Cover Fire 8/23/2023
The Most Fire Cover From This Wednesday’s Releases
8/23/2023
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 yet another Cover Fire, you crazy collectors! This week, much like last week, is a quicker one than normal. Still, some nice covers worth tracking down. Here are a couple of notes before we dive in:
Picking the winner this week was REALLY difficult. Lots of good covers, but no single one stood out as the clear winner. I hope you like my final choice.
I was really picky this week… again.
Okay, so the neon ink/blacklight effect has already grown old for me.
I actually don’t love Carla Cohen’s Victory cover this time around. A rarity for me from an artist who virtually never misses. The neck is too long or the body is too small… or something. Hmmm.
I am still shaking my head at the Stranger Things and TMNT’s crossover. Sheesh! Anything for a buck.
I don’t love the Rahzzah X-Force Colossus cover this wek, either. I know he has his disciples, but something is way off about it.
The Mighty Barbarians Marco Rudy is almost great, but it’s too confusing and difficult to focus in on what’s actually going on in it.
That’s all for notes. Let’s get to the good stuff…
And this week’s winner is…
Knight Terrors: Angel Breaker #2b
PUBLISHED: DC – 8/22/23
ARTIST: Ivan Tao
Wow! More like this please, Ivan. Creepy and epic and with tons of dynamics. It just gives off a feeling which so many covers lack these days as they have become too static and lifeless. I wish this one weren’t so digital, but it was really difficult to pick an outright winner. I went with this because it quite honestly moved me and it was really the only cover that did that for me this week (other than the absolutely amazing Bill Sienkiewicz Moon Knight incentive which sadly I don’t cover in this article).
*****
RUNNERS UP
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Star Trek #11b
PUBLISHED: IDW – 8/23/23
ARTIST: Suspiria Vilchez
Perfect concept for Star Trek with awesome use of color and a pretty lady. This is done beautifully. Clean, crisp and with a great layout aesthetic.
Ice Cream Man #36b
PUBLISHED: Image – 8/23/23
ARTIST: Jonathan Marks Barravecchia
Holy crap, I love this cover. I don’t read this book (even though I probably should), but this cover has amazing impresionistic style and while it looks a little like a Sienk cover, it works so freaking well for this title. This should be a TPB cover, eventually as it seems like a timeless image for this comic.
*****
STIFF COMPETITION
*****
Kong: The Great War #3c
PUBLISHED: Dynamite – 8/23/23
ARTIST: Joe DeVito
This feels so much like the old Dell covers from the 50’s and 60’s. Fully painted and visceral which is perfect for Kong.
Knight Terrors: Titans #2c
PUBLISHED: DC – 8/22/23
ARTIST: Christian Ward
This is really cool and avant garde. It also really well rendered with tons of intricacy and depth. Great work with contrast, light and shadow as well.
Tales of Syzpense #2a
PUBLISHED: Image – 8/23/23
ARTIST: Ashley Wood
I just love Wood’s style… shoot me. I realize the style isn’t for everyone, but there is just something about it that transcends comics. This one is even better than his incentive for the same book, this week.
*****
WORTH A 2nd LOOK
*****
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season III #7a – Juan Ferreyra – DC – 8/22/23
I love the look of this cover; sort of a modern take on the classic cartoon aesthetic.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold #4b – Kael Ngu – DC – 8/22/23
Way too monotone with not enough contrast to score any higher, this week. However, it’s still a fantastic piece with a cool perspective.
Knight Terors #4b – Caspar Wijngaard – DC – 8/22/23
Definitely a striking cover with a compelling layout and good use of color even if it’s nothing new under the sun.
Knight Terrors: Harley Quinn #2b – Jenny Frison – DC – 8/22/23
Good-not-great from Jenny and while it seems like a different concept, she’s done this playing card thing before on a Vampi cover. Also, I realize it’s the chest of the upside down Harley, but I can’t unsee that as the hip area of the right side up Harley and it’s weird.
Vampirella vs. The Superpowers #4d – Joesph Michael Linsner – Dynamite – 8/23/23
Another solid pinup from JML.
Battle Chasers #12d – Stanley “Artgerm” Lau – Image – 8/23/23
So ridiculous that it’s kind of awesome. So over the top.
Dead Romans #6a and #6b – Nick Marinkovich – Image – 8/23/23
These covers are obviously companion pieces and both of them are stunning.
Amazing Spiderman #32c – Giada Perissonotto – Marvel – 8/23/23
Meh, not my favorite of these Disney 100 homages, but the completionist in me will still buy it.
Jean Grey #1d – Derrick Chew – Marvel – 8/23/23
Too digital for me and this one REALLY feels like an old Artgerm rip-off (more than normal), but the composition is pretty nice.
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #35d – Salvador Larroca – Marvel 8/23/23
I’m over this homage, but all of the pieces are incorporated quite nicely on this one and it feels vintage.
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents Robyn Hood – Eric “EBAS” Basaldua- Zenescope – 8/23/23
I actually don’t like this very much, but EBAS has his rabid following (for good reason) and I’d bet they’re happy this isn’t some limited to 100 copies con exclusive that will run them $150 for once.
*****
And that’s all she wrote for yet another week! Lot’s of good and few great! I hope you liked my choices. As usual, drop 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.
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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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