Cover of the Week: February 9, 2011
Every week I pick my favorite cover from all the comic books that came out during the week…today’s pick goes to New Avengers #9 by Mike Deodato & Rain Beredo.
I’ve spoken about it before [here and here] that I hate “rifle scope” covers, or as I’ve called them “sniper covers.” I loathe them. At the risk of angering anyone (and displaying only my own personal opinion) I think they’re mostly uncreative, give an excuse to ignore any backgrounds, and are usually a heavy handed wink at the story (“Hey, someone is out to get your heroes! Will they survive?”) that almost never results in anyone significant ever getting shot (if anyone does any shooting at all). It just always feels like a cheap way to get your points across. They’re not all bad, but a lot are.
So..when I saw the cover to New Avengers #9 I was speechless. Mike Deodato and Rain Beredo did it, a sniper cover that actually makes sense, that actually looks great! Instead of sacrificing any artistic value the cover is full of it; a great background, excellent covers, deep blacks/inks and great depth. And what a novel idea, show the shooter! My hat is off to Mike Deodato and Rain Beredo for taking a comic book cover trope and spinning into something great.
And for comparison’s sake some of my [least]favorites (click for bigger image):
Other Honorable Mentions (click title to see cover):
Justice League: Generation Lost #19, Incognito: Bad Influences #3
