The Midnighter 2 cover by Chris Sprouse & Karl Story

Very nice composition and the spotting of blacks in particular is fantastic. Very nice job by both guys!

Spot-on description for a particularly spectacular cover. It has it all as you so aptly described it: the composition that is not sacrificing simplicity or clarity, the characters placements, not to mention the solid inks (also a favorite of mine) all make for a particularly impressive cover by Sprouse and Story.

And indeed, the subtle little splats of blood really give the impression that the picture has been taken mid-action at the exact right moment to catch that glorious money shot. Also fond of the sombre background that reinforces the focus on Midnighter and where the main action is at. Truly happy for you!! Looking forward to seeing the next 11 entries leading up to you birthday.

Okay, first off - the IMPORTANT part: Happy birthday, Fred.  Just had mine at the beginning of the week, and I hope yours is as wonderful. :)

Secondly, the ART (or maybe THIS is the important part...? ;) ).  Wow - what a stunner.  I'm a huge fan of machinery or industrial-style backgrounds used as 'gothic hero' atmosphere or panel borders and this is really solid work.  Lovely detail in the OA (that ultimately would have to be sacrificed for the logo, but still lovely nonetheless). 

Honestly, I haven't read as much Wildstorm stuff as I know I should have (being such a fan of all the talents involved), but the appeal to me of the material I have read is that the storytellers take the 'template' or 'archetype' they're riffing on - a classic genre trope or character type or whatever - and then subvert it or dial it to 11 or whatever.  Part of the fun is knowing the 'what', but not the 'how' (if you take my meaning).  This image is a great springboard to set up that certain expectation...  The classic hero surrounded by evildoers and danger, dispensing them both with impunity.  But the real excitement is character driven; not so much 'how does the good guy survive', but 'what has the MIDNIGHTER done to get INTO this?'

(Switched around the 'how' and the 'what' there.  See? Subversion! :). Happy birthday - day 1!)

Happy Birthday, FM! I hope your day is going a whole lot better than that dude with the shuriken sticking out of his gut. What a fierce Midnighter cover! That grin during the violence is perfect, and really sets the tone for the cover scene. And those inks! Great cover for the b-day. Big congrats! 

Nice start to the party! I may have to get a Sprouse myself piece soon. Getting more and more convinced seeing pieces like this. I like the stark B&W contrast, no doubt enhanced by Story. Good point regarding the frantic kind of composition...frantic makes sense in a clear throwdown scene like this one. Congrats!  Will be watching for more birthday goodies!

VERY nice Sprouse splash.  And love the Karl Story inks of course.

Tons of action in this cover, I mistook it for a splash!   Awesome piece, congrats and Happy birthday!

Love it!