When it comes to comics, judging a book by its cover isn't always the worst idea - particularly since so many artists in 2021 brought their best throughout the year. Many publishers had incredible covers gracing their titles. Among the best were Marvel, DC Comics, Image Comics, and Boom! Studios.
With so many major milestones being hit this year, such as 80th anniversaries for many of comics' greatest heroes, there were plenty of covers to choose from. Art is often in the eye of the beholder, but the many eyes at Screen Rant think these are the unmissable ones from this year. Here are the best comic covers from 2021.
Something is Killing the Children #15 - Zoe Lacchei
James Tynion IV, Werther Dell'Edera, Miquel Muerto, AndWorld Design (Editors: Eric Harburn, Gwen Waller)
This variant cover was an exclusive for Trinity Comics. This cover from Zoe Lacchei for Boom! Studios captures the essence of the series, while visually differentiating itself from the rest of the series' covers. It is much brighter with its all-white background, but Erica Slaughter as the central focus is gorgeous. The cover includes a mini version of the foes Erica faces, while still including Something is Killing the Children’s core horror elements through the eating of blood-splattered paper children. This cover is a beautiful blend of art and horror - without verging into grotesque territory.
Nightwing #79 - Bruno Redondo
Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, Wes Abbott (Editors: Jessica Chen, Ben Abernathy, Jessica Berbey)
This cover is the second printing variant for Nightwing #79. While many of the series' covers are amazing, this one is the best of them all. It presents a brief visual history of Dick Grayson in a creative climb during one of the characters' BEST years. Redondo's art for Nightwing is stellar and this cover is no exception. We can't wait to see his next adventures - and the new covers he'll have - in 2022.
Dark Knights of Steel #1 - Joshua Middleton
Tom Taylor, Yasmine Putri, Arif Prianto (Editor: Marie Javins)
This variant cover for Dark Knights of Steel puts Batman front and center in a new twist on the name, the Dark Knight. Batman has often had alterations in his appearance and he's appeared on many covers, but this one from Joshua Middleton is especially incredible. The caped crusader is often associated with gritty streets of crime, but the fantasy elements incorporated here don't harsh his vibe at all. Batman still appears prepared for anything, no matter what universe or era he is artistically thrown into.
Primordial #1 - Bjorn Barends
Jeff Lemire, Andrea Sorrentino, Dave Stewart, Steve Wands (Editor: Greg Lockard)
This variant for Primordial #1 was one of many and it's certainly the best. The series from Image Comics deals with animals that went into space as test subjects during the late 1950s, including Laika. Able and Baker, a rhesus monkey and a squirrel monkey respectively, head up this cover by Bjorn Barends that mixes the wonders of space with the pair of space explorers beautifully.
Alien #1 - Peach Momoko
Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Salvador Larroca, Guru eFX, Clayton Cowles (Editors: C. B. Cebulski, Jake Thomas, Shannon Andrews Ballesteros)
2021 was a big year for Alien and Predator, as xenomorphs and yautja found a new home at Marvel. Peach Momoko also had an incredible year with numerous gorgeous comic covers across many titles. One of her best - and an incredible marker of her artistic style - is this variant cover for Alien #1. Momoko is capable of making iconic characters (and creatures) beautiful and deadly, simultaneously. The circular visuals of the xenomorph eggs and xenomorph tail, paired with a signature xenomorph queen shape, create a deadly and mesmerizing nest of terror.
Static: Season 1 #4 - Nikolas Draper-Ivey
Vita Ayala, ChrisCross, Nikolas Draper-Ivy, AndWorld Design (Editors: Chris Draper, Marquis Draper)
This cover for Static: Season One is a gorgeous dual homage to the hit manga and anime, Akira, and Static's roots with Milestone Comics. It puts Virgil Hawkins in the place of Kaneda, using a gorgeous watercolor style. It also places the Milestone logo in the place of Kaneda's bike. Static has gradually been walking into a new future, without losing the core of who he is and what he means to comic fans who love Milestone and Static Shock.
Black Panther #1 - Alex Ross
John Ridley, Juann Cabal, Federico Blee, Joe Sabino (Editors: C. B. Cebulski, Wil Moss, Kat Gregorowicz)
This cover for Black Panther's newest adventure is nothing short of incredible. T'Challa has been to the stars and back, giving him a new view of the world. He takes center stage on this stunning cover from comic art legend Alex Ross, though it also features many other Marvel heroes including Blade, She-Hulk, and Captain America. T'Challa - and his ability to stun in comic covers - knows no bounds.
DC Pride #1 - Jen Bartel
DC Comic Anthology (Editors: Marie Javins, Chris Conroy, Michael McCalister, Jessica Chen, Amedeo Turturro, Andrea Shea, Diego Lopez)
Harley and Ivy have been DC's it-couple this year and in a variant cover from Jen Bartel for DC Pride #1 it is no wonder why. They are gorgeously depicted in this vibrant art that just exudes love and beauty. As both friends and lovers, these iconic DC villains never cease to amaze. Bartel had numerous incredible covers this year, but this one is definitely near the top of this year's list of covers.
Heroes Reborn #1 - Jeffrey Veregge
Jason Aaron, Ed McGuinness, Mark Morales, Matt Wilson, Cory Petit (Editors: C. B. Cebulski, Tom Brevoort, Alanna Smith, Martin Biro)
Jeffrey Veregge, from the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, has had numerous incredible covers. Screen Rant's pick this year is his variant for Heroes Reborn #1. It presents Marvel's classic heroes, as well as its Justice League pastiche team, in a Native American art style. This artistic reimagining of Earth's Mightiest Heroes is beautiful and the comic community needs more of Veregge's style in the future.
Immortal Hulk #42 - Alex Ross
Al Ewing, Adam Gorham, Rachael Stott, Alex Lins, Joe Bennett, Ruy José, Chris O'Halloran, Paul Mounts, Cory Petit (Editors: Wil Moss, Tom Brevoort, Sarah Brunstad, C. B. Cebulski)
Alex Ross is an artistic legend in comics, so his inclusion in the year's best comic covers twice shouldn't come as a surprise. This cover for Immortal Hulk is a stunning take on the triptych painting The Garden of Earthly Delights by Renaissance artist Hieronymus Bosch. The issue came out at the beginning of the year, but could not be surpassed. This series pits the eponymous hero against many demons, making Bosch's work a fitting artistic influence. Immortal Hulk #42 is the BEST comic cover of 2021 and we wouldn't mind having a Hulk-centric triptych.