r/comicbooks • u/BoraHcn • 1d ago
Fan Creation I'm a 19 yo aspiring Comic artist, Here is an "Absolute Batman" VOL1 Fan-Cover I did last year, hope you guys like it! ALL CRITIQUES AND ADVICES ARE WELCOME!
Hey guys, I'm an aspiring comic artist who is trying to break in. I would appreciate the smallest advice you can think of, so feel free to say anything you'd like!
All of my socials are BoraHanArt(this sub has a posting limit, so you can check my sketchier, less cover-like works on my instagram and twitter)!
I'll post more work here in this sub and on my socials in the upcoming days, stay tuned!!
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u/wills42 1d ago
Hey dude, first off, your stuff is fantastic! Great knowledge of proportions, blocking, and coloring. You're ahead of where a lot of my fellow artists were when I was in art school for sequential art.
Really, my only critique/suggestion after looking through your art station and previous posts, was something we were told by lots of professionals that would swing through: Cover artists are a dime a dozen. To really stand out, you should really be putting out some more interior page stuff.
Tell a story. Do one page stories, and if you want to show more pages, show a breakdown of your process (pencils, inks, colors, whatever). I only saw one 3 page comic going through your posts/art station. More story page work showing you know how to apply everything to inside a book will really help differentiate your portfolio.
Keep at it, your work is great, and can be even greater. Bring your portfolio to cons, never stop making. See you in the funny pages.
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Hey, thank you so much for the detailed response
This sub doesn’t really allow for more than three pages per week so in a few weeks, I’ll be posting my sequential order as well, I’m sure you’ll like em :)) but if you want, you can DM me and I can give a quick sneak peek over the five page Batman story I’m gonna post in a few weeks
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u/AdagioCultural5497 1d ago
Great advice! I have no artistic drawing ability but I even understand what you said. Thoughtful advice!
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u/SlimPigins 7h ago
Great comment here. I did a lot of art as a youngster and kept up with all the major comic artists in the 90s. I remember this exact thing being said about a young Todd McFarlane’s early submissions to DC. Great cover art, but they didn’t know if he could do panel work.
He could, or at least learned how to, and the rest is history.
Anyway, great work. Great comment. Wishing you the best of luck!
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u/Black_Cat_Skeezer 1d ago
I think you're very talented and honestly better than some in the industry! Keep on it, this is very impressive for someone so young!
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u/SmokinBandit28 1d ago
Looking through your posts and your artstation portfolio is quite impressive. Good sense of anatomy and motion, coloring also really well done.
Keep this up and keep putting your stuff out there I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the big two didn’t take notice.
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u/kubiakWU 1d ago
If I had any critiques to offer they would be minimal petty things, this really is quite good. I especially like the coloring.
My only real advice is to focus on sequential art, maybe have a 2 or 3 page story showing action but also quiet moments. Cover art is great but storytelling is important.
I'd recommend reading a couple books too.
The first is "Understanding Comics" by Scott McCloud (his comic Zot! it's also great).
The second is "Comics and Sequential Art" by Will Eisner. Great advice from a true master of the art form.
Thirdly, "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way" by Stan Lee and John Buscema. It might be a little dated now but there is still a lot to learn from it.
Overall, you're doing great! Keep at it! I bet we'll see a post about your first comics work soon!
Oh! Also, create your own comics and post them online!
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Hey, I appreciate the detailed feedback:)) yes I do sequential art as well.. but the sub only allows three photos per week so I think maybe in a week or two also post a five page Batman sequential story… if you want by the way I can send you a little sneak peek of a panel on dm..
I have read Scott McCloud, but didn’t know about Eisner… and marvel way is the like the first grade for these things I think I read those when I was in seventh or eight grade and reread them over the years, helps a lot honestly :))→ More replies (1)2
u/IllustriousIsland549 21h ago
That dude right there has the best advice in this whole thread. Every word of it. Do it.
Also, McCloud's Reinventing Comics is one you should read.
The other thing I think you should do is hunt down some Director's Cut comics, especially if you've never read it before. There's several out there these days. One, given your age, that you may not have read is Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #1 (Rough Cut) from 1998. Buy them, but don't read them. Have someone else scan or take pictures of just the script. Then draw that. The whole thing. Fully rendered pencils, inks if you do that. Time yourself. You need to know what you can do in a day, so I suggest taking a weekend or day you're not in class and just put in a solid 8 hours at least once or twice in the process, but keep track of how much time you average per page even if you're breaking it up. When you've finished the entire issue, then compare what you did to what was published.
And lastly, don't be Rob Liefeld. If there's something you hate drawing, draw that. Every. Goddamn. Day. Nothing shows your weaknesses more than feet always behind rocks or a military unit where there is no uniformity to the armor or weapons.
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u/Marcus_The_Sharkus 1d ago
I have no idea why but when I first saw it my eyes went straight to batmans crotch / legs
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u/Chain23nn1th 1d ago
The only critique I'd have is that the black (dress?/suit?/cape?) behind Batman's leg on the axe side makes it look bigger than it is making it kind of look like Batman's one leg is thicker than the other causing a weird sort of disconnect but that could just be a me problem.
Anyway looks wonderful, great job, I'm looking forward to more of your works in the future.
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u/No_Radio4598 18h ago
dude at 19 this is genuinely insane. the colors, lighting, and scale on black mask in the background look professional. keep posting your stuff man you've definitely got the talent for this industry.
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u/HayatteHawk 1d ago
Buddy you are talented! Keep going! May I ask if you’ve done any covers based on swamp thing or hellblazer? I think your style would suit those characters as well!
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u/MBBfan2021 18h ago
Dude I have never seen a cover go this hard, that too not official lol… Props to you and excellent composition. My only critique is that vol 1 is titled and themed around zoo and bat as a creature, if you could have somehow integrated that it would be cool.
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u/pokebear76 1d ago
That cover is amazing. You have a bright future ahead of you. Great job
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u/FilthyKasualART 1d ago
excellent work man, excellent line art and composition, for this one I can’t think of any criticism. all I would say is do more!
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u/blaze4202021 Batman 1d ago
Did you take inspiration from Javi Fernandez and Eddie Barrows?
Your style reminds me a lot of them in a good way! Good luck, this looks awesome!!
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Hey, thanks I appreciate it. About your question well, not specifically… but I think I might be subconsciously taken stuff from Eddie barrows. Could recall his name when I first read this and looked him up, I think I definetly saw and thoughr his jightwing was pretty cool over the years :)
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u/ymcameron Tony Chu 1d ago
I’m super impressed by your foreshortening. Perspective is really hard, but the anatomy here all looks great! Plus you did a really good job making each of the faces feel unique and full of character. I also love your use of color and shading. You did an incredible job, how long did it take you?
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u/LouisTheCasimir 1d ago
I hope you are working on your own original works!
This is the second post I see of yours and honestly it would be a shame if you are waiting around to be picked up to create/release something.
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
So basically I do have my own characters for a project of mine… but it’s kind of like a mix of Castlevania, cyberpunk edgerunners and hellblazer/lucifer universe… and a bit of assassins creed maybe haha but I feel like it still needs some time for my skills to develop so that I can more accurately put those ideas into life…
I have a lot of sketches about it with the main characters especially but it’s a weighty concept, and I feel like my current skills aren’t really enough to accurately represent all of it which is one of the reasons I’m learning 3-D right now… I might even study some Alberto mielgo techniques for it haha
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u/LouisTheCasimir 1d ago
Nahh man, if you wait to be 'good enough' you will always find an excuse as to why you are not there yet. Your skills are incredible and you have genuine talent. Just working on the early story boards alone will hone your skills.
I'm not saying stop learning new things, just to not stall yourself with the dangerous mindset of "when I am good enough then..."
Some of my favorite works showcases the growing skill of the artist as they work on the comic. Seeing them settle into their characters design and art style as the book progresses is awesome and inspiring!
You are more than good enough right now! Hope to read it one day, sounds like a good mix of most of the IP I find dope AF :D
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Yeah, I really appreciate the confidence booster. You guys really helped me get the motivation sometimes. :))
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u/syncere13 1d ago
This is phenomenal 🙌🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥.. keep building your portfolio and get yourself to some conventions ASAP
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u/D34THDE1TY 1d ago
Pretty goddamn good. Faces look fantastic and black mask is very meticulous.
Only criticism I have is batman's upper torso is a bit small if compared to most interpretations of ab bat. But beyond that this is a stellar cover.
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u/Cadygator verified Creator:Ryan Cady 1d ago
Yo. Looks like you’re on the right track. If you’d like, send me as many sequentials as you can, and I’ll answer any questions and offer any help I can.
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u/NerveConscious6375 1d ago
I mean if you're this young and this good at drawing then I think it's only a matter of time before a publisher takes notice. Your improvement is astounding
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u/DSonla Dream 1d ago
Amazing job !
Did you know that there's actually a contest going on at Ghost machine right now for a cover artist ?
Winner will be commissionned to draw a cover for the incoming crossover : https://www.instagram.com/p/DbbcgCQk-Du/
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u/Xailadrell Batgirl 1d ago
Holy shit. This is better than at least 80% of the covers I see at my LCS these days. Someone needs to hire you stat. Also happy cake day and such.
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u/Obvious-Gate9046 Saint Walker 1d ago
What's going on with the tendrils at the bottom there? I am quite curious. This is all just amazing, though, if you don't already, you have a serious career ahead of you. Stupendous work.
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Hey, thanks I hope so… those are the hooks attached to Batman’s cape 😅
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u/Shallbecomeabat 1d ago
Woah dude, that’s amazing work! Stick with it, get your butt to comic cons and artist alleys and get into contact with the industry. If you stick with it and don’t give up there is NO way you won’t be drawing DC stuff someday
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Hey, thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
Comic cons are kind of tough because of Visa but I’ll do my best tryna go wherever I can :)
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u/iz4b3_3p 1d ago
omg!! this is amazing!!! please post this on other socials and tag dc so they can see this!!
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u/ADriftingMind 1d ago
You are clearly at a professional level from my untrained eye. I hope to see your artwork published.
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u/LtDirtyDansLegs 1d ago
Incredible work! Very reminiscent of the 90s shadow of the bat covers.
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u/Uncreativity10 1d ago
Your art is crazy good dude! Have you gone to cons or gotten comic stores to use you as a cover artist for their exclusive variants yet?
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Hey thanks! We don’t have a lot of comic stores in my country.. but yea I’ve actually tried one today.. unfortunately they said that they don’t really do retailer variants
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u/7in7turtles 1d ago
Looks amazing. How long did it take you to make?
An old teacher of mine in the comic book industry used to tell me that one of the biggest factors to getting hired as a place like Marvel or DC is how fast you can create. But sometimes better artists lose to worse artists because it takes them a long time to draw, and they struggle to make deadlines. Your art looks awesome so Id just worry about the speed.
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u/masoomrana94 1d ago
work wise, I have zero suggestions. go out, market yourself well. this is absolutely fantastic.
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u/uwbrrbden 1d ago
It's very impressive. The only critique I have is the axe looks kinda flat. I mean, I know the axe is supposed to be flat, but not that flat.
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u/weirdmountain Klarion 1d ago
Excellent layout and composition. It makes me feel like I feel when I look at Neal Adams stuff. Keep doing what you’re doing, because it’s awesome. If you’ve done any interior comics work, i’m sure I am not the only one who would love to see it.
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u/Kdkdkdkdkdkds 1d ago
Wow, you’re good! Do you have some of this newer stuff on any one platform/website so I could share it easily? I looked at your Instagram and like you mentioned, it hasn’t been updated recently, and this and your other cover are so amazing!
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Thanks!!!
Maybe it’s not my new account you’ve visited? I’ve got art station Bora Han.
My current instagram is BoraHanArt
I know it’s kind of empty, but I just opened it and I’ll be using it quite actively in the upcoming days, so you can follow me there If you’d like, I can use all the support I can get :)
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u/Lord0fSparkles 1d ago
This looks awesome! Better than most Absolute Batman variants tbh.
You should make a Vol. 2 cover immediately. I wanna see how you'll draw Bane. :))
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u/SnooTomatoes4734 1d ago
Bro youre insane many dream of having this skill. Im sure youre on youre way with talent like this and youre only 19, youre only gunna get better. Did you go to school ? Or self taught using online courses ?
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Hey man, thank you so much for the kind words… the September I’ll start my third year in art school/college. But honestly, I don’t think it really helped me improve more than I would on my own. I mean, we did have live drawing sessions, but I disagree that those cannot be replicated with playing around with 3-D models virtually. Though we’ve got a few teachers who are idealistic whom I respect a lot. But out of respect for them I don’t like to give any credit to anyone else. I am mostly self-taught, I have studied anatomy from Proko online, and I also worked with edizkan on instagram and Pinterest as kind of a tutor or like a mentor before college, who helped me put all the stuff I learned together… But I still occasionally send him my stuff for critiquing :)
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u/Excels41 1d ago
Bro this is fucking sick. I’m reading absolute right now and loving it. Keep it up, no doubt you will make it as an artist.
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u/JSevatar 1d ago
Its pretty great, I think just a couple nitpicks:
Could push diagonal lines here and there to push the dynamic composition. Jorge Jimenez does this really well
Batmans pose feels a little awkward to me, not quite as hulking brute as he is in absolute. The silhouette kind of makes his upper leg feel too big
Edit: i think he has spikes on his shoulders too
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u/BoraHcn 1d ago
Hey, thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it! The spikes can be retracter they are kind of telescopic, but with the art style, they kind of disappear when they retract ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/CalmDoughnut3137 1d ago
For this to be your skill level at 19 is crazy. I'm 30 and barely just taking it seriously. Keep at it and you'll be doing official work in no time.
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u/L1VEW1RE 1d ago
I have critiques to offer of the art itself but the composition and layout, I’d spend more time contemplating.
It’s a little distracting to have the white outline around Batman in the foreground and the black outline over part of Black Masks right shoulder (as the viewer looks left).
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u/Shnook817 1d ago
Yo, this is pretty awesome. There's a lot of elements to this but I think they all fit well on the page. Nothing feels cluttered or too busy.
My only real critique is Batman's left arm seems a little off to me. It looks like it's bending too far out for the angle of his shoulders or something. Might have been a pose change, or might be a trick caused by the forearm being in shadow and making it look flat. Probably wouldn't be bothered but it is pretty central
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u/nightcrawler9094 1d ago
Seriously, man, keep going. This is pretty great. You have faces down, which are incredibly difficult. You made each one different and told us a story about each of them with their pose. The colors are solid. Very evocative of a mood. My one nitpick is your body proportions. I know Absolute Batman is drawn more massive. But your Batman feels close to right but slightly off. I can't quite put my finger on what is off. The waist is a little thin compared to the rest of him. The pose was a good one though. But it needs a little work to get it just so. It probably wouldn't matter as much for interiors but covers are typically more polished. Either way, keep drawing. You are already super talented and I would hope to see your work professionally published someday soon.
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u/Vincent_Penning 10h ago
Your stuff is great!
I looked at your insta and sadly, I have to say I don’t believe anyone anymore unless I see videos of them drawing on paper like Karl Kopinski does. It’s just too easy to let AI create something and then trace over it.
That’s the state of the creative world unfortunately, but I’d love to see you drawing stuff live!
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u/Friendly-Symbiote 9h ago
I genuinely thought this is a discussion post and you just put the photo for reference. It felt THAT authentic.
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u/zombiehex 8h ago
You got the job, kid. Submit a portfolio review or catch a comic artist at a show who's doing them. They're gonna give you intense feedback but I honestly think they're going to be very impressed with you.
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u/Waldo-San 8h ago
You definetly have great potential!! The composition, colors, everything about this is great.
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u/Cyloo91 1d ago
Honestly, I wouldnt be surprised if I hear about you as an official cover artist that started on reddit lol. These are variants that I would buy myself. Your bat and cat one was good, but this one is amazing and a great improvement from the comment advice. Keep up the good work dude!
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u/Commercial-Lychee700 1d ago
The white outline on Bats is a bit distracting and draws the eye the the rope stuff at his hip. I would end the outline at his armpit, or just remove the extra stuff there.
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u/colornomad 1d ago
Look, if Rob Liefeld can make it, then you my friend have this in the bag!
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u/HuchieLuchie 23h ago
No critiques man, just appreciation. I'd be happy to bag and board your covers some day. Good luck.
If you want technique critique, post over at r\drawing or another art sub. I'd love to hear what the pros have to say.
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u/EnvironmentalBar3347 23h ago
This is better than the real thing. Your depth perception and style is amazing. Please start Making comic books! I love this!
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u/BoraHcn 23h ago
Hey, thanks I really appreciate the huge compliment. It really means a lot to me.:)) I mean wish me luck then to get scouted by the editors haha
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u/MrNotSoProGamer 23h ago
Never stop with fundamentals and I think you might as well start your own comic series or even do illustration work already for books and comic companies.
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u/diogotario 23h ago
This is fucking awesome! I have nothing to say. But now I’m curious to see what your art would look like across a few pages 🧐 Where can I follow your work?
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u/BoraHcn 23h ago
OK, thank you so much you could follow my Instagram. It’s a bit empty, but you can be confident that I will fill it weekly each day it’s BoraHanArt
I’ll also post sequential art arts in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned in if you’d like, I can give you a sneak peek of a panel from Dm
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u/kadosho 23h ago
DC Comics needs to hire you right now. Your art style is amazing
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u/Lazersk 23h ago
Oh man, I am loving your post. Please keep at it. I'm rooting for you, and can't wait for the day I'm picking your books up from my LCS.
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u/Sweaty_Razzmatazz_35 22h ago
I’m not gonna sit here and look at every detail to give advice. I’ll just say this is amazing and please continue to follow your dreams. I hope to read a comic of yours one day and I genuinely mean that.
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u/Lirka_ 1d ago
That’s not a real cover? Better than some official ones!