Brilliant comic covers that have stood the test of time

Swamp Thing 34 (1985)

[caption id="attachment_151294" align="alignnone" width="770"] The ultimate cover: The Absolute Crisis On Infinite Earths (2005) cover (blurb below).[/caption]

The saying goes, “never judge a book by its cover”. However, that doesn’t apply to comics – especially in light of the recent re-emergence of the variant cover!

For those of us who weathered the 1990s’ variant cover craze and have yet to see a return on all those “investments” ... well, let’s try to avoid being part of the statistics again, OK?

In 1995, the testosterone-driven Gen 13 kicked off its regular series with 13 different covers (plus an extremely limited autographed 14th cover) and they were hot assets (in every sense) in the secondary market for nearly a decade.

Those 13 ranged from artist-specific covers (i.e. Arthur Adams, Simon Bisley, etc), homage covers (parodying Janet Jackson’s infamous 1993 Rolling Stone cover and Pulp Fiction), and even a do-it-yourself cover (which I believe is the inspiration for today’s blank covers)!

It didn’t matter how nonsensical the whole marketing act was, or how little history Gen 13 had – most collectors would probably still jump at the opportunity to own them all (I only have five of the 13).

It is the “completist” spirit in us collectors that encourages the proliferation of variant covers. Be it a sketch variant, shop exclusive variant, theme related, chase exclusive, gatefold, or other gimmicks, the variant spirit of the 1990s has returned, with even higher addiction levels (think LEGO-themed covers, lenticular enhanced artwork, and the upcoming cosplay-inspired ones).

The recent announcement that Dark Knight 3: The Master Race will be accompanied by more than 30 (!) variant covers got me thinking: are we collecting comics because of the covers alone, and not the content? Are some of these covers really worth splurging for?

But that’s a story for another week. This week, I would like to focus on several non-variant covers that have stood out without any gimmicks. All but one of these 15 covers pre-date the Gen 13 variants, and are still awesome even today.

Bear in mind that this list is non-exhaustive and in no particular order of preference. We’d also love to hear from you on your personal favourite comic covers!

[caption id="attachment_151337" align="alignnone" width="770"] From left: Batman #497 (1993), Swamp Thing #34 (1985) and Conan The Barbarian Annual #1 (1973).[/caption]

Batman #497 (1993)

This is a truly spine-tingling cover. At least that’s how I feel every time I see it. This “Bat-backbreaker” is courtesy of Kelley Jones and Bob Le Rose, and has inspired a few homage covers, as well as a silver screen re-enactment in The Dark Knight Rises.

Swamp Thing #34 (1985)

Whether it’s the butterflies, the swampy ambience, or the depiction of Abby and Swampy’s “eco-romance”, there is no doubt this is a masterpiece by John Totleben. It won the Best Cover award at the 1985 Kirby Awards.

Conan The Barbarian Annual #1 (1973)

By Crom! Can you believe this was drawn in 1973? Barry Windsor Smith’s works have graced many big titles since then, but this revolutionary cover cements his position as a Conan great and a comics legend.

[caption id="attachment_151342" align="alignnone" width="770"] From left: Batman: The Killing Joke #1 (1988), Animal Man #5 (1988) and Marvels #1 (1994).[/caption]

Batman: The Killing Joke #1 (1988)

From cover legend Brian Bolland comes this “Kodak moment within a Kodak moment”, which fits the title perfectly, and makes this classic Alan Moore story all the more chilling.

Animal Man #5 (1988)

Another one from Bolland, whose great covers have graced titles like Animal Man, The Flash, Wonder Woman, and 2000 AD. This is the cover for one of Grant Morrison’s greatest Animal Man stories – The Coyote Gospel – and Bolland’s “uncompleted” treatment is what, er, completes it!

Marvels #1 (1994)

It would be blasphemous to talk about great comic covers without mentioning Alex Ross. We could have populated this entire list with his masterpieces, but if we had to choose only one, it would be Marvels #1 for the significance of its subject matter. In it, Ross illuminates the dawn of the Marvel Universe with a fiery rendition of the original Human Torch.

[caption id="attachment_151343" align="alignnone" width="770"] (Left) Batman #156 (1963) and The Mighty Thor #337 (1983).[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_151285" align="alignright" width="380"] Crisis On Infinite Earths 1 (1985)[/caption]

Batman #156 (1963)

The 1963 “Robin dies at dawn” pose by Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris is in the list for the sheer number of homages it inspired, including Uncanny X-Men #136, Crisis On Infinite Earths #7, Mighty Thor #127, Lois Lane #128, Mighty Mouse #4, and Radioactive Man #412. Ironically, the cover is itself a homage to another classic comic cover – 1958’s Space Adventures #24 by Steve Ditko and John Severin.

The Mighty Thor #337 (1983)

This cover smacks of rage, and it also serves as an introduction to many firsts, namely Beta Ray Bill, Surtur’s coming, and Walter Simonson’s stellar stint on the God of Thunder. Most of all, the shattering of Thor’s logo signals the changing status quo!

Crisis On Infinite Earths #1 (1985)

This is how all mega-events should start off – with a single cover that doesn’t cost a bomb, but is just utterly Earth-shattering (in every sense of the word). Even today, George Perez’s 1985 reconstruction of DC’s many universes still looks cataclysmic!

Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths Hardcover (2005)

The allure of Crisis is so strong that we just had to mention it again. This time, Perez and Ross combine their talents to deliver perhaps THE ultimate cover – one that encapsulates the entire DC Universe, pre- and post-Crisis. Besides having 545 characters in one stunning gatefold cover, they also managed to cram in decades of plots, subplots, milestones and iconic poses.

[caption id="attachment_151346" align="alignnone" width="770"] (Left) Secret Wars #10 (1984) and Incredible Hulk #340 (1988).[/caption]

Secret Wars #10 (1984)

Doom! Never mind all the times Hollywood has failed to do the Latverian monarch justice, this Mike Zeck cover is one that truly sums up what Doom is all about – despite looking beaten and tattered in the image, he still exudes power and defiance as he stands up to the Beyonder!

Incredible Hulk #340 (1988)

Todd McFarlane may be the No. 1 artist when it comes to Spidey and Spawn, but his most iconic work has to be on this book. The content features the long-awaited rematch between Hulk and Wolverine since their first meeting in 1974’s Incredible Hulk #181, and Hulk’s reflection on Wolverine’s adamantium claws perfectly sizes up the showdown.

[caption id="attachment_151347" align="alignnone" width="770"] From left: Uncanny X-Men #137 (1980), Batman #404 (1987) and The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986).[/caption]

Uncanny X-Men #137 (1980)

From Cyclops’ optic blast to the latent Phoenix force within Jean Grey (later revealed as the Phoenix entity), this cover by legendary duo John Byrne and Terry Austin just crackles with raw energy! There are even two headlines to further convince you to buy Scott and Jean’s last stand!

Batman #404 (1987)

Thomas and Martha Wayne’s murder in Crime Alley has been depicted countless times on the page and screen, but it is this David Mazzuchelli cover for the first issue of Miller’s Batman: Year One story that provides the perfect snapshot of the Wayne family’s most tragic moment.

The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986)

Dear Mr Miller, way back in 1986, you wrote and drew one of THE best Batman tales ever with one of the most iconic Batman covers of all time, and there wasn’t a single variant cover in sight. Please take note of that as you prepare to launch DKIII with 30 variant covers later this year.