eris404

I like TV.

[eris404]

Hello there.

I certainly did not think I’d be back here, and yet here I am. So glad I didn’t get rid of this account. I didn’t think I’d be back on Mastodon either. Or on Discord and Bluesky as much as I am. I never developed a community here—or anywhere really—so who gives a shit, right? Anyway not sure what this is going to be. Maybe my replacement for Instagram, the same way Bluesky replaced Twitter and Discord my messenger app(s) and Facebook groups. Same with Mastodon. The first time I tried Mastodon out not much was going on there, but I’m giving it another shot. More places to scream into the void the better.

[fightclubrat]

this is what severance is about

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--11 September 2019: Black Hammer Justice League Issue 3 (variant) by Evan Shaner

I love it when artists can come up with group “shots” that aren’t the standard running/flying at the viewer nonsense (which, if you’ve ever read any of my CotWs, you know I loathe). A mix of heroes from the DC and Black Hammer universes pose around a table for a nice photo (maybe a selfie, based on the positioning of the characters?). Except...maybe those eyes are a little vacant, the smiles a tad bit too wide. Wait. On the table. Is that....Starro?

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--28 August 2019: Tommy Gun Wizards Issue 1 (variant cover) by Declan Shalvey

Just look at this beautiful painting of my city! So brooding and moody! I can practically hear the L train screeching down the track. I’m not actually that big of a fan of the Prohibition-era history of Chicago, but I’ll give this a look: Elliot Ness takes on a magic-dealing mob. P.S. The interior art is by Sami Kivela, who drew Abbott and also has a good eye for period detail and mood.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--7 August 2019: Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds (variant) by Paul Pope

Just a really good pin-up of Larry, who generally doesn’t get much cover love.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--17 July 2019: Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen Issue 1 by Ben Oliver

Holy cats! A new Jimmy Olsen book! And with a really adorable cover, too! In spite of all the modern touches like the smartphone, there’s a wonderful retro-Norman-Rockwell feel to this one. I love the movement, the action, the exhilaration on Jimmy’s face. Plus I’d love to know the story behind that monster.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--10 July 2019: Flash Issue 74 by Doc Shaner

OK, yes, yes, I am repeating myself. There are a handful of artists I am an absolute mark for and Shaner is definitely one of them. I like his style so much: movement, emotion, vibrancy. He captures The Flash’s personality so well and I love the little story going on here. Plus it has Grodd. I love Grodd.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--20 June 2019: Skyward Issue 14 by Lee Garbett

Based on this cover, I’ve been sleeping on this book. I had seen issues of it in my local comics shop, but for some reason it didn’t catch my attention.

Well this cover did.

Like many covers I like, this one tells a story that grabs me. I have no idea what Skyward is about, but if it has an army of people riding giant insects, or tiny people riding normal-sized insects, I am in. The character in silhouette I’m assuming is the protagonist and I’m just as intrigued by them as well--I’m given just enough information to make me curious about who they are and what is actually going on here.

[eris404]

According to Tumblr, this blog turned 10 today--Happy Birthday!

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--22 May 2019: Wonder Woman Issue 71 by Jenny Frison

Jenny Frison’s art has a moodiness to it--maybe it’s in the eyes of the subjects, which always seem to pierce through you (or maybe that’s just me). I love the muted colors, the soft blues and pinks, a contrast with Wonder Woman’s normally boldly-colored armor. Even the flowers are an unusual touch, not something I would necessarily associate with a warrior goddess. Posed here with an arrow at her breast and crowned by flowers, she looks very much like a religious icon.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week: 15 May 2019: Star Wars TIE Fighter Issue 2 by Tommy Lee Edwards

Yes, I pretty much chose this cover because I am:

1. Obsessed with TIE fighters

2. Obsessed with Imperial armor of all kinds.

Both of these things are beautifully rendered here, with interesting movement and composition. I like the contrasting colors here, too; pilot uniforms are generally all black, so the red-orangy highlights really bring out the detail of the helmet.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--8 May 2019: Jim Henson Storyteller Sirens Issue 2 by Chan Chau

This is another of the limited-palette covers I like so much. The limited use of red here calls attention to Nüwa’s robe and the figure she is creating, suggesting she is transferring some of her divine power into her creation. There is an elegance to Nüwa, from the graceful loops of her snake’s tail to her lovely hands and elaborate up-do.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--6 February 2019: Cemetery Beach Issue 6 Variant by Jason Howard

There were other covers I had considered for this week’s pick, but honestly, none could beat Jason Howard out-Frank-Millering Frank Miller.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week—30 January 2019: Wonder Woman Issue 63 by Karmome Shirahama

This cover was this week’s clear winner. First, I love the use of white space and minimal color—it’s very striking. Second, I love how powerful Diana looks; not just her muscles or the ground breaking up at her feet, but that determined, focused look on her face. I love the movement in this cover, from the way her hair and skirt flow to the rocks flying up around her.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--23 January 2019: Guardians of the Galaxy Issue 1 by Bernie Wrightson (Hidden Gem Variant)

While not one of my favorite pieces by him, any time I can get a cover by Bernie Wrightson I'll take it. Even in this relatively simple cover, you can see his signature strong, detailed inking (look at all the individual blades of grass). I prefer his work uncolored so that it doesn't distract from his linework, but because the scene isn't as detailed as some of his work, I'll accept it (though all of the white space in this artwork would've been striking). The color choice is also strong, with the blue and purple contrasting nicely with red and orange.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--16 January 2019: Conan the Barbarian Issue 2 by Esad Ribic

I’ve seen a few of Esad Ribic’s covers for Marvel and I’ve been meaning to pick one of his. I like this one because, as with most of my picks, it tells a story. This cover makes me wonder what’s going on this book. Who are these guys surrounding Conan and what happens next? There’s action and anticipation here and it feels like a scene from a movie, with figures in the foreground and shallow depth of field. The muted color palette is a nice change from the usual bright, primary colors of superhero comics. Also, I just like the way he designs characters: heroic without being unrealistic, dynamic posing, expressive faces.

[eris404]

Cover of the Week--9 January 2019: None

Looking over comics covers is usually one of my favorite things to do. But this week, none of the covers inspired me and it was a chore, because I had five times as many covers to sort through. This isn’t because there are five times as many books. It’s because every comic has at least one variant cover. This is not and exaggeration, nor is it confined to DC and Marvel. One issue, Barbarella Dejah Thoris Issue 1 from Dynamite Entertainment had twelve covers. Twelve.

I can’t spend hours looking over mediocre variant covers to find the one gem among them. Maybe I’ll have better luck next week.