10/23 - Not so Great a Week for Sexy Covers

Well, one has to qualify such a statement. In a week dominated by a bevy of wonderful covers for Marvel's AMAZING MARY JANE #1, one of the sexiest characters in the history of comics, any other book's cover was bound to look pale by comparison. But even if Mary Jane hadn't hit the stands with the power of a viral event, this week's covers are really not that sexy. Marvel seems to have exhausted its libido in Mary Jane's covers, while DC, continuing its Year of the Villain event and correspective penchant for characterless death-and-desolation covers, doens't even try to be sensual. So, most of the covers that make up this week's selection, are included through somewhat of a knee-reaction process: sure, VAN HELSING vs THE DAUGHTER OF DRACULA #3's cover is not that great, but it features Liesel Van Helsing on the cover, with big gun, strong thighs and sexy fishnet stockings, so it's in.  Almost the same for Zenescope's UNBOUND #1: Vitorino and Nunes's main cover makes the selection not because it features a sexy new action-girl with bustier and looks-like-they're-painted-on leggings, but for the involuntary tittilation that results from its pairing with Keith Carvey's lingerie variant cover.

In their cover for DETECTIVE COMICS #1014, Mahnke and Baron resort to the timelessly erotic subconcious motif of the beautiful blonde in short white virginal dress (or dare I say, nightgown?, for it sure looks like it) inadevertently masturbating a big symbolic phallic gun. It is this motif, more than the drawing itself (too full of pencil lines that should have beeen erased insted of inked), that justifies its inclusion. So, for me, the best cover from this week's DC roster comes courtesy of Lee Weeks in BATMAN BEYOND #37, with its wonderful "Batwoman Beyond" emerging from the surrounding blackness like a furious erotic dream, all of her sensuous curves, solid flesh, and flaring hips.

Finally, the two best covers of the week, although, like the others I've already addressed, not that sexy, are the ones for ARCHIE vs PREDATOR II #3, wich emulates the iconic movie poster for 1985's Andy Sidari's cult classic MALIBU EXPRESS, substituting Betty and Veronica for the original actresses, and with the Predator's thumb daringly caressing the underside of Betty's breast; and Lukas Ketner's cover for COUNT CROWLEY: RELUCTANT MIDNIGHT MONSTER HUNTER #1, because I can't resist an Elsa Lanchester/Bride of Frankenstein-like hair in any circumstance, and even less when it comes together with sexy ghoulish girl with big breasts, a looks-like-it's-been-sprayed-on tank top and Dracula-like cape, stting on an electric chair and being menaced by furry claws.     

Covers for: Van Helsing by Anthony Spay & Ivan Nunes; Unbound by Igor Vitorino & Ivan Nunes; and Keith Carvey; Detective Comics by Doug Mahnke & David Baron; Batman Beyon by Lee Weeks; Archie vs Predator by  Robert Hack & Kelly Fitzpatrick; and Count Crowley by Lukas Ketner