Incredible Hulk #608

If it wasn't for the stellar cover of yesterday's 28 Days Later #8 this would probabaly be my favourite of the week.  As it stands Incredible Hulk #608 has to come in a close second place but there's no shame in that!

Incredible Hulk #608 - Marvel
Artist: John Romita Jr.

I love the motion that's captured in this image.  The rain looks like it is driving down and none of the characters look static.  Apart from Spider-Man of course, who's getting a piggyback.  You know what I mean.

28 Days Later #8 (Cover B)

I couldn't let it get to Thursday (new comics day in the UK, you remember) without getting this stunner out there for all to see.  I love this cover (the inside is beautiful too - both the story and art) and what the picture below doesn't show is that it extends onto the back of the issue too, giving an even greater sense of scale and height.

It is a thing of beauty.

28 Days Later #8 (Cover B) - BOOM! Studios
Artist: Sean Phillips

There was also a limited edition cover that had no logos on it and now I kind of wish I'd picked that one up instead. Not sure why I didn't.  Well, you live and learn!

Lazy Sunday #4: Surplus Cover Roundup

Well, aren't you in for a treat?  This Lazy Sunday post is going to round up all of the covers that I couldn't show you that I wanted to from earlier this month.  There just aren't enough days in a week to give everything it's own post so what better way to show you these than in a bumper Sunday post every now and then?  I know, I know, I'm just too good to you all.

So, sit back, relax and enjoy, starting with Sparta USA #1 and continuing with a whole massive bunch of other covers after the jump.

Sparta USA #1 - DC
Artist: David Lapham

As I said, plenty more overflow goodness for you... RIGHT NOW!

Joe The Barbarian #3

Yet another beautiful Joe the Barbarian cover from Sean Murphy.  This cover really grabs you and makes you want to see what the comic is all about.  The pirates, the futuristic ship/submarine, the over-sized pet rat in his battle-wear... surely if you're not reading this you want to now?

Joe The Barbarian #3 - Vertigo
Artist: Sean Murphy

Check out the cover of Joe the Barbarian #2 which I featured last month - it is a lot less dark, but no less spectacular.

Nova #35

Well, I don't read any of the Marvel space books, but how awesome is this cover?  Nova's flaming helmet, Black Bolt's crumpled mask and (I'm guessing) Mr Fantastic's ripped outfit screams epicness.

Nova #35 - Marvel
Artist: Brandon Peterson

I'm pretty sure that the Realm of Kings crossover finishes this month - does anybody know if Nova #36 will be a good time to jump onto the Marvel U's space books?

Avengers vs Atlas #3 (Variant)

This Andrew Robinson variant of the third issue of Avengers vs Atlas is so beautiful.  The two "iron men" M-11 and, err, Iron Man having an electical fight makes for a brilliant image.

Avengers vs Atlas #3 (Variant) - Marvel
Artist: Andrew Robinson

I reckon M-11 could take old school Iron Man out.  Maybe he does!  I'll be picking this up to find out for sure - issues #1 and #2 were great.

Red Robin #10

To cap off a thoroughly Marvel-filled week we have a sterling retaliation from the Distinguished Competition. Red Robin #10 is the second part of the crossover that began in Batgirl #8 (also released this week but with a comparatively unexciting cover).

Red Robin #10 - DC
Artist: Marcus To & Ray McCarthy

I especially like the inclusion of both Red Robin and Batgirl's earlier crimefighting aliases (as Robin [obviously!] and Spoiler) in the background.  More please!

Amazing Spider-Man #624

Amazing Spider-Man is easily the most featured comic on this blog, but when you put out three issues a month and use some of the best artists in your stable then you'll always get a leg-up over everyone else.  Issue 624 is yet another stunner.

Amazing Spider-Man #624 - Marvel
Artist: Michael Lark

I really like this new Vulture but almost everyone else on the internet seems to hate him.  People need to ask themselves why they think that a zombie-like man with a pair of wings is something to hate.  It isn't!

The Mystic Hands of Dr Strange #1

As much as I don't enjoy the fact that Dr Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural was cancelled, I am pretty happy to see this awesome cover for this month's one-shot featuring the last Sorcerer Supreme, Dr Stephen Strange.

The Mystic Hands of Dr Strange #1 - Marvel
Artist: Lucio Parrillo

I would have been stoked for a Dr Voodoo one-shot too, though.

Lazy Sunday #3: The Invincible Iron Man "Textbook" Covers

Happy Sunday, readers!  You know what Sunday means, right?  Yep, another Lazy Sunday post.  This week's post focuses on the stupidly incredible Invincible Iron Man covers by Salvador Larroca.

I'm not entirely sure if "textbook" is the correct term for these covers but that's the sort of book that these images conjour in my mind when I look at them.  These covers were used for the recent Stark: Disassembled arc and I've also included the breathtaking Deadpool Variant cover to Invincible Iron Man #23.

Here is the cover of Invincible Iron Man #20, look under the cut for the rest of the covers and prepare to have your mind blown.

Invincible Iron Man #20 - Marvel
Artist: Salvador Larroca

Like I said before (and I wasn't joking), prepare yourself for a mind blowing.

S.W.O.R.D. #5

Well, this is a sad post.  One of the most beautiful covers of 2010 so far was used to cap Kieron Gillen's prematurely cancelled series S.W.O.R.D.  Everyone pick this up in TPB format when it is released later this year - you won't regret it!

S.W.O.R.D. #5 - Marvel
Artist: Michael Del Mundo

Michael Del Mundo also did a lovely job of S.W.O.R.D. #4's cover too.  Check it out.

The Twelve: Spearhead #1

I haven't read the first 8 issues of The Twelve that were released before this On-Shot (I am about to order them on eBay, however...) but I needed to buy this.  Why?  WWII imagery, of course!  Well, not just that to be fair; this cover is incredible and the art inside is just as beautiful.

The Twelve: Spearhead #1 - Marvel
Artist: Paolo Rivera

I can't wait to read issues 1-8, but I'm sure that it will just anger me that the series was abandoned so heinously in the middle of its run.  There's an ad for The Twelve #9 in the back of this Spearhead One-Shot, so I guess that there is still hope that the full original series will emerge in 2010.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Breaking Into Comics The Marvel Way #1

Wow.  This is a stunning cover.  I didn't buy this comic (and from what I've read elsewhere I didn't miss much!) but that cover is so tempting.

Breaking Into Comics The Marvel Way #1 - Marvel
Artist: Matteo De Longis

Aside from the terrible name I also hear that the comic offers up no information or tips on breaking into the industry at all.  It's just a simple anthology comic.  Why does it have this name?  Just call it Marvel New Artist Showcase or something.

Girl Comics #1

Well, a Marvelite like me couldn't go for a full week without posting a single Marvel cover, could I?  Let alone one this good.

Girl Comics was an interesting and fun read, but I still don't get why Marvel decided to focus on a completely female-created book.  I think that in this current society there is no need to focus on the gender of any creator.  Anyway, forget my rambling, enjoy the cover!

Girl Comics #1 - Marvel
Artist: Amanda Conner & Laura Martin

The only bad things I can say about this cover is that Captain America looks kind of un-fazed by the situation and Sue Richards looks like she's completely crazed.

The Great Ten #5

Stanley Lau gets his second post in a week (the first cover being for The Web #6) - here is his cover for The Great Ten #5.

The Great Ten #5 - DC

Artist: Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau

I love this cover simply because of the Russian imagery (I love communism-inspired art just as much World War II-inspired art) and the grey on red contrast.  It really reminds me of Skottie Young's cover for The Marvelous Land of Oz #3, too, even though they are both extremely different styles.  I demand more covers like this!

First Wave #1

So after what seems like months of previews and teasers we have finally seen the release of First Wave #1, DC's answer (in some respects) to the Marvel Noir series of comic books.  I really like Batman and The Spirit on this cover but Doc Savage is also pretty sweet - look at that fat silencer!

First Wave #1 - DC

Artist: JG Jones

That graveyard scene is perfect, I love the ominous yellows and the red of Spirit's tie with the big moon - it looks like a mystery comic rather than a pulp comic.

Lazy Sunday #2: JH Williams III's Detective Comics Cover Masterclass

As promised in my post showcasing Detective Comics #862, here is a special extended Lazy Sunday post highlighting JH Williams III's insanely beautiful Detective Comics covers.  So, without further ado, I present to you Detective Comics #854 (the start of the Batwoman Elegy arc).  See the covers to issues #855-863 under the cut.

Detective Comics #854 - DC
Artist: JH Williams III

Check under the cut for the rest of the covers.

Jonah Hex #53

A strong week from DC and it's various imprints is kind of epitomised by this stupidly cool Jonah Hex cover as drawn by Billy Tucci.  It's palette and imagery is perfect, and you can never go wrong with some wild west showgirl action.

Jonah Hex #53 - DC

Artist: Billy Tucci

Check out the links below for more Jonah Hex goodness.

Previously on CBCAD: Jonah Hex #52, Green Arrow and Black Canary #29.

Astro City: The Dark Age Book 4 #2

Astro City's The Dark Age (Book 4) limited series continues with this incredible cover from Alex Ross.  The iconic Las Vegas cowboy (Vegas Vic) in the background instantly gives you a sense of scale and location, and the colours of the sky and the pop of the neon hint perfectly at a Nevada sunset.

Astro City: The Dark Age Book 4 #2 - Wildstorm

Artist: Alex Ross

The fact that it looks a bit like a scene from Tron as seen during an acid trip just makes this cover all the more appealing.

Detective Comics #862

It's almost a cliché to post a JH Williams III cover and highlight it as one of the best of the week, but how can I not?  Check out the vertical blood split and the reflections in the knife blades.  The palette is kind of understated, but it pops at the same time.  Insanely good.

Check out JH William's III blog for more info on this cover (including the black and white pre-colour version and the logo-ified version).

Detective Comics #862 - DC

Artist: JH Williams III

I may have to go back and highlight some recent Detective Comics covers in the coming days (perhaps in a Lazy Sunday post).  The current run (driven by JHW3 on all art until recently) was stunninng.

Avengers: Initiative #33 & Thor #607

I know I've said in the past how much I hate that Marvel's Siege covers are eaten up by the huge "Siege" banner and here are two more sterling examples of why they shouldn't be.  Thor (or maybe it's Clone-Thor on the front of Thor #607) and Taskmaster are two of my favourite characters so it's good to see them in their full bad-assery.

Avengers: Initiative #33 - Marvel

Artist: David Yardin

Thor #607 - Marvel

Artist: Mico Suayan

These covers are awesome, but I just wish we'd be able to see a full cover rather than a massive pink strip with a cross-over event's name emblazened on it.

The Web #6

As with most of the DCU, I don't know much (or even anything!) about The Web, but I love this cover.  The wings are awesome and those googles are great.  It may very well just be the green and gold, but he reminds me of Iron Fist, too.

The Web #6 - DC

Artist: Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau

I also love that skyline - the greeny blacks are perfect.  I might have to check this series out.

Flash: Rebirth #6

A bumper week for Marvel this week put us in danger of being labeled a Marvel sycophant zone, so I thought I'd better treat you to this nice Flash: Rebirth cover.  While I like the cover, I keep getting drawn to Flash's weird droopy leg muscles... it is like he is melting.  Less of that next time please, Mr Van Sciver!

Flash: Rebirth #6 - DC

Artist: Ethan Van Sciver

Apart from the melty muscles, this cover is boss, though.