Cover Run: The Dc Comics Art of Adam Hughes

It should come as no surprise that an Adam Hughes art book is fun to look at. But, having seen some lackluster releases from other artists, I was a little worried about the quality of the book itself (paper, printing, information). Holding the book in my hands now, I can say that the same intense care Adam takes when composing a cover was applied to the assembly of this book. Adam has said for years he wanted to put out a collection of his cover art, and when given the chance, he did it right. The paper is thick, luscious, bright white paper, and the printing is very good (there were a couple of defects in my book, but they were the exception, not the rule). Certainly this is the best his art has looked ... and it has already looked pretty amazing. Each featured image is printed slightly larger than the original cover, and is accompanied by a paragraph of Adam's thoughts about the process (and a fair amount of self satire). In addition to the covers themselves, Adam shows the studies he draws leading up to a finished piece of art. These are rare glimpses into his process and are almost as interesting as the finished art.All this talk about the format, I suppose I should mention the ART. It's everything you would fantasize comic art can be. It is dramatic, funny, and sexy, all while telling a story in single images. His women are beautiful, his men handsome, but they always retain a sense of humanity and personality, and that sets Adam's work apart from most comic art. And although this book does not contain every cover he's done, I feel the art in this 208 page book is representative of Adam's career at DC. All MY favorite covers were included anyway.If you enjoy comics and/or art, I feel confident you will enjoy this book.

I've been a fan of Adam Hughes for a long long time, I was still in high school when I bought my first issue of Ghost, penciled then when he was lesser known but still amazing. I no longer really read comics, though I do occasionally pick one up when the cover art grabs my attention and I was never too big into DC; this book, even so, is worth every penny.It shows not only a much wider range of covers than I'd thought it would but also manages to capture a lot of his growth as an artist. From the days when he was a bit more generic up until he began to showcase his distinctive and beautiful "good girl" technique.My favorite part of AH is that he manages to convey so much with so little. A lot of artists tend to pack in the detail and while they too tend to have some great work, I'm always amazed by Adam's ability to capture moods and gesture with a few well-placed lines.I have only one complaint and I know that it's invalid. It's not enough! I need more, lol. I realize that this book covers his cover work on the DC universe but I want to see all of it. No doubt we'd end up with a book that would be large enough to ground a 757 and every UPS man would rue the day he was born but oh, I would live in the shadow of their hatred for such a volume.For anyone into comics, Pin-ups, Adam Hughes or just great art; I sincerely recommend this book, even if you're just thinking it might be worth taking a look at, it is, take a look!

Today isn't that hard to make beautiful illustrations. With the help of the correct software almost any artist can deliver realistic portraits and landscapes.So although all works delivered by Adam Hughes are astonishingly beautiful in form, that's not what's impressive in them.AH imagines scenes that turn fantasy characters in real figures, real persons. The relaxation seen in Power Girl's face when she's flying on her back, it's the same as anyone leisurely swimming. The pain and shame of Selina Kyle being mugshoted in the police precinct is the same as any master criminal would feel being caught. The mix of boredom and despair on Superman face while Lois Lane interviews Wonder Woman is fabulous! The terrifying madness of thorn is palpable. The "I am a goner" look of the pilot seeing WW flying toward him!Each of AH works is a masterpiece with hidden meanings, secret stories and infinite drama, joy, pleasure or pain...and frequently with loads of humor.Adam Hughes may be slow to deliver, but he knows his weakness. We, his public, know his strengths.Keep up with the good job Dr. Frankenstein (yes, this is for you AH)...like him, you also created life from characters that don't exist.

This book is so good! I bought it in December last year, and I was blown away by a bunch of his colorful art. On each page, he typed down what happened to him, and what he was struggling with. In the first few pages, he explained his experiences in drawing both interiors and comic covers when he was young. He did about 35 issues (both covers AND interior pages) in the first four years. 35 issues is a lot! As I was reading through the whole book, he had great advices and secrets! Anyway, after 200-something pages, I wanted to read it again for inspiration.In comparison of this book and other art books, this one still stands as the best art book hands down! After all the artbooks I looked into, I always turn myself to Cover Run, because of such quality he put in his work. Even after looking into Jim Lee's Icons or Alex Ross's Mythology, I STILL go back to looking at the pretty pictures Adam put in Cover Run.Great book. A lot of fun. Beautiful art. Great writing. Worth every cent!Brandon

Adam Hughes is great, He knows the woman body more than women itself. You will fall in love of a drawing. I would love to see even more graphics, there is so much explanation of how it was made that I really don't care.