrne
You can’t talk about comic book romances without talking about the big one: Lois Lane and Superman. In comics, in movies, in tv and in cartoons, they have always found their way to each other. They are the real OTP and it was hard to pick just one good cover. I went with Byrne’s wedding day cover because they’re just so happy and it is a homage to the classic image of Superman catching a falling Lois Lane. It’s cute and it’s so happy and positive.
