Covers of the Week 05/29/13

It is time for the best covers from the week that was. A quick reminder: only comics that I personally have purchased qualify for this piece. If a title contains more than one cover, only the one I own is taken into consideration. Now without further ado:

________________________________________________________

Fifth PlaceAngel & Faith #22
Cover Artist: Steve Morris
________________________________________________________

Fourth Place X-Men #1
Cover Artist: Olivier Coipel
________________________________________________________

Third Place New Avengers #6
Jock certainly delivered one dramatic cover this week to take the third place spot. He once again utilizes his trademark three colours (red, black, and white) to create yet another classic image. The image is a modified version of a scene played out in countless works of fiction, the proverbial “power walk”. What is a “power walk” you ask? It is when we have a wide shot (be it in comics, television, or movies) of our main cast of heroes as they walk side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder, with a cool/determined stride as they move towards the “camera” in what is a display of group unity. This scene is modified because our heroes are anything but acting cool, in fact they are seriously remorseful of what they have just done as evident by their postures. Instead of walking in a straight line they are breaking apart in V-shape, moving away from one another instead of together. Their shadows are rendered long which not only creates added visual interest but is also representative of how they feel internally: they “cast long shadows” which symbolizes that they have considerable influence on people and events due to their actions. But what are they ashamed of? What event are they turning their backs on? Well directly behind them is a planet, presumably an alternate Earth, blowing apart. Did they cause this to happen? Did they finally cross that line to save their own Earth? It compels you to open the book up for answers and like I always say…that is what truly makes a great cover.
________________________________________________________

Second Place Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #22
Mateus Santolouco is the runner-up this week with this cover featuring Raphael. This issue marks both the beginning of a new arc, entitled “City Fall”, and the arrival of a new artist, Mateus, who was previously on TMNT: The Secret of the Foot Clan. And what a debut it was! The star of the cover is undoubtedly Raphael who is shown tumbling down the middle after crashing through some unknown glass structure. Could Ralph have been thrown through a window? Is he falling to his death? Regardless of what he was thrown through, he is completely out of it as he falls which makes it look really unlikely that he’ll recover in time before he hits the bottom and meets his apparent death. As he plummets, he is moving past some caution tape which is indicative of what is going to occur in this storyline: high danger where the utmost caution needs to be used. On one of the caution tapes is the word “City” with a drawing of Master Splinter and the other has the word “Fall” with a drawing of Shredder. The pairing of individuals with the words is apropos as the Turtles whole life, their whole city, their home revolves around their “father” Splinter while the tragedy, their proverbial fall is most likely going to be a direct result from their war with the Shredder and his forces. I’d be remiss not to mention the top of the cover, the part where Raphael is crashing through. If you look closely at the background you can make out the silhouette of the actual city itself. It’s this attention to detail that is simply astounding and I can’t wait to see what Mateus has in store for this series beyond this starting point.
________________________________________________________

First PlaceMind The Gap #10
And here is the Cover of the Week by Sonia Oback who wins this distinction for the first time. In a week when any of my Top 3 could have taken the grand prize, it’s just their luck that they all came out at the same time with this one just edging the other two with its moody, dark, and just plain awesome visual offering. The rain effects are spot on showing a real mastery of talent and the way the light and the dark meld together produces epic results. It’s fitting that in an issue when we will finally learn the mysterious Hoodie’s identity that he/she is the sole focus of the cover. This is the individual that Elle believes put her in a coma, the one that haunts her dreams. As this mystery looks to be solved, this cover produces a whole other question: who is this
invisible figure that is forming in the rain? While we know it is not a real person (in terms of actually being there), this individual means something to Hoodie. Did Hoodie commit this crime for someone, someone that appreciates it? Is this figure comforting Hoodie and he/she is carrying  this comfort, this reassurance, this love, as a means to help Hoodie accomplish whatever he/she wants for what he/she perceives as the greater good? The cover continues to tease us by having this “figure” start to pull back Hoodie’s hood as if to tell us it is time we find out the answer. Then we have the light in the background. Are these headlights? Is Hoodie out on a road? This light is carried over onto the main title itself which really ties everything together. Maybe this light actually signifies that perhaps there is some greater meaning going on beyond just a cool glow effect, a meaning that we are seeing the proverbial light at the end of tunnel in regards to our heroine discovering Hoodie’s true identity? This series is layers upon layers of mystery and when the cover itself can get into the action we are treated to something truly special. With that said, Sonia Oback, I award you the first place crown this week. Congratulations!
________________________________________________________

So those are my favourites and it’s a victory for the Independents with a three-to-two showing against Marvel. What’s your personal favourite covers from the week that was? Comment below!