We’re back with another week in the best of comic covers. Some huge names this week – who took the top spot? You can find out below.
Marvel Zombies: Halloween #1
Art by Francesco Francavilla
Sometimes, a cover is amazing because it’s something unlike I’ve ever seen, or it leaps off the rack because of its dynamic colors or design. Sometimes the artist uses white space in a way that makes the whole thing pop, and basically shouts at me “BUY THIS COMIC!”
Other times? It’s an ace like Francesco Francavilla drawing zombie Daredevil, Black Panther and Luke Cage rolling around with pumpkin candy buckets filled with BRAIIINNNSSS. As a firm believer of the life rule, KISS (keep it simple stupid), Francavilla crushed it. But come on guys, he’s one of the best anyways.
Hawkeye #3
Art by Dave Aja
I love the simple yet genius cover designs Aja has been giving us on this book. The way he combines the bow/arrow design elements with the inner silhouettes of Clint Barton and Kate Bishop is genius, especially with the way the white space highlights it all. It’s another idea that shows that sometimes simplicity rules. Bonus points for the well placed title, as well as the just awesome design of it. I’m not sure if it was Aja or someone else, but I love the look of it.
BPRD 1948 #1
Art by Dave Johnson
How intense is this cover? Dave Johnson, as you may have noticed me mention before, is the man, and someone who really brings the best out of each and every cover he does. This cover is genius in the way it tells the story of the interior pages in a simple but elegant way, while just creating a badass look with floating Varvara (VARVARA!!!), the nuke going off behind her, and the approaching Ogdru Hem. Johnson crates some outrageously great covers, and while this isn’t in his top ten for the year by any means, it is a damn good one.
The Activity #9
Art by Mitch Gerads
Oh shit. A Mitch Gerads appearance. He’s probably going to think I’m creeping on him again, but I just have to say: The Activity is up there for title with the most consistently great covers. As per usual, it just comes down to design. I love the way the silence pistol splits the cover. I love the titling and the design elements below it. And, in true Gerads fashion, the work above the pistol is just incredibly awesome. There is so much energy in that small piece you can practically feel the intensity of what is going to transpire in the comic. Sadly, The Activity is not a comic I read, but every month the covers are something that make me really want to.
The Walking Dead #103
Art by Charlie Adlard
To keep the KISS theme going for this week, man, this is an exercise in simplistic genius. It’s just Negan, Lucille and Rick getting acquainted with a shadow stemming from them, but the power to it is palpable. As you may know, Charlie Adlard is one of the fastest artists around, and I think one of the keys to his quickness is the economic decisions he makes. He doesn’t make any extra moves – he just does what he needs to. He could have filled the page with way, way more content, but the cover was optimally taken up by just the two figures and their shadows. It made the whole design pop, and is honestly one of the best Walking Dead covers I’ve come across in some time.
