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 for the month of November 2009.
5. Punishermax #1 (Variant)
Cover by Tim Bradstreet
The only reason this cover isn't higher on the list is due to the fact that we've seen Tim Bradstreet covers. Tons of them. In fact, this "variant" was previously used. That doesn't make the image any less awesome. Bradstreet has the innate ability to create an iconic image everytime he touches his pencil to paper, and this variant to Jason Aaron's debut issue if Punishermax is no different, previously seen or not.
4. Secret Six #15
Cover by Daniel LuVisi
The cover to Secret Six #15 accurately displays Deadshot the way we often think of him in our minds: beckoning us into battle amongst an assumed hail of gunfire and shell casings. This lovely painted cover makes Mr. Lawton look better than ever, and while I would have enjoyed some sort of background other than a foggy black void, that lack of detail is made up for by the thin red laser sight coming from his huge f*cking gun.
3. Stumptown #1
Cover by Matthew Southworth
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Comics newcomer Chrissie Zullo scores a home run with this cover that resembles something more akin to a stained glass window than a comic book cover. Minus the flaming "Top Secret" file, of course. But the different shades of blue she uses creates a cohesive composition, held together by Cinderella's pale white skin and blonde hair. It's a truly beautiful piece of work that makes me overwhelmingly excited that Zullo has chosen to grace the comics world with her presence. Also, the gun strap around Cinderella's bare thigh is pretty smoking hot.
