Cover Art featuring Tula Lotay
People warn not to judge a book by its cover. Sometimes the cover deserves its own discussion.
This week’s pick burns brightly upon the racks, drawing even the passing eye to the radiant work of Tula Lotay. Lotay’s vibrant colors have adorned books like Supreme: Blue Rose, The Wicked + The Divine and Curb Stomp. This week her talent is featured on the latest issue of Slash & Burn, the tale of a recovering pyromaniac turned investigator. “My editors Jamie Rich and Molly Mahan at Vertigo gave me an outline of the story and a few ideas for what they wanted,” Lotay explains. “I just took it from there.”
The story follows Rosheen, a young woman straddling her responsibilities to the fire department and her darker appetites. Deeply sexual, very much alive and always attempting to stay in control, Rosheen lends herself perfectly to the passion and vulnerability typical of Lotay’s work. “I wanted something to feature sexiness and romance, the comic is a bit steamy, so I wanted the cover to interpret that. There is also an element that the main character, Rosheen, is not quite sure what is happening, who to believe, so I wanted the reverse down cover to reflect that, it can be viewed right way up or upside down.”
Above, we’re lucky enough to see Lotay’s process as she combines watercolors, inks and digital media to layer together a textured and engaging piece. “I’m pretty happy with this cover, I hope it creates a sense of intrigue, and makes people wonder, ‘who are these characters?’ There’s a sense of danger there with the lighter, a naked frame that could light something, both the characters are coming from different places which is also reflected in their different positions.”
Slash & Burn #3 hits stands this week. Make everyday a little better by following Tula Lotay on Instagram and Twitter, and check out her some of her work at her website.
