The first issue of Image Comics' new dark comedy "Curse Words" is only eight days away, and to help maintain the all-important momentum needed to successfully launch a creator-owned series, the "Curse Words" team of writer Charles Soule and artist Ryan Browne have enlisted Chip Zdarsky -- a creator rather familiar with comedy and Image Comics -- to illustrate a variant cover for February's #2.

CBR has the first look at the "Curse Words" #2 variant, which is scheduled for release on Feb. 22, along with hard-hitting commentary from the creative team.

INTERVIEW: Soule & Browne Make Magic With Curse Words

"Really it was an honor to be asked to do a cover for Broule, an an even greater honor to finally give them the hot couple nickname of 'Broule,'" Zdarsky, the co-creator/artist of "Sex Criminals" and writer of Marvel's "Star-Lord," said to CBR in a statement. "'Curse Words' is hilarious and I only do variant covers for hilarious books, like that time I did one for 'Nailbiter.'"

"I asked Mr. Zdarsky to watch my cat for the weekend (which is a supreme honor) and instead he made an incredible 'Curse Words' cover," Browne, best known for his series "God Hates Astronauts," shared in a statement. "What fun! It was kind of like that time I asked the mailman to open my packages for me and instead he lent me his private jet! Does that make sense?"

"Oh shit, was I supposed to look after Ryan's cat?" Zdarsky added.

Soule shared the basic premise for the series, which stars a wizard named Wizord displaced in New York City, in a December interview with CBR: "The central storyline revolves around Wizord trying to save his own skin from Sizzajee’s magical assassins while working as a badass wizard for hire, and protecting his secrets about the darkness of his background from the world at large," Soule told CBR. "Everyone sees him as a hero, and he loves it. He doesn’t want to give it up. Many complications ensue -- it's a book about a bad guy who says he’s a good guy, and then whether he actually becomes that good guy over time -- or if he even wants that."

This is the first original comics concept in years from Soule, who has been focused in recent years on work-for-hire comics including his current run on Marvel's "Daredevil" and Star Wars series "Poe Dameron," and recent extensive work on the Inhumans family of characters. Yet Soule is no stranger to creator-owned comics -- one of his first major works was 2010 Image Comics release "Twenty-Seven," and Oni Press' "Letter 44" is currently unfolding.

"I was extremely honored that Chip agreed to do a variant for us -- he's the most powerful man in comics, after all," Soule said to CBR. "Yes, quite an honor. He joins an elite crew of wonderful folks who are showing us their versions of Wizord, Margaret and the other 'Curse Words' characters - Skottie Young, Paolo Rivera and more. Thanks, Chip! All hail Chip!"

"Curse Words" #1 is on sale Jan. 18. "Curse Words" #2, with a Chip Zdarsky variant cover," is scheduled for release on Feb. 22.