Cover Fire 9/20/2023

The Most Fire Cover From This Wednesday’s Releases
9/20/2023
NO INCENTIVE VARIANTS OR STORE EXCLUSIVE VARIANTS ARE COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE. THIS FEATURE IS ABOUT COVER AESTHETICS, ONLY, AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SPEC.
HOWEVER… For this week’s INCENTIVES and EXCLUSIVES needs, check out the weekly “COVER LOVERS” podcast with TEAM NERD HERD and me, RIGHT NOW!

Weekly Rundown…
Welcome back to another fun-filled week of covers, ladies and gents! This week is better than last, so I hope you saved your $$$ last week for use on this week’s drop. Here are a few notes before we rock and I warn “sensitive” readers that my notes are not kind this time (luckily, there are plenty of great covers for me to be positive about, though)…

I just cannot get behind an artist taking a thing that another artist is famous for. Sorry Rose Besch… no baby covers will be featured in this article unless they’re by Skottie.
I almost Nakayama’s Catwoman cover this week… almost.
Cho’s Red Sonja cover looks like every other Red Sonja cover he’s ever done. Yawn.
Thank goodness for DC and Dynamite this week, otherwise we might not even have a list.
Since when does having the ability to open the Photoshop program qualify you to be a cover artist? So many phoned in digital covers these days. Yuck!
Marvel covers have become largely uninspiring.
I almost like Tim Seeley’s Money Shot cover… almost.

And this week’s winner is…
A TIE!!!
(It had to be)

Red Sonja #3a and #3d
PUBLISHED: Dynamite – 9/20/23
ARTIST: Joshua Middleton & Lucio Parrillo
Okay, okay… I know I’m THE Red Sonja homer, but, but, BUT WOW!!! This cover is abso’fing-lutely stunning! Middleton’s ability continues to astound me and his use of texture, lighting and tone set him so far apart from most artists that it’s almost unfair. This was the clear winner for me.
As for the Parrillo, I am just going to come out and say it… this his best Red Sonja cover, ever. Yep. And that is saying something from considering Parrillo has a slew of amazing ones and he is the go-to guy for Redx Sonja, Vampi, etc. This is art gallery, classic-level art which transcends our comic medium. It does not overly sexify her, but man does he make her gorgeous and ethereal.
I cannot wait to own these.
*****
RUNNERS UP
*****

Hawkgirl #3c
PUBLISHED: DC – 9/19/23
ARTIST: Pablo “Lobos” Villalobos
Basically, Lobos crushed this entire run of Hispanic Heritage covers, but this is by far the best. It is the sexiest one, sure, but that’s not why it’s the best. It just feels like he spent the most time on this one and paid attention to detail and line. Thus, it is the best composition of the lot. Also, the colors are great.
 

Wonder Woman #1b
PUBLISHED: DC – 9/19/23
ARTIST: Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
A few of the recent Artgerms have been meh to me, but this one is stunning. I love that the bullets are so effortlessly being deflected. It’s strong, sexy and while it is the standard Artgerm “bust,” at least something is happening in it.
*****
STIFF COMPETITION
*****

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #1d
PUBLISHED: DC – 9/19/23
ARTIST: David Finch
Not only is it refreshing to see David Finch on covers, but this one shows off his ability to use intricate linework to create grit and emotion. While there are aspects of the composition I could do without like the mouth wrinkles, for instance (which is partly why it didn’t win), the overall effect is stunning and Finch in fine form.
 

Victory #4a
PUBLISHED: Dynamite – 9/20/23
ARTIST: Lucio Parrillo
Well, this week is an embarrassment of riches from Lucio. This cover might have been the winner if it hadn’t had that weird treatment and border done to it. Incredibly alluring and suggestive, yet somehow in a classy way. Bravissimo, Paisano.
 

Star Wars: Dark Droids – D-Squad #1d
PUBLISHED: DC – 9/19/23
ARTIST: Tom Reilly
This has an incredible aesthetic and is, as I’ve said before, proof that simpler is so often better. This has movement, drama, amazing layout, and is incredibly compelling. That is hard to do with a character that has been on hundreds of covers and posters.
*****
WORTH A 2nd LOOK
*****

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham (Noir Edition) #1 – Rafael Grampa – DC – 9/19/23

I know that it was the ashcan art and is also on a regular cover in its original form, but this “Noir” version is so much cooler. I wonder if the guts are redone like this, as well. Hope so!


Green Lantern: War Journal #1b – John Giang – DC – 9/19/23

Even though this appears to be a Punisher direct rip-off (including the title), this are is so detailed and cool, I couldn’t ignore it. I do love Giang’s art, so this might not be for you at all.


Green Lantern: War Journal #1d – Pablo “Lobos” Villalobos – DC – 9/19/23

This isn’t the best of his Hispanic Heritage covers (in my opinion, the Hawkgirl is… see above), but it is still excellent. Lobos’ star is definitely rising and I like that he’s breaking away from his Hughes look-alike syndrome.


Superman #6b – Lee Bermejo – DC – 9/19/23

Jon Hamm as Superman. Cool! (Ha!). This one may be a little overworked, but I still love it. Bermejo is a master.


Wonder Woman #1c – Julian Totino Tedesco – DC – 9/19/23

I want to love this cover, I really do, but it is just SO silly. Tough for me to get behind that for WW.


Captain America #1g – Olivier Coipel – Marvel – 9/20/23

Really the best regular cover Marvel has to offer this week (other than the R2-D2 cover, above) and it is a good one, but not great. Difficult not to focus below the belt on this one though, right?! That IS America’s… well, you know.


Chilling Adventures Presents Madam Satan: Hell on Earth #1b – Soo Lee – Archie – 9/20/23

Man, I love Soo Lee! Her Maleficent covers are excellent, but this is even more incredible. It has all the things I like about Hack’s covers mixed with a softer approach.


Fantasy Comics #5 – Rod Espinoza – Antarctic – 9/20/23

A little too smooth, but the detail is astounding… and it’s a dragon.


Frank Miller’s Ronin: Book II #1a – Philip Tan & Daniel Henriques – Frank Miller – 9/20/23

With Marvel money-grabbing at Frank Miller’s legacy, lately, it’s awfully nice to see Miller himself getting some quality stuff in our hands, this is a really pretty cover.

*****
It was a lot this week and I was REALLY picky, but I hope you like my choices. There were lots of good-not-great covers I left off the list, so I’m sure I left a few off that you liked. Let me know what I missed down in the comments. Until next time, stay cool, be good to each other, thanks for reading and happy hunting.


 
*****
NOTE: All products, pictures, names, descriptions and logos are property of their respective copyright and trademark holders. No items are listed for sale. All information is for educational purposes, only.
*****
 
 

 
 
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