Comic Review: Cover # 2 (DC Comics)

We’re plunging into the second issue of Cover, from Brian Michael Bendis’ imprint Jinxworld, published by DC Comics.

‘Cover’ has a fun concept: what if a comic book artist is recruited by the CIA?

The second issue (illustrated by David Mack, with digital colouring by Zu Orzu, and lettering by Carlos M. Mangual) picks up where the first issue left off: Max, our comic artist, is being questioned by someone. Well, questioned might be putting it mildly: try ‘interrogated with fists’. It all has to do with Max appearing at an Istanbul comic convention, his appearance sponsored by… the CIA???

Cover and a nicely chosen title for various obvious reasons (and note that each issue features recent cover illustrations as bonus material) has a unique visual style. Or a combination of styles. There is a wonderful watercolour technique being used, which runs counterpoint to the rougher scenes in the book. Those have a gritty, grey colouring and heavy use of black. Well done.

The story is also really good, and easy to follow. We hope Max survives his questioning, and we question what we might do in his shoes.

There is a lot of depth to this comic, it isn’t simply a fanboy/comic artist fantasy. Worth checking out!

DC Comics, Cover #2, $3.99 for 28 pages of comic story content. No rating indicated, assume Mature