Artists Andy Kubert and Mike Deodato, Jr. will provide the covers for The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #43, which is due on sale on July 17, 2013, Gemstone Publishing has announced.
The announcement accompanies a teaser ad in the March 2013 issue of Previews from Diamond Comic Distributors; the covers will be revealed in coming weeks. The volume will be solicited in the April edition of Previews.
In a vibrant and distinguished career, Andy Kubert has touched many characters, including work on the recently completed high profile Before Watchmen: Nite Owl mini-series, as well as stints ranging from Batman vs. Predator and Adam Strange to X-Men and Wolverine: Origin. Among many other assignments, he's illustrated Marvel’s 1602 and DC’s two-part “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” both written by Neil Gaiman.
Following work on Innovation’s Beauty and the Beast and DC’s Wonder Woman, Mike Deodato, Jr. grabbed fans’ attention with the “World Engine” story arc in Thor and he hasn’t let go since. Since then, he’s illustrated runs on Amazing Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk and a string of Avengers titles including Avengers, Dark Avengers, New Avengers and Secret Avengers, all to fan acclaim.
“We’re very happy to have these two brilliant artists on our covers for this year’s Guide,” said associate publisher J.C. Vaughn. “They continue a standard set by author and publisher Bob Overstreet when he began featuring original art on the cover of the industry’s Bible in 1974, and we can’t wait for fans to see their work!”
There is a long history of distinguished artists turning in superb efforts when they have received the cover assignment for The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. After then-fan Don Newton turned in the first original art cover for #4, Andy Kubert’s father, Joe, illustrated his famous Tarzan cover for #5, which remains one of the most highly regarded in the series. It was the first professionally illustrated cover.
Joe Kubert’s piece was followed in succession by Will Eisner (#6), Carl Barks (#7), Bill Ward (#8), Wally Wood (#9), and Alex Schomburg (#10). In short order, L.B. Cole, Norman Mingo, Murphy Anderson, C.C. Beck, Carmine Infantino, and Jerry Robinson, joined roster, establishing being named Guide cover artist as a career benchmark in the minds of many.
Over the ensuing years, John Romita, Sr., John Romita, Jr., Mike Parobek, Mark Bagley, Alex Ross, Al Feldstein, Al Williamson, John K. Snyder III, Rex Lindsey, Joe Simon, Daan Jipes, John Stanley, George Pérez, Jim Lee, Billy Tucci, Mark Sparacio, Doug Wheatley, and Shelly Moldoff were featured.
Since the Guide’s move to a July release celebrating its fourth decade with The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #40, the covers have showcased works by Mark Chiarello, Darwyn Cooke, John Romita, Jr. & Klaus Janson, Walter Simonson, Amanda Conner, John Romita, Sr. & Tom Palmer, Joe Jusko, Adam Hughes, and Matt Wagner.
