Art by Ed Benes and Alex Lei
Wait a minute! What the heck? Didn’t we just see Crisis on Infinite Earths #7? Writer Peter David and artists Ed Benes and Alex Lei played with that issue’s events — and cover — in this story.
Crisis on Infinite Earths #7: An anguished Superman holds the body of Kara after she’s been killed. That cover made the whole comics world reassess their opinion of Supergirl.
— Kevin J. Anderson
CBG #1641, May 2008
MILLENNIAL MASTERPIECES
Reinvention, relaunches, and revamps were the order of the day in the new millennium’s first decade. Shaking up the status quo was designed to increase readership. Fresh, exciting covers and concepts didn’t hurt, either — and some attracted mass-media attention.
Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (Oct 00)
Art by Mark Bagley
Writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mark Bagley reimagined Spider-Man as a teenager in a separate, modern Marvel Universe. Updated versions of other characters from the original Marvel Universe were also reintroduced in a plan that gave Marvel double sales for its trademarked icons. (Note the trade dress [see page 4] designed to distinguish this series from stories in the other Spider-Man’s universe.)
JLA #41 (May 00)
Art by Howard Porter and John Dell
While working with a core group of major characters, writer Grant Morrison didn’t have to limit his version of The Justice League to any particular size. This cover made the concept clear, even to the casual reader.
New X-Men #114 (Jul 01)
Art by Frank Quitely and Tim Townsend
Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely used what was meant as a joke in the first X-Men film when they took a turn at X-Men (2nd series), renaming their run as New X-Men. (The move still drives indexers crazy. Striking cover, though!)
Batman #608 (Dec 02)
Art by Jim Lee
New revelations about Batman’s past were revealed in the “Hush” story arc, along with revisions to his costume, the Batmobile, and several villains. It certainly did begin here — as the cover boasted!
The Walking Dead #1 (Oct 03)
Art by Tony Moore
Robert Kirkman’s long-running zombie series began with Tony Moore’s cover, which revealed more upon reflection.
Archie #600 (Oct 09)
Art by Stan Goldberg and Bob Smith
After nearly 70 years of wondering which girl Archie would choose to marry, fans appeared to get the answer. However, it turned out to illustrate an imaginary story which showed two possible futures: one in which Archie married Veronica and the other in which he and Betty tied the knot. Fan response led to an ongoing magazine which continues to explore the two different possibilities.
New X-Men #114: Like many fanboys, I’ve sworn never to pick up another copy of X-Men in my life. And, like a gambling addict in Vegas, I always go back to the table. Grant Morrison’s run on the title was the first time I got sucked back in.
— Christopher Farnsworth
CBG #1681, September 2011
GETTING INTO THE ACT
Do you spot Stan Lee when he appears in Marvel movies? It’s not only on film that he and other creators have appeared over the years. Some have even made the cover!
What If? #11 (Oct 78)
Art by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott
Writer and editor Stan Lee as Mr. Fantastic, artist Jack Kirby as The Thing, production manager Sol Brodsky as The Human Torch, and secretary “Fabulous” Flo Steinberg as The Invisible Woman made for a fabulous foursome cameo. It was clearly designed to be a “must-buy” for Faithful Fans.
Superman #411 (Sep 85)
Art uncredited
After he’d served more than a decade as editor of the Superman titles (and almost 40 years at DC), a special issue of Superman was produced featuring Julius Schwartz. It was another fan-directed attraction.
Sensational She-Hulk #31 (Sep 91)
Art by John Byrne
Writer-artist John Byrne inserted himself into several titles on which he worked. In Sensational She-Hulk, it became a running gag, as the series regularly broke the “fourth wall”: an approach designed to catch the eye and grab the buyer.
What If? #11: Who could resist this one?
— Bob Almond
CBG #1626, March 2007
TOP 10
TOP 10 FAVORITE COMIC BOOK COVERS
CHOSEN BY DIVERSE HANDS
Part of the inspiration for this book was the monthly Top 10 Favorite Comic Book Covers in our Comics Buyer’s Guide, the longest-running U.S. magazine about comics. Since 2005, we’ve asked industry professionals, CBG contributors, novelists, and fans, among others, to tell us what their 10 favorites are. Some have sent in themed lists, many have contributed bizarre choices, but all responses have been interesting and informative and, with more than 900 comics chosen, an incredible variety was someone’s favorite. An index of all the Top 10 lists through early 2012 revealed these comics as the top picks.
COMICS BUYER’S GUIDE
X-Men #1 (Sep 63)
Art by Jack Kirby
Marvel’s mutants and The Avengers arrived almost simultaneously, giving fans of the day quite a choice of teams. Jack Kirby provided the art for both covers, so that probably didn’t aid the decision-making. In this case, though, Kirby had to make clear some of this new group’s powers.
Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man (1976)
Art by Carmine Infantino, Ross Andru, Neal Adams, Dick Giordano, and Terry Austin
The goal was to provide an unforgettable image, as the two giants of the industry produced their first official crossover. Mission accomplished!
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #4 (Sep 68)
Art by Jim Steranko
While the 1960s influences are evident in Jim Steranko’s design, his imaginative covers still resonate with fans today.
Mystery in Space #90 (Mar 64)
Art by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson
Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson created stunning space sequences for the Adam Strange stories, and this is the one that stuck with the most “Top 10” contributors.
Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 (Oct 85)
Art by George Pérez
As shown on Page 54, it wasn’t the first cover to feature this particular composition, but George Pérez’ presentation is the one more fans remember. Moreover, it marked an unexpected turning point in DC continuity at the time.
Amazing Spider-Man #28 (Sep 65)
Art by Steve Ditko
You saw the technique on page 33, and here’s another cover that utilized negative space to highlight the characters. It’s a stunner (even though its solid blacks make it almost impossible to find it in top grades as a back issue).
Amazing Spider-Man #50 (Jul 67)
Art by John Romita
This issue featured two memorable images: this cover and the interior splash page that featured Peter Parker walking away from a trash can in which he’d dumped his costume. (Some even mistakenly recall that splash page as being the cover.)
Batman: The Dark Knight #1 (Mar 86)
Art by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley
The iconic (and often imitated) look of this cover made it a natural choice for many. Though occasionally credited by some to Frank Miller alone, it was Lynn Varley’s colors that helped make the image pop.
Thor #337 (Nov 83)
Art by Walt Simonson
Beta Ray Bill’s assumption of Thor’s role was memorable, not only for the changes it brought to the title, but also for Walter Simonson’s powerful cover.
Avengers #4 (Mar 64)
Art by Jack Kirby
Is it any surprise that so many fans and professionals fondly remember Jack Kirby’s re-introduction of Captain America to the Marvel Universe? Any Marvel fan who saw this image on the newsstand in 1964 had to buy the issue!
THE END
And now, the time has come …
Savage She-Hu
lk #25 (Feb 82)
Art by Mike Vosburg and Terry Austin
It may be as clichéd as “She-Hulk’s Back!” — but this final-issue cover of Shulkie’s first series was memorable. Yes, even with a bike ad distracting from its impact.
Marvel Family #89 (Jun 54)
Art by Kurt Schaffenberger
It’s more than a little ironic that Marvel Family’s final issue featured a story in which the characters disappeared. Yikes!
Action Comics #583 (Sep 86)
Art by Curt Swan, Murphy Anderson, and Ed Hannigan
Writer Alan Moore and longtime Superman artists Curt Swan, Kurt Schaffenberger, and Murphy Anderson gave Superman a fitting send-off before The Man of Steel was revamped by writer and artist John Byrne. It was clearly designed to grab anyone who’d ever loved The Man of Steel.
ARTISTS
Many fine artists from the 1930s to today have provided the striking images chosen for this book. We thank them for their memorable work.
Neal Adams Action Comics #399, All New Collectors’ Edition #C-56, Green Lantern (2nd series) #76, Superman #233, Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man
Murphy Anderson Action Comics #583, Brave and the Bold #28, Flash #123, Green Lantern (2nd series) #40, Mystery in Space #90
Ross Andru Flash #186, Star Spangled War Stories #90, Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man
Terry Austin Savage She-Hulk #25, Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man, Uncanny X-Men #142, X-Men #136, X-Men #141
Dick Ayers Tense Suspense #1
Mark Bagley Ultimate Spider-Man #1
Bernard Baily Mister Mystery #12, More Fun Comics #65
Matt Baker Phantom Lady #17
Darryl Banks Green Lantern #49
Carl Barks Four Color Comics #199, Four Color Comics #223
John Beatty Captain America #284
C.C. Beck Captain Marvel Adventures #16, Captain Marvel Adventures #97, Marvel Family #7
Ed Benes Supergirl #79
Jack Binder Mary Marvel #5
Charles Biro Daredevil Comics #32
Jon Bogdanove Superman: The Man of Steel #30
Wayne Boring Superman #32
Pat Boyette Charlton Premiere Vol. 2 #2
Brett Breeding Web of Spider-Man #7
Sol Brodsky Uncanny Tales #16
Al Bryant Doll Man Quarterly #6
Carl Buettner Walt Disney’s Comics & Stories #22
John Buscema Fantastic Four #126, Silver Surfer #1
Ernie Bushmiller Sparkle Comics #3
John Byrne Avengers West Coast #54, Fantastic Four #274, Man of Steel #1, Marvel Age #14, Sensational She-Hulk #31, Superman & Batman: Generations #1, X-Men #136, X-Men #141, X-Men #142
Nick Cardy World’s Finest Comics #221
Ernie Chua Justice League of America #137
Dave Cockrum Giant-Size X-Men #1, Marvel Special Edition featuring Star Wars #3, Marvel Team-Up #74, X-Men #100
Gene Colan Menace #9
L.B. Cole Patches #5
Pete Costanza Marvel Family #7
Johnny Craig Crime SuspenStories #22, Extra! #3
Reed Crandall Blackhawk #56
Jack Davis Tales from the Crypt #46
John Dell JLA #41
Steve Dillon Preacher #1
Steve Ditko Amazing Fantasy #15, Amazing Spider-Man #28, Amazing Spider-Man #33, Strange Suspense Stories #19
Will Eisner Spirit #22
Mike Esposito Flash #186, Giant-Size Defenders #1, Star Spangled War Stories #90
Bill Everett Marvel Mystery Comics #9, Marvel Tales #114, Menace #5
Gene Fawcette Flying Saucers #1
Al Feldstein Tales from the Crypt #28
Frank Frazetta Famous Funnies #213
Ron Frenz Amazing Spider-Man #252
Dave Gibbons Watchmen #1
Frank Giacoia Giant-Size Avengers #3, Giant-Size Defenders #1, Incredible Hulk #105
Joe Giella Flash #163, Green Lantern #5
Dick Giordano Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man
Stan Goldberg Archie #600
Dan Green Wolverine #50
Ed Hannigan Action Comics #583
Irwin Hasen All-Star Comics #37
E.E. Hibbard Flash Comics #26
Rick Hoberg Marvel Special Edition featuring Star Wars #3
Carmine Infantino All-American Comics #95, Flash #123, Flash #163, Mystery in Space #90, Showcase #4, Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man
Klaus Janson Amazing Spider-Man #252
Phil Jimenez Amazing Spider-Man #583
Bob Kane Detective Comics #27, Detective Comics #38
Gil Kane Giant-Size Avengers #3, Giant-Size Defenders #1, Giant-Size X-Men #1, Green Lantern (2nd series) #5, Green Lantern (2nd series) #40, Mystery in Space #53
Jack Kamen All Top Comics #10
Stan Kaye Adventure Comics #247, Superboy #47, Superman #149, Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane #19
Dale Keown Incredible Hulk #376
H.C. Kiefer Stories by Famous Authors Illustrated #1
Jack Kirby Amazing Fantasy #15, Avengers #4, Captain America #109, Captain America Comics #1, Fantastic Four #1, Foxhole #1, Sgt. Fury #13, Thor #127, What If? #11, X-Men #1
George Klein Superman #156, World’s Finest Comics #172
Joe Kubert Sgt. Rock #408, Showcase #4
Harvey Kurtzman Two-Fisted Tales #25
Howard Larsen Slave Girl Comics #1
Bob Layton Magnus Robot Fighter #1
Jim Lee Batman #608
Alex Lei Supergirl #79
Dave Manak ALF #48
Joe Maneely Crazy #4
George Marcoux Supersnipe Comics Vol. 1 #7
Sheldon Mayer Sugar & Spike #17
Todd McFarlane Incredible Hulk #340, Spawn #1, Spider-Man #1
Ed McGuinness Hulk #29
Bob McLeod Incredible Hulk #376
Jesus Merino Green Lantern (4th series) #1
Mike Mignola Aliens vs. Predator #0
Al Milgrom Avengers #239
Frank Miller Batman: The Dark Knight #1, Wolverine #1
Jerome Moore Star Trek #1
Tony Moore Walking Dead #1
Rags Morales Action Comics (2nd series) #1
Bill Morrison Simpsons Comics #1
David Mowry Married … with Children: Quantum Quartet #1
Art Nichols Magnus Robot Fighter #1
Bob Oksner Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane #128
Jerry Ordway Power of Shazam #1
Fred Ottenheimer Eh! #4
Carlos Pacheco Green Lantern (4th series) #1
Frank R. Paul Marvel Comics #1
George Pérez Avengers/JLA #2, Crisis on Infinite Earths #7, New Teen Titans #1
Photo cover Rifleman #10
Al Plastino Action Comics #127
Mike Ploog Marvel Spotlight #5
Howard Porter JLA #41
Howard Purcell Green Lantern (1st series) #1
Frank Quitely New X-Men #114
Mac Raboy America’s Greatest Comics #1, Captain Marvel Jr. #21, Master Comics #32
Fred Ray Superman #14
Tom Richmond Married … with Children: Quantum Quartet #1
Paolo Rivera Amazing Spider-Man #641
Jerry Robinson Detective Comics #38
John Romita Amazing Spider-Man #39, Amazing Spider-Man #50, Amazing Spider-Man #50, Defenders #10, Giant-Size Defenders #1
Alex Ross Marvels #1
George Roussos Avengers #4
Bernard Sachs Mystery in Space #53
Kurt Schaffenberger Marvel Family #89, Superman #162
Alex Schomburg Marvel Mystery Comics #9, Startling Comics #49
Mike Sekowsky Brave and the Bold #28
Marie Severin Incredible Hulk #105, Incredible Hulk Annual #1, Marvel Team-Up #74
Syd Shores Captain America #109
Joe Shuster Action Comics #1, Superman #1
Marc Silvestri Wolverine #50
Joe Simon Captain America Comics #1
Walter Simonson
Thor #337, Thor #364
Joe Sinnott Avengers #239, Fantastic Four #126, Silver Surfer #1, What If? #11
Bob Smith Archie #600
Jeff Smith Bone #3
Jack Sparling Warfront #37
Frank Springer Secret Six #1
John Stanley Little Lulu #57
Jim Starlin Marvel Graphic Novel #1: The Death of Captain Marvel
Jim Steranko Incredible Hulk Annual #1, Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #4
Curt Swan Action Comics #500, Action Comics #583, Adventure Comics #247, Superboy #47, Superman #149, Superman #156, Superman’s Girl Friend Lois Lane #19, World’s Finest Comics #172
Arthur Suydam Marvel Zombies #5
Romeo Tanghal Green Lantern (3rd series) #49
Frank Thorne Red Sonja #1
Tim Townsend New X-Men #114
Herb Trimpe Incredible Hulk #181, Incredible Hulk #189
Uncredited Classics Illustrated #89, Jeanie #17, Superman #411
John Verpoorten Conan the Barbarian #1
Mike Vosburg Savage She-Hulk #25
Ron Wilson Web of Spider-Man #7
Barry Windsor-Smith Conan the Barbarian #1
Wally Wood Shock SuspenStories #6, Warfront #37, Weird Science #20
Bill Wray Secret Origins #40
Bernie Wrightson Swamp Thing #1
Mike Zeck Captain America #284
Dan Zolnerowich Airboy Comics Vol. 5 #12
Copyright © 2012 F+W Media, Inc.
All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a critical article or review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper, or electronically transmitted on radio, television, or the Internet.
The Greatest Comic Book Covers of All Time Page 5