DC Comics has revealed uber-designer Chip Kidd’s covers to its hardcover Before Watchmen collections that are due this summer. Kidd’s powerful covers are deceptively simple, consisting of tight close-ups of the two Before Watchmen characters, whose prequel sagas are contained in the volume separated by prominent yellow and black bands naming the characters and the creators involved.

 

The tight close-ups do not reveal the character’s full face, though they do often make visible the actual print dots of color, which clearly indicates the comic book origins of the material contained between the covers.

 

Given the enormous and continuing sales of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ original Watchmen graphic novel, DC is clearly hoping that the release of the Before Watchmen collections this summer will keep graphic novel momentum going well into the second half of the year (see "DC Execs Talk Sales Incentives").

 

 

Here's the final cover featuring Nite Owl and Dr. Manhattan.