Best Comic Book Covers of 2012

I’ve almost forgotten about all the good covers of 2012 because some amazing covers have been coming out in 2013 that may have to fight for a place on my Best Covers List next year. But there were a lot of impressive covers last year… both creepy and cute! 9. Star Wars: Knight Errant – Escape #1: This series has several different covers - Some good, some bland - but this one stood out. I like how the texture of the creature looks like it would be rough to the touch, I like the peril of the situation and I like how the lightening hits that saber just right making the young warrior’s weapon really pop out on the page. Can she take down this monolith of a creature? No idea – I don’t read Star Wars comics.  8. Astonishing X-Men #51: While I don’t think any of the artwork is spectacular, I love how the wrap-around cover accomplices so many characters… and I of course have the nostalgic glee of being able to pick out every member of my favorite superhero team Alpha Flight out of the crowd... a cover that double as a Where’s Waldo: Alpha Flight addition? Count me in. This landmark issue also has a pretty color scheme that’s bright sunlight mirrors the mood of a happy wedding day and a landmark moment in comics… for better or worse. 7. Masters of the Universe: The Origin of Skeletor #1: This cover gets the point across perfectly: this isn’t the kid-friendly Masters of the Universe from kids childhood, with a Skeletor that gets made fun of on Robot Chicken. This skeleton, thanks to Franz Irving’s gothic and realistic art style, means business. 6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Spike #3: When I was searching for comic book covers, I saw someone on twitter mention it was a shame cover artist Jenny Frison wasn’t on any Best Comic Book Covers of the Year lists. Out of curiosity, I searched Frison to see if she would be worth a spot. Not only was she worthy, but almost every cover she has done is great. She’s done some great cover for the successful Revival series but it’s my list and I reserve the right to occasionally fangirl over James Marsters, so Spike #3 is my pick. Her rendition of the actor is spot on and his bruises look realistic. She can also make a man look good even when he’s covered in blood. Or is that just Marsters? 5. Evil Ernie #2: The Evil Ernie series has had numerous covers per issue and none of them can hold a smiley-faced button to this cover. I love the painted look of the cover, specifically the glazy blue backdrop and orange moon. The colors give the cover an autumn feel. 4. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse #5: Each cover of this series is a photo-opportunity for some well-designed terrors. Famine is by far my favorite and his design on this cover is awesome. A billowing western hat, a bloody spear with a skull chain around it, a Jack-o-Lantern face and to top all off, the “welcoming” image of a mouth on his chest. Complemented with some great color work, Famine makes me want to read this series so badly! 3. Batwoman #5: Batwoman has had some great covers in her self-titled series in the past but this is by far my favorite. I love how it’s like an optical illusion. Take a quick look and you see Batwoman and a ghoul above her, but give it another second and more and more faces start cropping up. This puzzling cover really stands out when you give it more than just a glance. 2. Honey West #6: Honey West covers are often unique – and I mean that in a good way. I like this cover’s simple stick figure in the foreground, the bright, eye-catching red backdrop and the woman appears in the back almost like a mirage, thanks to her purely red-and-black coloring. 1. Carbon Grey: Origins #2:There have been a lot of voluptuous women thanks to some talented comic book artists who have been gracing comic book covers this year. There’s the sultry Robyn Hood from Zenescope, the vixen Vampirella from Dynamite Entertainment and gorgeous Sara Pezzini from Top Cow’s Witchblade. These honorable mentions came close but couldn’t manage to land a spot over top of Carbon Grey. Yes, this cover doesn’t show as much skin as the others but is super cute – I love the huge doe eyes with the single little tear forming that’s so subtle you almost have to squint to see it combined with the pretty winter backdrop – though I’m also thinking that girl must be freezing.  The lighting across her skin and her make-up are also wonderfully colored. There were a lot of good covers, but 2013 has already blown me away so they have unfortunately paled in comparison. Still, tip your hats to some of the best covers of 2012.