Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover–Issue Forty-Eight: Graphic Novels (Part 2)

“Do! Judge A Book By Its Cover” is a regular feature on Pop! Goes The Reader in which I pay tribute to some of the best and brightest the publishing world has to offer in the way of book cover design. This feature is inspired by Katie’s feature Cover Love on her blog One Page At A Time. The idea is being used with her gracious permission.

I think we’re all familiar with the age-old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. And you know what I have to say about that? Rubbish! Covers are an invaluable part of a book’s package. A truly great cover can tell you a lot about the novel contained within its pages. Book covers can also catch your attention and attract you to a novel you might otherwise ignore. So go ahead, judge a book by its cover – We all do it!

I’ll be the first to admit that my knowledge of graphic novels is negligible at best, but that never stops me from admiring their truly magnificent covers each and every time I find myself in the bookstore. There’s something about the vibrancy of colour and movement that never fails to capture my attention, and I would love to have the opportunity to better familiarize myself with this category of literature. The problem is, I don’t know where to start! Do you have a favourite graphic novel or one you think would act as the perfect introduction for someone new to and unfamiliar with the genre? Let me know in the comments – I would love to hear from you! Some of my favourite covers this week include Fish by Bianca Bagnarelli, Dockwood by Jon McNaught, Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson, Adventure Time With Fionna & Cake by Natasha Allegri, The Motherless Oven by Rob Davis, Nimona by Noelle Stevenson, Through The Woods by Emily Carroll, White Rapids by Pascal Blanchet and Here by Richard McGuire.

Fish by Bianca Bagnarelli ● Alex + Ada by Jonathan Luna ● Dockwood by Jon McNaught

The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen ● Adventure Time With Fionna & Cake by Natasha Allegri ● Shoplifter by Michael Cho

Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson ● Adventure Time With Fionna & Cake by Natasha Allegri ● Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction

Deadly Class by Rick Remender ● Angry Youth Comix by Johnny Ryan ● Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi

Explorer: The Hidden Doors by Kazu Kibuishi ● The Motherless Oven by Rob Davis ● Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Captain Marvel by Kelly Sue DeConnick ● Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson ● Fairy Tale Comics by Chris Duffy

How Mirka Met a Meteorite by Barry Deutsch ● The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen ● Through The Woods by Emily Carroll

White Rapids by Pascal Blanchet ● Here by Richard McGuire ● Hansel and Gretel by Neil Gaiman

Now it’s your turn! What are some of your favourite graphic novels covers? Did I list one of your favourites here or is there one I forgot that just has to be included? Let me know in the comments!