CoW: Cover of the Week 3/21/13

Elephantmen #47

I know next to nothing about the Image's Elephantmen run. So I'm coming to this cover from a completely unbiased perspective. It's not my typical. It's not action packed. It's quaint; almost tranquil. The shear composition of this cover was orchestrated very well. The white/light background against her brown skin and black hair... The petals falling... And then there is this mech-rhinoceros helmet upon her head that just warrants so many questions. Whats the deal with the helmet? Whats up with the baby rhinothing dressed up as a human baby? Are they worried? Are they scared? Do they feel protected? Calm?  I'm pretty sure this is my favorite cover to date.

CoW: Cover of the Week 3/12/13

It took some time to find this weeks cover. I went through a lot of them and a lot of disappointment too.But once I saw this cover I knew it was the winner. Why? Because it just kicks ass... Look at it.

That's tank. Uncanny X-men #3 is taking home the gold this week.

CoW: Cover of the Week 1/31/13

Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose #78

Now I've been reading a lot into tarot cards lately; lore and implementation. That's what initially pulled me to this cover. Despite that, this cover reached up and grabbed the GU all on its on. I believe this is the first 'WTF' CoW, because when I look at this cover everything makes me say 'WTF'. Sort of like that random cabaret scene within Xeres tent in 300. There is a girl with her head cut off, a demon chick (which is cool), a chick with the head of a warthog and then there's the center piece  that puts Powergirl to shame. I like it! Poking fun aside, the artwork is awesome. I love the birds in the cover and the skulls lurking in the background of that black tanning rack thing. I like the sticks and skulls constructing the border of it too. Huge kudos to Jim Balent! I'll end with this. After discovering Tarot Witch of the Black Rose I went and looked at some of its other covers. Expect to see TWBR again sometime in the future.

CoW: Cover of the Week 1/23/13

Masks #3

This week's CoW is once again from the hands of Alex Ross, which brings his Golden Udder count to two. Masks #3 features some great artwork, as expected from a comic juggernaut like Ross. What impresses me most is the layout and structure of the picture; the symmetry. The green energy flowing upward into the logo just adds strawberries to an already delicious cake.

CoW: Cover of the Week 1/2/13

Colder #3

Ah.... The first CoW of the new year. Are your lips salivating for some malty goodness? No? Good cause there were more innuendos laced in that question than expected. All that aside, the Golden Udder goes to Colder #3 this week. The hands on the cover are creepy as all hell; pulling and tugging at the body of this lass. But it was really the logo that pulled me to the cover. It is clear and simple yet still stylish. I also like how all the writing on the cover is on a slant with the logo. Even the Dark Horse emblem seems like its slightly askew. Nice job guys.

CoW: Cover of the Week 12/14/12

Fanboys vs. Zombies

There are a few ways to win the Golden Udder. Two sure fire ways are; one, show me something fantastic and two, appeal to something I like. Fanboys vs. Zombies #5 did the latter.
There are a few different covers for FvsZ #5, but the one that is taking home the gold pays homage to one of the greatest movie franchises of all time, (Hehe... time.) Back to the Future.
It appears to be an amalgamation of the three original BttF posters. They tossed in the classic Marty attire from I, the futuristic shades from II with the western theme from III. Nice job guys.

UPDATE: The picture indicates issue #9. Though when researched it was listed as a #5 cover. The actual issue # is currently uncertain to us.

CoW: Cover of Week 12/5/12

This just had to be the CoW... I'm not even gonna say anything. I'm just going to post the video with it.

CoW: Cover of the Week 11/28/12

The CoW is influenced by my life this time around. I purchased Transformers: Fall of Cybertron from WalMart on Black Friday (for 25 bucks, not bad). I just beat the game Monday night and will be posting a review of it sometime later this week. But let me tell you, it was a wild ride. If you love Transformers; you'll love that game. If you don't it's still a great game. My favorite chapter from the game was when I got to use Grimlock. That's right, "me is king"! It was frick'n awesome! He's totally my favorite Autobot now. Hence why this week Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots #1 takes home the Golden Udder. 

The Magnificent Black Mage #0

The wait is over. Begin the journey.

Join Daniel Christianson as he discovers the powers dormant within him and stands against a darkness that threatens to consume Philadelphia.

Read Magnificent Black Mage #0

CoW: Cover of the Week 11/14/12

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
by Darryll B. Carter

I've had the original film version of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo siting in my Netflix queue for as long as I've had the damn thing. I always look at them, intrigued by the film covers and the feelings they evoke; shadows, sex, flames and anarchy. But ultimately I've never managed to make that confirming click of the mouse or push of the 'A' button. Then I found out they were turning the famed film into a graphic novel. I figured that would be easier to sink into, which directly brings us to the cover of the week.

The shadow work on this cover is flawless. It totally captures the mood and her anatomy It's really enticing. I love the smoke too. It was a good creative choice and does more than just look fantastic. It's clearly symbolic; a reflection of her character and similar to a dragon's fire.

I have to say though, the line work is my favorite part of this piece; particularly on the chain and her hand. Especially that hand... those of you who are artist know that hands can be a #$@!. And that one is damn impressive.

CoW: Cover of the Week 10/10/12

The Magnificent Black Mage #0

by Darryll 'YTC' Carter

Character Darryll B. Carter

Pencils/Inks Dennis Crisostomo

Colors Anthonie Wilson

Letters Nikki Foxrobot

I'm here again BI readers, Darryll 'YTC' Carter, with an all new cover of the week. This time around I'm doing a bit of self promotion. This week the CoW is The Magnificent Black Mage #0. 

My favorite thing about this cover, aside from it being mine, is the bleeding Black Mage emblem in the back ground. That's just badass. Nikki did a reat job merging the emblem with the lettering. That whole logo feels like it belongs on the cover. I love the rocks and the wind blowing away from him too. It really captures his presence. Dennis really rocked the pencils and inks. While Anthonie brought it all to life with the colors. I can only say so much before praise becomes bragging. I think the cover speaks for itself. 

If you want to see the progression of the cover from the ground up check it out at  MBM's blog. And don't forget to like the Magnificent Black Mage and Broken Infinite on FACEBOOK.

CoW: Cover of the Week 10/4/12

CoW: Cover of the Week 10/4/12

It's me again BI readers, Darryll 'YTC' Carter, with a brand new CoW: Cover of the Week. Typically I only talk about the cover bringing the Golden Udder home. But since I have been gone awhile; in honor of you all I will post three covers. And they are....

Detective Comics #13
(DC Comics)
Cover by Jason Fabok

This Detective Comics cover features the Caped Crusader himself and long time nuisance the Penguin. While the Penguin himself isn't particularly cause for alarm among us Batman readers, the actually layout of the cover is what caught my eye. It's just a nice classic compilation. The hero is in the foreground and the villain is leering over him. I presume that's Comissioner Gordon in the background accompanied by an ominous full moon and a small piece of the Gotham City skyline. It very effectively sets the tone, expertly standing by colors we associate with the night, mystery and the Dark Knight.

Spaceknights #1
(Marvel)
Cover by Chris Batista
This first issue of Spaceknights is on the list because of the nostalgia it created. I picked up the issue, looked it over and realized it reminded me of G-Force/Gatchaman. The hero busts in the foreground and then their alternate selves soaring through space in the background. Its neat. I really dig the yellow and blue suit in the center. One thing i did notice though, is that the armor they're wearing below is not the same as armors soaring above. There's probably a plot explanation for that.

GOLDEN UDDER WINNER

Robyn Hood #1
(Zenescope)
Cover (C) by Stjepan Sejic

Last but certainly not least, in fact this is my favorite cover of week and the Golden Udder winner; Robyn Hood #1. I read the title of this book and saw the replaced the 'I' in Robin with a 'Y'. Then I saw that it was a Zenescope book and automatically concluded it would revolve around a female Robin Hood, which is bad-ass to say the least. There are three covers for this  book. Cover A by Eric Basadula is pretty awesome. I love the fairytale feel of the cover that the colors bring out. Cover B by Greg Horn features some great art. But it lacks color and the imposing stature that Cover A brings.




Cover C is by far the best of the three. The painted feel of the colors seems more of a match for a Robin Hood tale. The action pose is stereotypical of Robin Hood and with that comes a bad-ass factor. When you add in the flaming arrow, the hint of a burning blaze in the foreground and the arrow in her mouth; you come out with a winner. I'm picking this up.

CoW: Cover of the Week 6/27/12

The Flash #10

This week's Golden Udder goes to Francis Manapul and the Flash. This cover is epic. The detail, the colors, the glow... It's just so well done. The many talents of Manapul work extremely well together and that's one of the reasons that (so far) Francis Manapul is  the only artist to walk away with the Golden Udder... twice.

CoW: Cover of the Week 6/13/12

by Darryll "YTC" Carter

Batman & Robin #10

Golden Udder Winner

       I have been waiting for this issue to come out so I could post it as cover of the week. Incidentally, it was almost beat out by the X-men Legacy cover featuring Frenzy. But the powerhouse and brick-house that she is, was not enough to stand up against a cover with; Bruce, Dick, Jason, Tim and Damian on the cover. Not to mention the cover is letting on that Tim and Damian's hate and more hate relationship may have been revived. As of post new 52 it seemed to have gone with the birds, or Robins in this case.

X-Men Legacy #268
Second Place

CoW: Cover of the Week #16

by Darryll YTC Carter

Incredible Hulk #7.1

Cover  

Michael Kormack

         It’s that time of the week again. I’m YTC here to serve you guys another helping of some golden milk, the CoW; Cover of the Week. Today I have Incredible Hulk 7.1 for you all to feast your eyes on. This right, here my friends… is art. There isn’t much going on, but there is so much going on. What we have here are two opposing beings joined together and yet struggling together for freedom. The picture does a good job of showcasing the separation between Banner and the Hulk and also the bond that binds them. This thing was really well drawn and expertly colored. It looks like a painting. I am unsure if it was done digitally or with actual paint, but Kormack earned his Golden Udder.

Cover of the Week #14

Artifacts #17

         by Darryll Carter

     YTC is back again Clashers with another CoW to go with your weekly dose of Vitamin G-eek on  New Comics Day.

     I present to you the cover art for Top Cow's Artifacts #17. Now if I haven't stressed enough or if it hasn't come across yet, I'm typically a DC guy that dabbles in Marvel. So for something outside of the big two to grab my attention is nothing less than a grand feat. Having said that, this cover did so... and with ease.

     I mean look at this thing. It's a mash up of characters. The details are explicit and exquisite. Don't get me started on the colors. They just blend right into each other and every character carries forth their own personality and intrigue.

     I only know two of these characters by face; Witchblade and the Darkness. But I kid you not when I say the cover alone persuaded me to put Artifacts Vol. 1-3 into my shopping cart at TFAW.com.

     When trying to sell a book, the first task is to get a potential reader to pick up your book. Awesome covers do that and potentially foster new readers that may become long term fans.

Golden Udder Award