Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Action Comics 870 Variant Cover


My thanks to talos and others who let me know about this great Andy Kubert variant cover for Action Comics #870 which is coming out today. I have read the spoilers about the death in this issue, not that it shocks me. No need to get more specific right now;I am sure I will have a review up within a few days.

As I have said recently, I am really impressed with the Supergirl promotion blitz which DC has been doing recently. This is a great example. This is a Superman book, but the variant cover is a showcase for Kara.

I love the layout here as well. Kubert puts Supergirl in a classic heroic position as she streaks to stop Brainiac's solar aggressor. And I love the intense look on her face. If this cover represents what happens in the issue, then Supergirl might be the hero who saves Earth from destruction, while Superman defeats Brainiac. How great would that be! Kara has been so scarred by Brainiac, by the destruction of Krypton and Argo City. It would be wonderful for the growth of her character to actually be able to say 'I saved my new world!'

Although I like Andy and Adam Kubert's art, Joe is my favorite Kubert.

Here is Adam Kubert's take on Supergirl. This is the variant cover of Supergirl #23, Kelley Puckett's first issue.

11 comments:

Nikki said...

I hate hate hate kuberts drawings of kara especially

Diana_Fan said...

I really like that cover, but my LCS didn't get it in. :(

Anj said...

I hate hate hate kuberts drawings of kara especially

What is it you don't like? I have never been a fan of their art either but I can't put my finger on it why.

I do think this cover is pretty good.

Anj said...

I really like that cover, but my LCS didn't get it in. :(

I'm surprised they didn't have any. It was only a 1:10 variant, not super rare.

Plenty on EBay already for low cost.

hhg said...

Wow, the variant cover looks amazing for Action Comics 870! This is probably the most heroic cover art I've seen featuring the Post Crisis Kara! I love the way she is flying- very powerful and full of determination.

When I stopped in my local comic book shop I bought the regular cover art issue. Sadly they did not have any variant covers left. I'll be checking out ebay for sure! Usually I buy back issues from mycomicbookshop or milehighcomics, but their price for this issue is $10!

Diana_Fan said...

I'm surprised they didn't have any. It was only a 1:10 variant, not super rare.

It's hard to explain. My LCS is a one of two here in town. So, you never know what's going to happen. The other shop is bigger, and you stand a better chance of getting a cover.

OTOH, in the old days, I used to get EVERY. SINGLE. SUPERGIRL. cover, and they knew that. So they got all of them there.

Now? Not quite so much.

We'll see about next week, etc.

Nikki said...

I find that neither can draw women well but that cover especially is so plain. There is no detail. Look at the rocket design, its a bare minimum, the linework is shakey and there really isn't any momentum. Kara herself just looks lazily drawn. No attention to detail on the face beyond the minimum of lines to convey expression. Her pose is that or urgency but I really don't feel it maybe because the rocket looks so damn lazy. Also they are right next to the sun that should lend to some great colouring effects. To me it looks like a sketch and is unacceptable. But maybe its because Jamal is spoiling me with his pages of striking supergirl images as well as Middleton's covers. Like you say, we've never had it so good.

now I know everyone would say 'you can't do better' and maybe not. My only art qualification is studying it until 18 before turning my back on an art history degree so I can't wag my finger with as much authority as I would like

Unknown said...

I was a sucker and picked up the variant cover. The issue was pretty good and I enjoyed it! In general, I liked how Johns wrote Kara in this Action Comics arc.

Anj said...

There is no detail. Look at the rocket design, its a bare minimum, the linework is shakey and there really isn't any momentum. Kara herself just looks lazily drawn. No attention to detail on the face beyond the minimum of lines to convey expression. Her pose is that or urgency but I really don't feel it maybe because the rocket looks so damn lazy.

Thanks for the great post and critique. I think you are spot on!

Anj said...

I was a sucker and picked up the variant cover. The issue was pretty good and I enjoyed it! In general, I liked how Johns wrote Kara in this Action Comics arc.

Thanks for the post.

I bought the variant too. I was lucky because my store knows how much I love Supergirl and threw it in my file.

Johns did do a great job with Kara here. Review for the issue will be up tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I as well also bought the variant, what with it being Supergirl and all here really. ;)