ESPN's NBA Comic Book Preview

ESPN's NBA Preview issue not only features a cool comic book cover illustration of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Kevin Durant, but inside they created 30 original comic book cover illustrations, one for each team. The mag approached Marvel Entertainment (coincidentally owned by the Walt Disney Company, who also own ESPN) about creating concepts and "variant covers." Under the direction of the mag's editors and design director Siung Tjia, Marvel's artists created a brilliantly creative spin on the traditional preview issue. If this was the NBA All-Star game, we'd say that the team at ESPN just won the slam dunk and three-point throw contests, and the MVP award!

(Above): Pencils by Joe Quesada, inks by Danny Miki, colors by Richard Isanove.

Los Angeles Lakers: Pencils and inks by Salvador Larocca; colors by Frank D'Armata. Kobe Bryant, inspired by Tony Stark and Iron Man.


Miami Heat: Pencils and inks by Mike Deodato; colors by Rain Beredo. Inspired by Captain America.

Boston Celtics: Pencils and inks by Greg Land, colors by Sonia Oback. Inspired by the Fantastic Four.


Charlotte Bobcats: Art by Alex Maleev. Michael Jordan (team owner), inspired by Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.


New York Knicks: Pencils by Leinil Francis Yu, inks by Jeffrey Huet, colors by Laura Martin. (Inspired by the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and more.)


Cleveland Cavaliers: Pencils by John Romita, inks by Tom Palmer, colors by Dean White. Inspired by the classic July 1967 Incredible Spider-Man cover.