The mother of all comics, Jessica Boyd, takes a look at the best comic covers for the week of September 4, 2013 as fire, metaphors and color combinations work to create great art.
A DISTANT SOIL #41
Written by and art by Colleen Doran
Published by Image Comics
The fire-starter takes center stage as Colleen Doran continues to build to her final crescendo with A Distant Soil. The usual pastels found on the covers are contrasted against the bright orange fire looping around the edges. In full color, the cover shows D’Mer as he is rarely seen with his flaming red hair and ability to set the world ablaze. Being slightly off-center the eye follows the flames around to where he is flying across the sky. The dramatic affect, against the pale background, is stunning and alluring for a comic whose characters are normally only seen in black and white.
BATMAN BLACK & WHITE #1
Written by Chip Kidd & Various
Cover art by Marc Silvestri
Published by DC Comics
On the flip side, a comic normally presented in full color gives the artists a center stage with Batman Black & White. On this cover Silvestri has a centered Batman in mourning. The macabre positioning of his lost parents, shown in skeletal form, instead of as they were last remembered creates a haunting scene.
There are intricate lines and tiny details scattered throughout the cover. The definition on Batman, the skyscrapers, water town, emergency stairs… all the tiny little background details that create an image that speaks volumes. Just of taste of what may be waiting inside the pages of this series.
AVENGERS A. I. #3
Written by Sam Humphries
Variant Cover by Mike Allred
Published by Marvel Comics
The artificial intelligence team has been laid out for all to see…Allred style.
The ever-moving pieces and characters that are getting bumped around the pinball table are this newest Avengers team. The bright colors and clever layouts of the characters on the table speak about relationships, powers and how they intertwine.
SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #3
Written by Nick Spencer
Cover Art by Mike Del Mundo
Published by Marvel Comics
It’s all about the Benjamins… or at least this one.
The villains have kidnapped the never-was-president Founding Father that graces the 100 dollar bill. This tongue-in-cheek metaphor expresses everything that is fun in comics today. Beautifully rendered, with delicate shadows and wonderful details across the page, it still manages to be funny and irreverent.
SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #17
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Ryan Stegman
Published by Marvel Comics
Spider-man 2099 is back. The black and red suit is shown opposite his Ock-Spidey counterpart for the first time. It is interesting, that everything that makes the Ock-Spidey uniform unique has been placed in heavy shadow in order to let our future styled hero take center stage. A webbed cape and harness, with many-windowed buildings to the background have a more monotone color palette allowing the two to stand out.
