Covers were not out burying bodies. They were robbing trains.



Scalped #60

By Jock

Jock believes that children are the future, and statistically speaking, he’s dang right. The final issue of Scalped goes full circle, playing homage to its first. Dash shrugs off his war plumage for an angry toddler. Youth and innocence don’t do much to soften the tone of the original image. In fact, it speaks to the frustrating cycle of violence and oppression over generations.



The Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #1

By Chris Samnee

Jodhpurs can make or break a morning. They can make or break a cover. What strikes me is how Samnee’s embraced a lived-in, rumpled approach to Cliff’s gear. Too often, the character is perfectly pressed, javelin-straight, streaking through the stratosphere like an art deco bullet. That makes for a stunning pinup, but the rocketeer needn’t always be a polished poster boy. It’s thrilling to see him in the thick of the action with just a little less pomp and circumstance. A real blue collar hero.



Lobster Johnson: The Prayer of Neferu

By Tonci Zonjic

Another stirring image from the pulp tradition, Zonjic’s treatment of the Lobster harkens to the days of flickering silver screen noir. At first glance, it’s all charcoal hues, a black and white gradient right out of Capra’s American Madness then accented with the character’s signature orange. Then you notice the subtle skin tone on either face, a simple touch that offers a little more warmth.



Untold Tales of Punisher MAX #3

By Esad Ribic

Frank simmers in the afterglow of a bar room brawl in this Edward Hopper painting from Hell. We know Esad Ribic can do a convincing Frazetta nightmare-scape, but this one proves he can do a hell of a lot more.



Mind MGMT #4

By Matt Kindt

I’m sure there are plenty of folks out there harboring bona fide dolphin phobias, but the level of menace in this image should prove chilling to just about anybody. Is it the combination of cuteness and certified intelligence? Is it just the haunting message in the water’s surface? Dunno. Just know that Matt Kindt has created paranoia with a porpoise.