Cover Fire 8/9/2023
The Most Fire Cover From This Wednesday’s Releases
8/9/2023
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, fine folks, to yet another edition of Cover Fire. I don’t know if it’s just me and I’ve been at this too long, but I am seeing less and less that entices me each week from the big companies. So many lifeless digital covers and many others that are really just mediocre.
That said, the Indies are outpacing (and out-arting) everyone. Titan, Opus and Dynamite basically clean up, this week. As such, I had some real issues with parts of this week’s list. I did my best, though, and I hope you dig my choices.
The “Worth a 2nd Look” section is VERY long, this week. Let’s just dive in without any other notes…
And this week’s winner is…
Barbarella: Center Cannot Hold #5b
PUBLISHED: Dynamite – 8/9/23
ARTIST: Celina
Ummmm, yep! No contest, this week. Celina’s unreal detail and her ability to convey anatomy and texture in such a life-like manner are masterful. She is every bit a magician. Keep in mind that this is all done with pastel and charcoal on paper. WOH! Move over digital artists, this is how you REALLY do it. Oh, and did I mention how sexy this is? Did I need to? Ripped skin-tight costume and guns?!?! What else did you want?
*****
RUNNERS UP
*****
Sanjulian’s Queen of the Lost World #2b
PUBLISHED: Opus – 8/9/23
ARTIST: Sanjulian
I don’t know if this is reused art or not, but I’ve never seen it anywhere else. Either way, this is an absolutely exquisite piece from a master of the craft. If it’s like all past Sanjulian art, this is a fully-painted piece which should blow everyone away. My one real gripe with this cover has nothing to do with the art. Why did they have to cram that trade dress on here like that?!?! Hence, it is not the winner.
Vampirella/Dracula: Rage #1a
PUBLISHED: Dynamite – 8/9/23
ARTIST: Lucio Parrillo
Thank goodness for artists like Parrillo (and Celina and Carla Cohen, etc.) who can still create such incredible art using the real media. This is oil paint, folks! Just the emotion in this cover, alone, is worth the $4. I love the dynamics of the hair, too. This one was almost the winner, this week.
Immortal X-Men #14a
PUBLISHED: Marvel – 8/9/23
ARTIST: Mark Brooks
Just when I thought Marvel was going to completely strike out for the week, I saw this cover. Brooks is always great, but doing a Sentinel cover this good and on a regularly-priced issue is a huge gift! Incredible detail, depth and texture on this one. It tells story, has awesome atmosphere and thus sends most other covers to the corner crying.
*****
STIFF COMPETITION
*****
Vampirella/Dracula: Rage #1b
PUBLISHED: Dynamite – 8/9/23
ARTIST: Celina
Dynamite just has everyone’s number, this week. With artists like this doing the covers, I’d challenge anyone to do better. See above for my embarrassingly high praise of Celina. There isn’t a whole lot more to say other than that this is astounding work… again.
Sanjulian’s Queen of the Lost World #2a
PUBLISHED: Opus – 8/9/23
ARTIST: Aliel Olivetti
This is a nice mixture of Sanjulian and Frazetta and as a result, it works perfectly on this book. Not as nice as the Sanjulian, above, but still beautiful.
Conan the Barbarian #1i
PUBLISHED: Titan – 8/9/23
ARTIST: Renato Casaro
One of the greatest movie poster pieces of art, ever, graces this virgin foil which is dropping a week late. Artistically, it deserves a higher slot, but since it is essentially a reprint, I had to place it here.
*****
WORTH A 2nd LOOK
*****
Superman Annual 2023 #1b – Jock – DC – 8/8/23
I like-don’t-love this cover as it is not Jock’s best, but it is compelling and far more interesting than many of this week’s other covers.
Knight Terrors: Green Lantern #2a – Lucio Parrillo – DC – 8/8/23
A fantastic translation of Parrillo’s style onto a DC cover and works fantastically well.
Spider-Man Annual #1b – Gabriele Dell’Otto – Marvel – 8/9/23
Perhaps not Dell’Otto’s best work (frankly, it is reminiscent of his very early art which I rather liked), but it has grit and emotion. That makes up for its other shortcomings.
Maskerade #7b – Kael Ngu – Dark Horse – 8/9/23
The shattered glass thing has definitely been done to death, but not many are done as well as this one.
Knight Terrors #3b – Francesco Mattina – DC – 8/8/23
Not Mattina’s best for this series, but I like that it’s bright. There are a bunch of proportion issues on this one, too. Hence, it is down in this section.
Knight Terrors: Robin #2c – Liam Sharp – DC – 8/8/23
Super creepy and the over-exaggeration on that jaw is over the top. Too bad it’s on a Knight Terrors book and a Robin one to boot.
Knight Terrors: Zatanna #2b – Kendrick Kunkka Lim – DC – 8/8/23
Way too digital for my tastes, but there is some nice layout here and I am a sucker for Zatanna.
Gargoyles: Dark Ages #2b – Alan Quah – Dynamite – 8/9/23
This is fantastic and proof that the right artist on the right book is key. Great detail and contrast, excellent environment and an overall great composition.
Enfield Gang Massacre #1 – Jacob Phillips – Image – 8/9/23
This has the look of the old western pulps and it is done expertly.
Kaya #10b – Andrew MacLean – Image – 8/9/23
If Francavilla and Skottie Young had an art child, it would look like this.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #9b – Mateus Manhanini – Marvel – 8/9/23
Something is a little weird/off with this one, but I like it, nonetheless. Manhanini has great talent.
Gene Simmons’ Dominatrix #2a – Jim Balent – Opus – 8/9/23
A sexy cover and while very similar to the #1, I’m sure this will sell well.
Grimm Fairy Tales Present: Grimm Universe Quarterly #10 (Sleeping Beauty: Nightmare Queen) – Jay Anacleto – Zenescope – 8/9/23
Longest title EVER! Still, a beautiful cover from an artist who continues to go under the radar.
Hard Case Crime: Heat Seeker – A Gun Honey Series #2b – Celina – Titan – 8/9/23
Celina is blowing up the list, this week. This one is almost as good as her other two for the week. Honestly, it this list were just for me, she would take the top three slots.
*****
Yet again, not the strongest week in the world. Thankfully, Conan gets released which really helped. There should be a little something for everyone, though. I again intentionally left off a lot of “meh”, so as usual, I’m positive I missed something you liked. Toss in a comment and let me know what it is that I missed. 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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