I started reading the Aliens series with issue 2 of the very first Mark A. Nelson, Mark Verheiden series. Back in those days, the interior artist was also the exterior artist. This was a great arrangement because it allowed the interior art style to shine through, and the reader got a good idea of what to expect from the inside. When Aliens: Earth War rolled around, this approach was shelved. For some reason, we didn't get to see Sam Kieth's art on the exterior of the books, and we were introduced to the artistic stylings of John Bolton. Perhaps in that case, wisdom prevailed. This system has been in effect ever since those days (on and off) sometimes to good effect and other times, not so much.
I believe that we are at a stage now where the art inside the book is more appealing than the art on the covers. The cover art is not bad in and of itself, it is just not on the same level as what is happening on the interior. Mind you, the workmanship of the exterior art is of a very high level. It just doesn't carry the vibe of the interior, and that vibe is sheer magic.
