Covers -- I'm confused

[Harm's Way]

alright so far I have all the comics for the season eight.
But some of them are like this (http://www.newsarama.com/Dark_Horse/Buffy/BKV/Buffy_7.jpg) and others are like this (http://www.jetpackcomics.com/images/buffy/buf9.jpg).

whats the difference? Like some have that really detailed art
on the cover (like the first link) and others look like the comic
does inside (like the second link). So why is that? How come
there are two issues that are exactly the same but come out
with two different covers? : erm :

If this question has been asked I'm sorry! :whistle:

[nerd4hire]

There's an official cover, and a variant. The official is done by somebody who is brought in specifically to do the cover. The variant is usually done by the artist who does the penciling for the main body of the comic.

[Spike Angelus]

It's also for collectors, and another way for publishers to make more money.
*begin rant* Having been collecting comic since the very early 80's, I used to by my back issues by looking at the covers. If I didn't recognize it in my collection, I knew I didn't have it, but starting in the early 90's, they started making many covers for each issue (I think X-Men, second series was the first to do it, followed very shortly by EVERY comic published by Image). *end rant*

[Harm's Way]

alright thanks alot! :nod:

[Spike Angelus]

No problem. Glad we could help.

[Allycat]

For an overview of which comic has come out with which covers check out Buffyverse Canon Comics (http://comics.virtualslayer.net) I try to keep it as up-to-date as possible.

[Buffybot]

Just wait til you see the other comic series, they have a cover with the actual actors from the show, and then a comic drawn cover. Both covers are really nice still. I have all of the comics, so if you have questions, or would like to see them, send me a pm. :)