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My Favourite Covers
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Okay, so our journey through the past is complete for this week but which covers reign supreme?
For Green Arrow, the crown goes to: Green Arrow Vol. 3 #57. If you are looking for a visually stunning and dynamic cover than you don’t have to look any further than this one right here. Green Arrow and fellow hero Black Lightning team-up to take on an unseen foe. Oliver leaps through the air, unleashing three arrows in quick succession as Black Lightning crackles with energy and actually commands bolts of lighting down from the heavens. I especially love how the artist represented the electricity and lighting bolts as pure white forces of nature, cutting through the cover itself and thusly standing out immensely as quite striking elements. Speaking of standing out, the two heroes pop off the page to a lesser extent due to the decision to render them in black and white to offset the coloured background. Continuing the mood that has been established is the dark and murky colours of said background with the blood-red sky in particular being a really exceptional sight to behold and the unique angle utilized creating an even greater visual interest. Add everything together with that fantastic promise of a “Shocking Conclusion” alongside the mystery of whom they are squaring off against and you get one splendid cover that is quite deserving of being called the best of the best. 
For the Punisher, the title goes to: The Punisher Vol. 6 #17. This cover utilizes a terrific top down perspective to great effect. Standing in the centre, both of his weapons spent, is the victorious Punisher who is surveying the violence he has inflicted. Surrounding him are various dead bodies of the criminal lot whom he has just dispatched along with their guns and hundreds of spent shell casings littered about. The floor that this scene is taking place on has a white background with a giant red hammer and sickle which is an iconic imagery of Mother Russia. This floor not only clues us in on where in the world this violence is occurring but it also makes all the various elements stand out even more. Taking in this scene on full display really gets our anticipation levels rising as we can’t wait to tear open the issue and witness this epic gunfight for ourselves. In that regards this cover succeeds two-fold: it possesses an eye-catching visual and it succeeds in capturing our interest. That is why it is so deserving of the first place prize above all the others that came out this year.
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So that’s it for this week. Agree/Disagree? Which covers are your personal favourites from this week? Comment below!
The Speech Bubble 
I really like Green Arrow # 61.
First of all, the villain is in the foreground and the hero is in the background: usually it’s just the opposite, so this detail instantly won me over.
Secondly, the villain is not shown: as you know, I love when the cover artist decides to do that, because this way he gives the image a mysterious vibe I absolutely adore.
Thirdly, the colouring is simply awesome. The fight is taking place at sunset, so everything around Green Arrow is coloured with a gorgeous tone of orange.
As for Frank, I pick Punisher # 16, because it shows some pieces of glass flying all over, and this is one of the most typical elements of the action packed covers I love so much.
Special mention for Punisher # 26, because the face of the cop is perfectly defined. And I didn’t expect anything less, because Tim Bradstreet is one of the most talented cover artists we had the honour to talk about in this blog.
By the way, The Slavers is one of the best Punisher’s stories ever: it is so unforgettable that, even years after its release, I can still recall a lot of scenes of that story arc.
“The fight is taking place at sunset, so everything around Green Arrow is coloured with a gorgeous tone of orange.”
It really gives off that showdown in the wild west vibe. I agree that the colouring is superb and really speaks to the colourist’s ability. For me my runner-up is another Green Arrow/Deathstroke cover in the form of #63. I love the silhouetted characters against the backdrop of the prison. Another favourite of mine is #62’s up-close and personal confrontation between the two.
“As for Frank, I pick Punisher # 16, because it shows some pieces of glass flying all over, and this is one of the most typical elements of the action packed covers I love so much.”
This cover attains my runner-up prize.
“Special mention for Punisher # 26, because the face of the cop is perfectly defined.”
And the previous issue (#25) captures my third place award due to the expressive and emotive women that lies before the Punisher.
“By the way, The Slavers is one of the best Punisher’s stories ever: it is so unforgettable that, even years after its release, I can still recall a lot of scenes of that story arc.”
I’m sure if I looked it up it would probably rank in the Top 10 Punisher stories of all time if that is the case. Did you read it upon its initial release or was it something you discovered in Trade Paperback later on?
Thanks, as always, for sharing your selections!
“Did you read it upon its initial release or was it something you discovered in Trade Paperback later on?” Here in Italy the Punisher is published directly in a TP size, so I read all the issues in one day. Yesterday I read The Slavers again, and I confirm that this story arc is an absolute masterpiece.
“Thanks, as always, for sharing your selections!” Thank you as well for your replies! : )
“Yesterday I read The Slavers again, and I confirm that this story arc is an absolute masterpiece.”
I’m happy to hear that an edition of Retroactive may have played a small part in you revisiting a storyline that you cherish. 🙂
I really like Green Arrow Vol 3 #62 with the rematch between Green Arrow and Deathstroke! What an exciting cover with them both poised to strike! Punisher Vol #6 #16 is another really exciting and dark cover, with Punisher crashing in through the glass, its almost like its happening in slow motion, with each piece of glass spinning in the air, a great cover.
“I really like Green Arrow Vol 3 #62 with the rematch between Green Arrow and Deathstroke!”
This is my third place cover, a cover that gains new standing in my eyes due to the characters’ confrontation in the Arrow TV show.
“Punisher Vol #6 #16 is another really exciting and dark cover, with Punisher crashing in through the glass, its almost like its happening in slow motion, with each piece of glass spinning in the air, a great cover.”
You and wwayne are in 100% agreement with this cover and I come in just behind with it being my Silver Medalist!
Thanks for providing your choices and I hope you enjoy what is left of the weekend! 🙂
Cheers & enjoy your weekend as well 😀