Comic Book Cover A Day

The Avengers #9

2011-01-27T23:10:00.001+00:00

A second cover by John Romita Jr in one week, but what a cover. Red Hulk and Thor's encounter with the Infinity Gauntlet - beautiful.

The Avengers #9 - Marvel
Artist: John Romita Jr

I love the use of the Avengers logo here - destroyed by the gauntlet and the same destructive force about to destroy Red Hulk and Thor. It just makes you want to grab the comic and read ASAP.

Age of X: Alpha #1

2011-01-26T10:53:00.001+00:00

With the start another year, it's the start of another X-Men event at Marvel. It is easy to by cynical about X-Men events because they happen so often, but Age of X actually does look quite interesting and with a cover like this leading the way on this preliminary One-Shot it is hard not to get excited.

Age of X: Alpha #1 - Marvel
Artist: Chris Bachalo

I'm a complete sucker for X-Men action shots - Bachalo nails the action here.

Northlanders #36

2011-01-25T10:11:00.000+00:00

Northlanders is a series that flies beneath most peoples' radars but I jumped on for this current arc and it is a great read. The interior art by Becky Cloonan is beautiful and issue 36 is backed up by a great cover from Massimo Carnevale.

Northlanders #36 - Vertigo
Artist: Massimo Carnevale

I'll be reading Northlanders in trade from the beginning now, but I'm sure more single issue covers will show up on this blog in the future judging by what I have seen thus far.

Invincible Iron Man #500 (John Romita Jr Variant)

2011-01-24T12:25:00.001+00:00

Incvincible Iron Man hit issue 500 last week and one of the Variant covers was this brilliant image from John Romita Jr.

Invincible Iron Man #500 - Marvel
Artist: John Romita Jr

The speed lines tend to hide Romita Jr's standard more intricate lines and is all the better for it - you really get the impression of speed. I also especially like the blue glow from the arc reactor.

Thor: First Thunder #5

2011-01-21T12:00:00.000+00:00

With the Thor movie coming out shortly Marvel went a bit mad on the Thor limited series towards the end of last year. First Thunder apparently re-tells his origin story.

Thor: First Thunder #5 - Marvel
Artist: Jay Anacleto, Brian Haberlin

I really like the colours in this cover (especially that rainbow) and it is always good to see Loki having been on the wrong end of a beating!

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8 #40

2011-01-20T17:00:00.000+00:00

Buffy The Vampire Slayer comes to a close with issue 40 of the comic book. This series represented what aparently would have been the final season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer: the TV show.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8 #40 - Dark Horse
Artist: Jo Chen

Loving the sadness in her face (I guess because it is the end) and the painted look. Jo Chen also did the cover of Monsters & Dames 2010 and it is equally as impressive.

Fantastic Four In...Ataque Del M.O.D.O.K.! #1 (Spanish Variant)

2010-10-09T19:30:00.001+01:00

Now, I have no idea why this horned creature has been substituted for MODOK in this "Spanish Variant" cover, but I'm glad he was because he is awesome!

Is Juan Doe really called "Juan Doe" or is it a pseudonym? Regardless, his art is awesome. Check out all of his stuff at Marvel Images: Juan Doe

Fantastic Four In...Ataque Del M.O.D.O.K.! #1 (Spanish Variant) - Marvel
Artist: Juan Doe

I wasn't going to pick this up, but after looking through the art and previews of the issue I may grab it when I'm next in my local comics emporium!

Check out the original (and still awesome) MODOK cover below the cut:

Fantastic Four In...Ataque Del M.O.D.O.K.! #1 - Marvel
Artist: Juan Doe

Klaws of the Panther #1

2010-10-09T18:52:00.001+01:00

With Black Panther being the new "Man Without Fear" due to Daredevil's hiatus, it looks like a whole slew of different comics are coming out featuring characters from the Black Panther side of the Marvel Universe. In this comic, the new Black Panther (Shuri; T'Challa's younger sister) has to stop an onslaught of Savage Land dinosaurs and Klaw.


Klaws of the Panther #1 - Marvel Artist: Michael Del Mundo

You should definitely click on the picture to view it full size. It is epic.

Michael Del Mundo is probably the artist who has been featured the most on this blog and it looks like that isn't going to stop any time soon.

6 Months Later...

2010-10-09T18:37:00.000+01:00

Hi, everybody.

I must apologise for not posting here for a full 6 months. I'm still reading comics and I'm still enjoying their covers, but work has caught up to me in a big way. It is a Saturday at 6:35pm and I'm actually at work now.... bad times.

Anyway, I'm going to re-start this blog. I may not manage to post a cover every day, but I'll try my hardest for you. Let's see how this pans out.

Cheers,
Ric

Uncanny X-Men #523 (Variant)

2010-04-08T12:35:00.017+01:00

Second Coming rumbles on into Chapter 2 in Uncanny X-Men #523 and what a variant cover this is. David Finch, has smashed this one right out of the park. Everyone looks really bad-ass.

Archangel and Colossus especially stand out. Magik's fire-sword looks sweet. Nightcrawler BAMF!-ing in in his trademark purple smoke is awesome.

Uncanny X-Men #523 - Marvel
Artist: David Finch

I really can't assign enough superlatives to this.

Spider-Man: Fever #1

2010-04-07T18:31:00.000+01:00

After quite the hiatus we are back and hope to get into a better and more structured post-pattern from now on. Heavy workloads derailed the comic cover train but what better way to get back on track with a cover like this?

Spider-Man: Fever #1 - Marvel

Artist: Brendan McCarthy

This is the first part of a 3-part limited series and all the covers are of a similar high quality, so expect to see more in the coming months!

Worst Cover of March 2010 - WWE Heroes #1

2010-04-01T18:30:00.002+01:00

Oh dear. Who decided that it was a good idea to invest time, money and effort into this venture?

WWE Heroes #1 - Titan
Artist: Andy Smith

Forget the fact that the cover involves WWE Wrestlers battling both zombies, vikings AND leopards for a moment and take a look at the size of Undertaker's forehead, HHH's thighs and John Cena's disgusting runny forearm muscles (last seen on the cover of Flash: Rebirth #6 chilling out on The Flash's legs). It would also seem that HHH has a mullet these days.

Even the zombie that HHH is holding aloft like a Championship belt has the fashion sense of an old-man - check out that waistline! Horrible.

Incredible Hulk #608

2010-03-23T13:10:00.024+00:00

If it wasn't for the stellar cover of yesterday's 28 Days Later #8 this would probabaly be my favourite of the week. As it stands Incredible Hulk #608 has to come in a close second place but there's no shame in that!

Incredible Hulk #608 - Marvel
Artist: John Romita Jr.

I love the motion that's captured in this image. The rain looks like it is driving down and none of the characters look static. Apart from Spider-Man of course, who's getting a piggyback. You know what I mean.

28 Days Later #8 (Cover B)

2010-03-22T11:45:00.000+00:00

I couldn't let it get to Thursday (new comics day in the UK, you remember) without getting this stunner out there for all to see. I love this cover (the inside is beautiful too - both the story and art) and what the picture below doesn't show is that it extends onto the back of the issue too, giving an even greater sense of scale and height.

It is a thing of beauty.

28 Days Later #8 (Cover B) - BOOM! Studios
Artist: Sean Phillips

There was also a limited edition cover that had no logos on it and now I kind of wish I'd picked that one up instead. Not sure why I didn't. Well, you live and learn!

Lazy Sunday #4: Surplus Cover Roundup

2010-03-21T15:00:00.002+00:00

Well, aren't you in for a treat? This Lazy Sunday post is going to round up all of the covers that I couldn't show you that I wanted to from earlier this month. There just aren't enough days in a week to give everything it's own post so what better way to show you these than in a bumper Sunday post every now and then? I know, I know, I'm just too good to you all.

So, sit back, relax and enjoy, starting with Sparta USA #1 and continuing with a whole massive bunch of other covers after the jump.

Sparta USA #1 - DC
Artist: David Lapham

As I said, plenty more overflow goodness for you... RIGHT NOW!

Spider-Man Noir: Eyes Without A Face #4 - Marvel
Artist: Patrick Zircher

PunisherMAX: Butterfly #1 - Marvel
Artist: Laurence Campbell

Batman #697 - DC
Artist: Tony Daniel

Daytripper #4 - Vertigo
Artist: Gabriel Bá

Ultimate Spider-Man #8 - Marvel
Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa

The Unwritten #11 - Vertigo
Artist: Yuko Shimizu

X-Men: Pixe Strikes Back #2 - Marvel
Artist: Stuart Immonen

Batman: Widening Gyre #5 - DC
Artist: Bill Sienkiewicz

Joe The Barbarian #3

2010-03-20T12:10:00.024+00:00

Yet another beautiful Joe the Barbarian cover from Sean Murphy. This cover really grabs you and makes you want to see what the comic is all about. The pirates, the futuristic ship/submarine, the over-sized pet rat in his battle-wear... surely if you're not reading this you want to now?

Joe The Barbarian #3 - Vertigo
Artist: Sean Murphy

Check out the cover of Joe the Barbarian #2 which I featured last month - it is a lot less dark, but no less spectacular.

Nova #35

2010-03-19T11:50:00.018+00:00

Well, I don't read any of the Marvel space books, but how awesome is this cover? Nova's flaming helmet, Black Bolt's crumpled mask and (I'm guessing) Mr Fantastic's ripped outfit screams epicness.

Nova #35 - Marvel
Artist: Brandon Peterson

I'm pretty sure that the Realm of Kings crossover finishes this month - does anybody know if Nova #36 will be a good time to jump onto the Marvel U's space books?

Avengers vs Atlas #3 (Variant)

2010-03-18T12:35:00.018+00:00

This Andrew Robinson variant of the third issue of Avengers vs Atlas is so beautiful. The two "iron men" M-11 and, err, Iron Man having an electical fight makes for a brilliant image.

Avengers vs Atlas #3 (Variant) - Marvel
Artist: Andrew Robinson

I reckon M-11 could take old school Iron Man out. Maybe he does! I'll be picking this up to find out for sure - issues #1 and #2 were great.

Red Robin #10

2010-03-17T10:15:00.034+00:00

To cap off a thoroughly Marvel-filled week we have a sterling retaliation from the Distinguished Competition. Red Robin #10 is the second part of the crossover that began in Batgirl #8 (also released this week but with a comparatively unexciting cover).

Red Robin #10 - DC
Artist: Marcus To & Ray McCarthy

I especially like the inclusion of both Red Robin and Batgirl's earlier crimefighting aliases (as Robin [obviously!] and Spoiler) in the background. More please!

Amazing Spider-Man #624

2010-03-16T13:42:00.001+00:00

Amazing Spider-Man is easily the most featured comic on this blog, but when you put out three issues a month and use some of the best artists in your stable then you'll always get a leg-up over everyone else. Issue 624 is yet another stunner.

Amazing Spider-Man #624 - Marvel
Artist: Michael Lark

I really like this new Vulture but almost everyone else on the internet seems to hate him. People need to ask themselves why they think that a zombie-like man with a pair of wings is something to hate. It isn't!

The Mystic Hands of Dr Strange #1

2010-03-15T13:15:00.000+00:00

As much as I don't enjoy the fact that Dr Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural was cancelled, I am pretty happy to see this awesome cover for this month's one-shot featuring the last Sorcerer Supreme, Dr Stephen Strange.

The Mystic Hands of Dr Strange #1 - Marvel
Artist: Lucio Parrillo

I would have been stoked for a Dr Voodoo one-shot too, though.

Lazy Sunday #3: The Invincible Iron Man "Textbook" Covers

2010-03-14T11:30:00.002+00:00

Happy Sunday, readers! You know what Sunday means, right? Yep, another Lazy Sunday post. This week's post focuses on the stupidly incredible Invincible Iron Man covers by Salvador Larroca.

I'm not entirely sure if "textbook" is the correct term for these covers but that's the sort of book that these images conjour in my mind when I look at them. These covers were used for the recent Stark: Disassembled arc and I've also included the breathtaking Deadpool Variant cover to Invincible Iron Man #23.

Here is the cover of Invincible Iron Man #20, look under the cut for the rest of the covers and prepare to have your mind blown.

Invincible Iron Man #20 - Marvel
Artist: Salvador Larroca

Like I said before (and I wasn't joking), prepare yourself for a mind blowing.

Invincible Iron Man #21 - Marvel
Artist: Salvador Larroca

Invincible Iron Man #22 - Marvel
Artist: Salvador Larroca

Invincible Iron Man #23 - Marvel
Artist: Salvador Larroca

Invincible Iron Man #24 - Marvel
Artist: Salvador Larroca

Invincible Iron Man #23 (Deadpool Variant) - Marvel
Artist: Salvador Larroca

S.W.O.R.D. #5

2010-03-13T16:36:00.000+00:00

Well, this is a sad post. One of the most beautiful covers of 2010 so far was used to cap Kieron Gillen's prematurely cancelled series S.W.O.R.D. Everyone pick this up in TPB format when it is released later this year - you won't regret it!

S.W.O.R.D. #5 - Marvel
Artist: Michael Del Mundo

Michael Del Mundo also did a lovely job of S.W.O.R.D. #4's cover too. Check it out.

The Twelve: Spearhead #1

2010-03-12T16:27:00.026+00:00

I haven't read the first 8 issues of The Twelve that were released before this On-Shot (I am about to order them on eBay, however...) but I needed to buy this. Why? WWII imagery, of course! Well, not just that to be fair; this cover is incredible and the art inside is just as beautiful.

The Twelve: Spearhead #1 - Marvel
Artist: Paolo Rivera

I can't wait to read issues 1-8, but I'm sure that it will just anger me that the series was abandoned so heinously in the middle of its run. There's an ad for The Twelve #9 in the back of this Spearhead One-Shot, so I guess that there is still hope that the full original series will emerge in 2010. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Breaking Into Comics The Marvel Way #1

2010-03-11T16:24:00.029+00:00

Wow. This is a stunning cover. I didn't buy this comic (and from what I've read elsewhere I didn't miss much!) but that cover is so tempting.

Breaking Into Comics The Marvel Way #1 - Marvel
Artist: Matteo De Longis

Aside from the terrible name I also hear that the comic offers up no information or tips on breaking into the industry at all. It's just a simple anthology comic. Why does it have this name? Just call it Marvel New Artist Showcase or something.