Los Angeles based 3D scan and print service CoKreeate might have just made the next gimmick cover that comic fans will say that they hate but will still buy anyway. Brimstone and the Borderhounds #9 gets a 3D printed cover, and it’s cool enough that we’ll be really shocked if this doesn’t catch on.
Once the comic cover was delivered to CoKreeate they scanned it and went to work turning the 2 dimensional image into a 3 dimensional image. A CAD drawing was created in Zbrush and the cover was then printed on a full-colour printer in resin hardened sandstone. The results are pretty great and would look good on any comic fans wall.
Variant covers, or alternate covers, are a big business in the comic industry. Generally you will see an alternate piece of art, but occasionally publishers will try something a little different, like holograms, die cut card stock covers and occasionally 3D artwork. But as far as we can tell nothing that is actually 3 dimensional that was printed from a 3D printer. It really isn’t hard to imagine Marvel Comics creating a handful of 3D printed covers to be used as alternate covers or give aways. Or maybe take classic or iconic covers and convert them into wall art for the serious collector.
Cokreeate is based in Alhambra, California and offers its services to local residents. They specialize in 3D statues, busts and 3D printed photographs similar to the Brimstone cover.