Each Monday, staff writers Kevin Melrose and Steve Sunu discuss their five favorite covers from the previous Wednesday's new comic releases, selecting from among them CBR's Cover of the Week. Then, at the end of each month, they choose from the weekly winners -- you guessed it! -- a Cover of the Month.

This go-around, Conan takes aim, Leafy Green hits the track, "The Shade" gets bloody, Luther Strode turns reflective and parenthood goes cosmic.

Keep reading for Kevin and Steve's favorites from the week of March 14, and then discuss your choices in the CBR forums.

"Blue Estate" #10, by Viktor Kalvachev (Image Comics)

Viktor Kalvachev's covers for this crime series are sexy and sly, frequently blending pulp-style imagery with clever labels for fictional products like "Blue Estate" brand whiskey, or "Blue Estate" bullets, or -- well, you get the picture. For this issue, Kalvachev playfully mixes marijuana and the White Russian of the story's title -- kids, don't try this at home -- using oversized, prop-like elements in the foreground, complete with a deadly stir stick and a race ticket for the appropriately named horse Leafy Green. -- Kevin Melrose

"Conan the Barbarian" #2, by Massimo Carnevale (Dark Horse)

Massimo Carnevale is back with another cover for Dark Horse's "Conan the Barbarian," once again displaying his enviable skills with color and light. Technique isn't the only thing to admire here, however: I love what it says about the young Cimmerian that he stands unflinching against a volley of arrows, on of which passed close enough to cut his left arm. -- Kevin Melrose

"The Shade" #6, by Tony Harris (DC Comics)

"The Shade" covers have been playing with the idea of images in unusual spaces, and Tony Harris does an incredible job for Issue 6. The red area encapsulates the action of the book well, as your eyes drift to the bloodied lips of the beautiful yet haunting face. The woman's eyes almost dare you to look away from her gaze to the scene below. --Steve Sunu

"The Strange Talent of Luther Strode" #6, by Tradd Moore (Image Comics)

Tradd Moore turns in a fantastic cover for the final issue of "Luther Strode." While many of the covers leading up to this have depicted Luther in various states of violence, here Moore chooses a moment of reflection for the title character, on his knees, staring at his mask while surrounded by a spiraling background of bodies. The details Moore puts into this piece is nothing short of astonishing, offering a sense of depth and insight into both the character and his world. -- Steve Sunu

COVER OF THE WEEK: "Saga" #1, by Fiona Staples (Image Comics)

Never mind the controversy over the depiction of breastfeeding, Fiona Staples wonderfully captures the characters for this debut cover to her new fantasy adventure series with Brian K. Vaughan: They're protective and, yes, alien parents, nurturing their child in one hand, and protecting her in the other. The image also evokes classic sci-fi imagery -- I'm thinking specifically of the original "Star Wars" poster -- without being a tiresome homage. -- Kevin Melrose