Cover Story: Best Comic Book Covers of June 2012

Each month, hundreds of comics are released to stores for the hungry masses of fans around the world. To stand out on the shelves, you have to put the great art up front. You can judge a book by its cover.

Welcome back to our continuing monthly column aimed at finding some of our favourite covers for the month. In June, the traditional midway point of the year, we’ve got twenty outstanding front bits to our favourite form of graphic storytelling fun. These columns can sometimes get a little dark, so it’s great to be able to include at least one clown (Shaky Kane’s The Bulletproof Coffin: Disinterested #6), some toys (the always reliable Joao Ruas on Fables #118) and whatever the hell that freakout is on Rob Guillroy’s Chew #27. The art of J.H. Williams III, Phil Noto, Scottie Young, Rafael Grampá and Michael Komarck all make return visits to this column, along with new entries from Dave Eaglesham,  David Yardin and the timeless awesomeness of Alex Maleev. There’s also a debut comic this month, The Massive #1 from Dark Horse Kristian Donaldson. i09 has a great article on the creation of this cover.

Batman Incorporated #2 (DC Comics) - Artist: Chris Burnham

Batman Incorporated #2 (DC Comics) – Artist: Chris Burnham

Batwoman #10 (DC) - Artist: J.H. Williams III

Batwoman #10 (DC) – Artist: J.H. Williams III

The Bulletproof Coffin: Disinterested #6 (Image) - Artist: Shaky Kane

The Bulletproof Coffin: Disinterested #6 (Image) – Artist: Shaky Kane

Buffy - Season 9 - Cover #10 (Artist: Phil Noto)

Buffy: The Vampire Slayer – Season 9 – Cover #10 (Artist: Phil Noto)

Chew #27 (Image) - Cover: Rob Guillroy

Chew #27 (Image) – Cover: Rob Guillroy

Dark Tower: The Man in Black #1 (Marvel) - Artist: Alex Maleev

Dark Tower: The Man in Black #1 (Marvel) – Artist: Alex Maleev

Dominique Laveau: Voodoo Child #4 (DC/Vertigo) - Artist: Rafael Grampa

Dominique Laveau: Voodoo Child #4 (DC/Vertigo) – Artist: Rafael Grampá

Dorothy & The Wizard in Oz  #8 - Scottie Young

Dorothy & The Wizard in Oz  #8 (Marvel) – Scottie Young

Fables #118 (DC/Vertigo) - Artist: Joao Ruas

Fables #118 (DC/Vertigo) – Artist: Joao Ruas

Fairest #4 (DC/Vertigo) - Artist: Adam Hughes

Fairest #4 (DC/Vertigo) – Artist: Adam Hughes

Fury MAX #3 (Marvel) - Artist: Dave Johnson

Fury MAX #3 (Marvel) – Artist: Dave Johnson

Haunt #27 (Image) - Artist: Nathan Fox

Haunt #27 (Image) – Artist: Nathan Fox

Hulk #53 (Marvel) - Artist: Dale Eaglesham

Hulk #53 (Marvel) – Artist: Dale Eaglesham

The Incredible Hulk #9 (Marvel) - Artist: Michael Komarck

The Incredible Hulk #9 (Marvel) – Artist: Michael Komarck

The Massive #1 (Dark Horse) - Artist: Kristian Donaldson

The Massive #1 (Dark Horse) – Artist: Kristian Donaldson

The Shade #9 (DC) - Artist: Tony Harris

The Shade #9 (DC) – Artist: Tony Harris

Wolverine #308 (Marvel) - Artist: Chris Samnee

Wolverine #308 (Marvel) – Artist: Chris Samnee

Wonder Woman #10 (DC) - Artist: Cliff Chiang

Wonder Woman #10 (DC) – Artist: Cliff Chiang

X-Factor #237 (Marvel) - Artist: David Yardin

X-Factor #237 (Marvel) – Artist: David Yardin

X-Men #30 (Marvel) - Artist: Jorge Molina

X-Men #30 (Marvel) – Artist: Jorge Molina