By Molly Jane Kremer and Jarrod Jones. Undercover is our opportunity to lovingly gaze upon gorgeous works from magnificent artists. Each week, we single out the most striking covers that grace comic book stands and gush all over them.
Oh, and do you like free stuff? Well, keep reading! Details below.
Dedication #1: Dead Stock, by Ruiz Burgos. (Double Take)
JJ: Regular readers of The Outhousers (and don’t front; you know you’re one of them) have become familiar with this image from Dedication #1 — this gorgeously unnerving image from Double Take has been flanking its homepage for almost a month now (go have a look; it’s there right now). Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Ruiz Burgos’ weirdo throwback elicits wonderful thoughts of John Waters films, Troma, and Donna Reed, and none of that is ever a bad thing.
Captain America: White #1, by Mahmud Asrar. (Marvel Comics)
MJ: Giving a dance-like synchronicity to Cap and young James Buchanan Barnes, Mahmud Asrar’s variant cover to the ever-so-long-awaited Captain America: White miniseries has a stylishly smooth symmetry amid a retro aesthetic.
Rai #10, by Clayton Crain. (Valiant)
JJ: It’s common enough that a remarkable cover from Valiant makes an appearance in Undercover, but this slick techno-masterpiece from Clayton Crain raises my eyebrows in such a way that I can almost hear my wallet screeching out to me: “Throw me away. Far, far away. Before you empty me out and I’m completely useless to you.” Valiant, you got my money. Again.
Jem and the Holograms #7, by Tula Lotay. (IDW)
MJ: Tula Lotay never disappoints, and her dazzling cover for Jem’s seventh issue adds a 70’s rock throwback feel to the title’s typical shiny-bubblegum-pop sensibilities. Despite the soft pastels, this version of the Holograms has a bit of grunge about them—I’d expect to see them sporting Doc Martens if their feet were visible. The four sections of the cover, each devoted to one band member, have the energy and magnetism of the best concert photography. Truly stunning.
Ody-C #7, by Christian Ward. (Image Comics)
JJ: I would tell you that I don’t know what it is about Christian Ward’s cover to Ody-C that appeals to me so, but if you know me at all, you’d know that was an outright lie. Ward’s visual of our latexed friend here exudes both submission and power at the exact same time in such a way that my head’s likely to spin right off my shoulders. And the inverted Image logo… well. That’s the kind of edgeplay you just don’t find on a comic shelf. Well, at least not everyday.
Harley Quinn #20, by Dan Panosian. (DC Comics)
MJ: Dan Panosian gives Harley an exceedingly mischievous wink as she brings a gun (a shiny yellow one, natch) to a sword fight with Hal Jordan. Green Lantern variant month has again brought out some pinch hitters in the cover department, and Panosian’s layout and design are both flawless here. (As is his typically gorgeous Dr. Q.)
What are the covers that float your boat this week? We want to know! Tell us about them in the comments below, and the best response gets a DoomRocket sticker/button combo sent to their door. Get to it!
