One of the beautiful things about the comic book medium is that it is one of the few art forms that allows readers to both literally and figuratively judge books by their covers. The work of a cover artist is not always to encapsulate the plot of the issue; in fact, most times the cover is completely unrelated to the content inside. The primary job of the artist is to make the book stand out - to grab readers by the throat and force them to take a look at the issue, even as it's speckled in with dozens of other books on the shelf, Wednesday after Wednesday.
It is entirely possible to purchase a book based on its cover and find the content inside to be complete drivel, or worse yet, with art that pales in comparison to the work of the cover artist. Alternatively, a poor cover could potentially lead readers away from books that are otherwise goldmines. There's a lot riding on that cover, so CraveOnline is taking it upon ourselves to take a look at the covers and artists that made us stop dead in our tracks in the final month of 2009.
5. House of Mystery #20
Cover by Esao Andrews
Esao Andrews continued his stellar cover work with December's House of Mystery #20, keeping up to par with the quality of one of Vertigo's best monthly titles. Andrews is a master of blending together various elements to form one cohesive composition, and that is showcased here to the max. The titular House of Mystery, fire, figure and the smoke all mend together organically, as the arms become the "roots" of the house as though it was an extension of the underworld.
It's an incredible piece of work, and fits so perfectly with the concept and tone of House of Mystery.
4. Invincible Iron Man #21
Cover by Salvador Larroca
Like I mentioned in our Best in Comics: 2009 awards, Salvador Larroca's work on Invincible Iron Man is really evolving, and the new sleek look of the covers is a testament to that. While I'm all for traditional cover posing, there's something to be said about a cover that looks like this. It's instantly gripping, and though it doesn't reflect the interiors, it gives a definite sense of sophistication not commonly associated with a superhero book.
Plus, the Da Vinci/Tony Stark mash-up is just a great concept.
3. The Marvelous Land of Oz #2
Cover by Skottie Young
Oh, Scarecrow, why so glum? CraveOnline's Best Artist of 2009 Skottie Young makes the list with yet another wonderful cover for an Oz book. Aside from the great color scheme of this image, I love the emotion that Young is able to give the character using only his body's positioning and a rather ho-hum look on his face. This cover is indicative of everything that's charming about Young's work, and I have no doubt that 2010 will be another banner year for the artist.
2. Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1
Cover by Greg Horn
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Love him or hate him, Greg Horn creates some gorgeous pieces of work. While he's typically known for his photorealistic cheesecake covers, Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1 is a great example of what he's capable as a cover artist. With Diana getting strangled by a Black Lantern Maxwell Lord, Horn recalls one of the most iconic (though incredibly violent) moments of Wonder Woman's history that instantly compels you to read this tie-in. As aggressively beautiful as Wonder Woman is in this image, it's Horn's depiction of an utterly insane, and very much un-alive, Max Lord that draws your eye.
1. Secret Six #16
Cover by Daniel LuVisi
Not only is Secret Six one of DC's most consistently superb ongoing series, but its covers always deliver. Perhaps none more so than December's issue #16. Featuring Daniel LuVisi's take on potential new team member Black Alice sitting atop Deadshot's tombstone, this is a cover that is beautifully composed and undeniably sexy.
Completely in black and white aside from Deadshot's glove reaching out from 6 feet under, Alice sitting in fishnets amongst a light snowfall is simply gorgeous. LuVisi also creates a recognizable foreground, middleground, and background, using the tombstones, the issue's title logo, and the out-of-focus trees and bridge in the beyond. It sounds simple, but too often do we see covers that are simply an otherwise great pose atop a bland solid background.
Add into that the little details of the tombstone engravings ("Rest in Peace" written in Spanish on Bane's, or "Your 9 Lives Are Up" with a paw print on Catman's), and the accents of Black Alice's costume ("Girls" written on her chest and a Bat symbol on her sleeve), and you've got a single, solitary image that you can analyze for a half an hour before you even crack open the book.
While it's absolutely the best cover of December, Secret Six #16 could very well be the best cover of 2009.
