12 Days of Best Covers of 2013

The idea for this has been percolating in my mind for quite a while. Generally, end of year lists focus on what the best books or comics for that year were. Bloggers don’t tend to focus on covers, from what I’ve seen. And that’s what I intend to change for myself as 2013 draws to a close. Honestly, this is extremely fun to do.

I’ve seen some truly fantastic covers this year and while I, on and off, make a point to talk about covers in reviews, I don’t really focus on them. Cover art means a lot to me, especially for books, and so this is my way of honouring the people who take the time to turn out quality artwork.

So, each day, starting today, I will share on my blog one book and one comic cover that I consider to be the finest example from what’s come out this year. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have in putting the list together. This page will consolidate all the posts so that you have a handy reference to them.

Day 1: The Merchant of Dreams by Anne Lyle (Angry Robot Books) and Star Wars #1 by Brian Wood and Carlos D’Anda (Dark Horse Comics)

Day 2: Van Horstmann by Ben Counter (Black Library) and Justice League of America #1 by Geoff Johns and David Finch (DC Comics)

Day 3: Gemsigns by Stephanie Saulter (Jo Fletcher Books) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Secret History of The Foot Clan #4 by Mateus Santolouco and Erik Burnham (IDW Publishing)

Day 4: Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan (Orbit Books) and Thor: God of Thunder #7 by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic (Marvel Comics)

Day 5: Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon (Strange Chemistry Books) and X-Men #1 by Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel (Marvel Comics)

Day 6: In Thunder Forged by Ari Marmell (Pyr Books) and Red Sonja #1 by Gail Simone and Walter Geovani (Dynamite Entertainment)

Day 7: Hellfire by Jean Johnson (Ace Books) and Trinity War (Part 1) by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke, Jeff Lemire and Mikel Janin (DC Comics)

Day 8: The Daedalus Incident by Michael Martinez (Night Shade Books) and Trillium #1 by Jeff Lemire (Vertigo Comics)

Day 9: The Razor’s Edge by Martha Wells (Del Rey Books) and The Star Wars #1 by J. W. Rinzler and Mike Mayhew (Dark Horse Comics)

Day 10: The Deaths of Tao by Wesley Chu (Angry Robot Books) and Witchblade #170 by Ron Marz and Laura Braga (Top Cow Comics)

Day 11: Fortune’s Pawn by Rachel Back (Orbit Books) and Green Arrow #25 by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino (DC Comics)

Day 12: The Adversary by Erin M. Evans (Wizards of The Coast) and Black Science #2 by Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera (Image Comics)