Covers of the Week 07/03/13

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:

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Fifth PlaceVenom #37
Cover Artist: Declan Shalvey
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Fourth Place Deadpool Kills Deadpool #1
Cover Artist: Mike Del Mundo
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Third Place Green Arrow #22
Andrea Sorrentino certainly delivered one awesome cover this week to take the third place spot. This issue marks the New 52 debut of classic Green Arrow foe Count Vertigo so its apropos that this cover gives us a sampling of what we can expect. Vertigo is defined as “a sensation of motion in which the individual or the individual’s surroundings seem to whirl dizzily.” The first case of this sensation is being inflicted on Green Arrow himself, holding his head in pain, reaching out with one hand as if he is trying to leap off the page and ask the reader for help. The second case of vertigo is in the swirling pattern behind our hero. The swirls are made-up of various arrows with the epicenter of the swirl encircling around Oliver’s head. I love how the overall swirl also resembles that of a bullseye which is fitting considering our hero’s penchant for archery. Last but not least is our final case of vertigo: the background itself. If you look closely you can clearly see the key to disorienting us: the image of Green Arrow in pain is repeated over and over again with each image being blended and layered one on top of the other. It creates one hell of an interesting background that most would pass off as just random patterns until further inspection. Utter brilliance indeed.
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Second Place Detective Comics #22
Jason Fabok is the runner-up this week with this cover featuring a mash-up of Batman and the Wrath. The villainous Wrath is billed as being Batman’s opposite number and it is no more apparent than with this cover. I admire the creative choice of having the characters in the same pose but instead of cutting straight down the middle like most artist would we get four alternating sections which creates an even more dynamic image. Even the caption “The Wrath of Batman!” gets in on the action as well with part of it being blue for Batman and the other two sections being orange for Wrath. This colouring scheme is carried over to lighting and background of the two characters. Batman has the cool blues, rain pouring down behind him while the Wrath is his antithesis with warm colours and a fire burning behind. While the rest of the comparisons are pretty similar with their determined looks, clenched fists, utility belts, and chest symbols there is one main difference: the gun strapped to the  back of Wrath which as we all know that firearms is strictly against Batman’s code. Together these two opposite numbers form an amalgamation that produces one stellar and beautiful image.
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First PlaceEarth 2 #14
And here is the Cover of the Week by Juan Doe who wins this distinction for the first time. If you weren’t aware that we are on the brink of war in the pages of this book you’d certainly figure it out after seeing this cover. The very word “WAR” is splashed on the image, an immense element that looks weathered and beaten almost as if it has seen action on the battlefield itself. The sky’s colour is stylized and a murky sullen grey in hue which matches perfectly with the mood and the surrounding background, the always ominous prison walls complete with matching barbwire. The main attraction however is that of the huge drawings of our three heroes graffitied on the wall which is very reminiscent of propaganda posters mixed with a rebellious slant. It makes sense in the context of the series since these three are drafted into battle but they will not conform to the World Army and instead strike out on their own to engage in a pre-emptive attack on their enemies. The trio are rendered in black and white except for their own unique identifiable symbols being doused in colour from Flash’s lighting bolt to Green Lantern’s lantern to Doctor Fate’s trademark helmet. If you knew nothing about what was going on in this series and merely passed it by on the shelves you would stop and pause, stop and wonder. Who are these three going to war with? Why is there a prison involved? What is the meaning behind the way they are portrayed on the cover? It compels you to open the book up for answers and like I always say…that is what truly makes a great cover. With that said, Juan Doe, I award you the first place crown this week. Congratulations!
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So those are my favourites and it’s a victory for DC with a three-to-two showing against Marvel. What’s your personal favourite covers from the week that was? Comment below!