Friday, August 22, 2008

New Cover Artist Josh Middleton


When DC announced the new creative team for Supergirl, it included cover artist Joshua Middleton. Now I have to be honest that while I had seen his covers before, I did not know enough about him to place a name with a style.

I think everyone was pretty blown away by his first cover Supergirl #34 with Kara literally exploding out of Cat Grant’s editorial as she fights Silver Banshee.


Now on Middleton’s blog ( http://joshuamiddleton.blogspot.com/ ) he shows us the cover for Supergirl #36 (Supergirl #35 is the Ross cover).

I am really impressed with Middleton’s art for a number of reasons. For one, it is a very dynamic style. Even though these are static scenes, there is a sense of motion, of action here. You can feel Supergirl bursting from the cover of 34. For the issue 36 cover, you can almost hear her yelling as the heat vision erupts from her eyes. You can almost feel the blast blowing her hair back. It isn't easy to convey energy and movement on a cover, but I think he succeeds. I love these covers, and the books aren't even out yet. But here's more:


As another example look at this cover from Runaways #11. Can’t you just get the sense of Dagger leaping and twisting as she flings her energy bolts here? Or this one from Justice League Classified #52. Can’t you feel Wonder Woman straining against her magic lasso trying to subdue this monster?


And his style seems a perfect fit for Supergirl. He draws young woman very nicely. There is a hint of manga here, but it is not overwhelming. I love this cover of Serenity #3, showcasing River. There is a quiet power here.


The women are drawn without the usual pulchritude or exaggerated curves we see all too often. Their poses are usually strong and powerful. He can do sexy too; here is XMen Unlimited #40. It's an understated sexy though and I doubt he'll go that route with Kara.


I also love the expansive palette he uses to color these, which adds to the depth and vitality of the pieces.

Look at this cover from New Mutants #3. Can’t you feel the energy crackling and bristling over this mutant (who I think is Magik but I am probably wrong)?

Anyways, I felt remiss in ignoring this member of the new creative team and felt a little showcase was warranted. I am really impressed by the 2 Supergirl covers we have seen so far and look forward to future issues.

15 comments:

Heath Edwards said...

you're absolutely right. middleton as some great art out there... i really enjoyed his 'nyx' covers, too...
very happy that he's been given the supergirl covers, with the new team. it almost feels like a volume reboot.

Anj said...

very happy that he's been given the supergirl covers, with the new team. it almost feels like a volume reboot.

It really does feel like a soft reboot.

While I liked the Puckett run, I am really excited for the new team. If she is portrayed like she has been in Action, I think I am going to like the run very much.

Anonymous said...

It really does feel like a soft reboot.

Y'know, actually, now that you both have mentioned this, i too third that apparent feeling here!

While I liked the Puckett run, I am really excited for the new team. If she is portrayed like she has been in Action, I think I am going to like the run very much.

Oh 100% fully agreed with! It seems just like with Power Girl, i.e. Kara's own E-2 alternate ELDER adult (only REALLY busty) twin counterpart earth self come JSoA title Geoff just seems to actually GET Supergirl's voice too it seems just judging what he co-wrote with Buseik in tow come their Post-IC/One Year Later eras then "Up, Up, And Away" collab arc (which she is seen first having encountered the all new Kryptonite man) at the time through to his now recent attempt at using Supergirl come HIS own reign on Action Comics itself too!

P.S. Man that there cover for #36 looks seriously kick ass!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. That's a look of sheer teenage exuberance at being able to do something awesome.

I'm very impressed by Middleton's command of light source and shadow, especially on the two Supergirl covers. Gives them an almost 3-D effect.

Anj said...

Beautiful. That's a look of sheer teenage exuberance at being able to do something awesome.

I'm very impressed by Middleton's command of light source and shadow, especially on the two Supergirl covers. Gives them an almost 3-D effect.


I agree, just great stuff there. I think dynamic best describes it ... alive and real.

And he seems like such a natural for a title like this. Kudos to DC for signing him up.

Anj said...
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Anj said...

P.S. Man that there cover for #36 looks seriously kick ass!

I agree.

Both his covers could be posters or prints.

Anonymous said...

He's an incredibly talented guy. I'm sure the #34 cover will bring new readers to the book. Do we know what the alternate cover for that issue is yet?

Also, you didn't mention this absolutely amazing Supergirl cover which hasn't been matched with a book yet.

http://joshuamiddleton.blogspot.com/2008/02/supergirl.html

Anonymous said...

Also, you didn't mention this absolutely amazing Supergirl cover which hasn't been matched with a book yet.

http://joshuamiddleton.blogspot.com/2008/02/supergirl.html

My God! That's a truly a beautiful as well as charming pic all at the same time of Supergirl that I've seen to date! Man I pray that's the cover used for issue #37! wow!

Thanks, anonymous! :)

Just off topic, anj, have you read as of yet first issue just out of Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds? The only reason I ask is that it apparently not only deals with Superman and the so called "Legion of 3 Worlds" concept itself but it also near the very end seems to be implying that Mr. Geoff Johns MIGHT just might have plans in wanting to include Supergirl being re united with the Waid/Kitson current Legion team (i.e. the so called "third Legion") in order to aid her "New Earth" cousin Superman and the OTHER 2 Legions themselves from the looks of it now too!

Do you think it might be worth reviewing in turn? :)

Anj said...

He's an incredibly talented guy. I'm sure the #34 cover will bring new readers to the book. Do we know what the alternate cover for that issue is yet?

The variant is being done by Fernando Pasarin but has not been released yet. I did a piece on him sometime within the last month, I forget which post.

Also, you didn't mention this absolutely amazing Supergirl cover which hasn't been matched with a book yet.

http://joshuamiddleton.blogspot.com/2008/02/supergirl.html


I can't thank you enough for pointing it out. It was so good it got its own post.

Thanks sooo much!

Anj said...

Mr. Geoff Johns MIGHT just might have plans in wanting to include Supergirl being re united with the Waid/Kitson current Legion team (i.e. the so called "third Legion") in order to aid her "New Earth" cousin Superman and the OTHER 2 Legions themselves from the looks of it now too!

Thanks for the post.

Kara *is* shown in the last pages as we see the three Legions that will be gathered. I might wait and see if she actually shows up. If she does I will review the whole series.

As a Legion fan too, I thought the first issue was great and the mini looks like a fun ride.

Anj said...
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Anonymous said...

Legion of 3 Worlds raises the usual question of "when the heck is this taking place?" DC has done a horrible job of making sure all the pieces line up with Final Crisis. Anyway, it would be cool to see Supergirl back with Legion #3. They could use her help.

Anonymous said...

Do we know what the alternate cover for that issue is yet?

The variant is being done by Fernando Pasarin but has not been released yet. I did a piece on him sometime within the last month, I forget which post.


Really? I honestly never new that the variant of said issue would be done by Mr. Pasarin myself there. Kewl! :)

Kara *is* shown in the last pages as we see the three Legions that will be gathered. I might wait and see if she actually shows up. If she does I will review the whole series.

Awesome! Here's honestly hoping you do just do just that, man!

As a Legion fan too, I thought the first issue was great and the mini looks like a fun ride.

Yeah? You are a Legion fan too it seems! Heh. SAME HERE! ;) Just like you i too felt that Mr. Geoff Johns just MIGHT have something on his hands here that will possibly go down as possibly 2nd greatest Legion story arc to that of the actual "The Great Darkness Saga" itself. :D

Anj said...

Yeah? You are a Legion fan too it seems! Heh. SAME HERE! ;) Just like you i too felt that Mr. Geoff Johns just MIGHT have something on his hands here that will possibly go down as possibly 2nd greatest Legion story arc to that of the actual "The Great Darkness Saga" itself.

Like most Legion fans I am a stickler for continuity. So I am hoping that Johns will be able to explain the 3 Legion premise in a way that is satifying. I prefer having only one Legion in continuity at a time.

I suppose with a multiverse available now, that is an easy enough solution.