This entry continues my selections for top Avengers covers. These are, of course, my personal choices - there may not be any science involved is said selection, and it may come as a surprise to others as to why I may have chosen one cover and not another. The answer is simple... the cover was chosen because it appealed to me in a visual manner - meaning, had I passed a comic store and saw these titles for the first time, they would possibly elicit a 'wow!' from me. After all, in purchasing a comic - though the cover isn't the be all and end all of the selection, it's what initially draws the attention... and in said attention gotten, it can make a difference in whether the comic's issue would be bought or not. Anyway, off to the countdown.
Number 10 - issue 200
I rarely like anniversary covers - more often than not, they don't really convey what is happening inside the issue, since the creative team would most likely want to emphasize the milestone number rather than what the story may entail. Unfortunately, this issue is no exception, however... it also happens to be an issue done by Gentleman George Perez, and despite its seeming campiness (probably because of the Beast).
But setting aside the large 200 (which was meant more like an advertisement for the title's longevity), one can't help but realize why George was so popular with the fans - I mean, look at those master strokes... the details. You can't really call that artwork hokey. Iron Man, the Scarlet Witch, Ms. Marvel... these three are drawn masterfully - and lets not forget the Vision seemingly flying in between the title and the number. So yeah... just because its George and his ability to squeeze in a lot of Avengers, this cover makes my list.
Number 9 - issue 201
Another George Perez masterpiece - and what makes it unique (from a whimsy standpoint) is the fact that Jarvis is the focus of the cover. Looking at the said cover begs the question 'what exactly is Jarvis referring to?' as he makes a near heroic pose - armed with nothing but a vacuum cleaner... as the assembled Avengers watch with a bemused manner - well, with exception to the Vision and Iron Man.
Again, the art is masterfully done - actually, more so than issue 200's rendition; in fact, I had to do a double take to make sure it was the same George Perez doing said art for this issue (it's definitely not John Byrne, that's for sure)... perhaps the inker? Most likely the difference is because of the inker. Or maybe George had more time to come up with this cover? After all, its possible that the cover of 200 might have been changed - hence the semi-rushed look. Whatever the case, the cover got my attention among all the other covers - which was more than enough to include it in the top ten.
Number 8 - issue 204
Trapped in the island of the Yellow Claw calls attention due to its action. Here we see a larger than life Yellow Claw - a villain who's been around since the pulp fiction days, which may have added to my interest - but given the possibility of it being any other villain, its how said villain stuck a pose that is threatening (despite his just seemingly standing there - which can be interpreted as an image gloating while the battle rages), possibly due to the visage presented by the Yellow Claw, and the drones which are attacking the Avengers.
I'm at a loss as to who the cover artist is, but the feeling conveyed by said cover's action is one that seems to promise a serious and intense battle within the issue's pages After all, isn't that the purpose of covers? To somehow convey what the issue promises?
Number 7 - issue 292
It Came from the Depths shows another action oriented cover. People who aren't following the story will just assume that the Avengers are arriving hot with the Quinjet - including Thor who's riding the jet's top for reasons I can only guess at as opposed to using Mjolnir and flying independently like Captain (Monica) Marvel - but admit it... this adds to the sense of urgency as the Quinjet can travel much faster - and apparently, speed was needed in this situation.
In reality, said monster is Marina - former Alpha Flight member, bride to Namor; who is currently an Avenger on leave. So knowing this gives the cover an added sense of urgency - this is not just a monster that should be stopped, but a friend who should be saved. A task that may not be so easy to do, considering Marina's strength - a fact presented in the cover by way of showing her ramming (or biting off) a portion of the battle ship. The other Avengers at this point are the Black Knight, Doctor Druid and the She-hulk, so this roster (with exception to Thor) does not seemingly boast of too strong a line-up... hence another concern by those that follow the exploits of this team.
Number 6 - issue 254
Ultimate Vision shows a sneering face of the Vision (who is in virtual form as he has tapped and taken control of all the computers in the U.S. - if not the world), while the Avengers are seemingly floating around - helpless. So definitely, this is a dramatic cover that conveys what is happening in the issue - it summarizes the situation very clearly... the problem is not a villain as we know it. The problem is an avenger gone bad.
Coloring the entire cover - with exception to the Vision's face; which is just in black and white, further emphasizes the visage of the Vision as a seemingly uncaring (though ironically feeling) synthezoid.
The Vision's actions here will eventually have repercussions which will lead to his being disassembled by government scientists in the pages of West Coast Avengers.
Number 10 - issue 200
I rarely like anniversary covers - more often than not, they don't really convey what is happening inside the issue, since the creative team would most likely want to emphasize the milestone number rather than what the story may entail. Unfortunately, this issue is no exception, however... it also happens to be an issue done by Gentleman George Perez, and despite its seeming campiness (probably because of the Beast).
But setting aside the large 200 (which was meant more like an advertisement for the title's longevity), one can't help but realize why George was so popular with the fans - I mean, look at those master strokes... the details. You can't really call that artwork hokey. Iron Man, the Scarlet Witch, Ms. Marvel... these three are drawn masterfully - and lets not forget the Vision seemingly flying in between the title and the number. So yeah... just because its George and his ability to squeeze in a lot of Avengers, this cover makes my list.
Another George Perez masterpiece - and what makes it unique (from a whimsy standpoint) is the fact that Jarvis is the focus of the cover. Looking at the said cover begs the question 'what exactly is Jarvis referring to?' as he makes a near heroic pose - armed with nothing but a vacuum cleaner... as the assembled Avengers watch with a bemused manner - well, with exception to the Vision and Iron Man.
Again, the art is masterfully done - actually, more so than issue 200's rendition; in fact, I had to do a double take to make sure it was the same George Perez doing said art for this issue (it's definitely not John Byrne, that's for sure)... perhaps the inker? Most likely the difference is because of the inker. Or maybe George had more time to come up with this cover? After all, its possible that the cover of 200 might have been changed - hence the semi-rushed look. Whatever the case, the cover got my attention among all the other covers - which was more than enough to include it in the top ten.
Trapped in the island of the Yellow Claw calls attention due to its action. Here we see a larger than life Yellow Claw - a villain who's been around since the pulp fiction days, which may have added to my interest - but given the possibility of it being any other villain, its how said villain stuck a pose that is threatening (despite his just seemingly standing there - which can be interpreted as an image gloating while the battle rages), possibly due to the visage presented by the Yellow Claw, and the drones which are attacking the Avengers.
I'm at a loss as to who the cover artist is, but the feeling conveyed by said cover's action is one that seems to promise a serious and intense battle within the issue's pages After all, isn't that the purpose of covers? To somehow convey what the issue promises?
It Came from the Depths shows another action oriented cover. People who aren't following the story will just assume that the Avengers are arriving hot with the Quinjet - including Thor who's riding the jet's top for reasons I can only guess at as opposed to using Mjolnir and flying independently like Captain (Monica) Marvel - but admit it... this adds to the sense of urgency as the Quinjet can travel much faster - and apparently, speed was needed in this situation.
In reality, said monster is Marina - former Alpha Flight member, bride to Namor; who is currently an Avenger on leave. So knowing this gives the cover an added sense of urgency - this is not just a monster that should be stopped, but a friend who should be saved. A task that may not be so easy to do, considering Marina's strength - a fact presented in the cover by way of showing her ramming (or biting off) a portion of the battle ship. The other Avengers at this point are the Black Knight, Doctor Druid and the She-hulk, so this roster (with exception to Thor) does not seemingly boast of too strong a line-up... hence another concern by those that follow the exploits of this team.
Number 6 - issue 254Ultimate Vision shows a sneering face of the Vision (who is in virtual form as he has tapped and taken control of all the computers in the U.S. - if not the world), while the Avengers are seemingly floating around - helpless. So definitely, this is a dramatic cover that conveys what is happening in the issue - it summarizes the situation very clearly... the problem is not a villain as we know it. The problem is an avenger gone bad.
Coloring the entire cover - with exception to the Vision's face; which is just in black and white, further emphasizes the visage of the Vision as a seemingly uncaring (though ironically feeling) synthezoid.
The Vision's actions here will eventually have repercussions which will lead to his being disassembled by government scientists in the pages of West Coast Avengers.
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