And now, the conclusion of our grand list, picking up at the letter ‘S’!
Superman Adventures # 14
Now, I did complain about minimalism, begging the question, how far can you strip a cover down before it gets TOO simplistic and stops being art? I think the line is right here, but I’ll be dipped if this cover isn’t cool as hell. Superman conveys a ton of emotion in this one image pared down to the essentials in every regard, seeming both distant as an alien outsider, yet strong with an aura of humanity about him. Perhaps I’m overstating things, but I love the color choice and the classy tiny title plus number in the corner, as opposed to the obnoxious month where DC incorporated the title into the image of all its covers- and then wrote the title again in the corner, in case you didn’t get it. This cover was part of DC’s Head Shots month, where every cover was a giant head of the title character. In some cases it distracted from the issue at hand; in this case it gave the series one of its best.
Superman Adventures # 58
Now HERE’S what you’d call a cover! Simultaneously lushly beautiful as a piece of art and also a cunning distillation of the sweet innocence of the animated series, this Alex Ross piece is just so, so good and so fitting for the title. I almost wish they had gotten the huge logo out of the way to give the cover room to breathe, but basically nothing could ruin this image. The starry, starry night of the modern era, I have no idea why this cover isn’t considered a bona-fide classic. One of the best of all time.
Superman Forever
Sometimes an image just captures a character so perfectly and is so well done, that no subtlety nor hidden meaning need apply. Alex Ross’ defining depiction of Superman in his most famous pose, this image more than any other is seared into fanboy’s brains as Ross’ Superman, making him perhaps the most iconic Super artist since Curt Swan. The logo adds nothing, but the image is so great and powerful that nothing can detract from it. In fact, I would go so far as to say this might be one of the most iconic images of Superman of all time. Check out his companion cover of Batman on No Man’s Land # 1.
Superman The Man of Steel # 66
Sometimes an image doesn’t have to be drawn too meticulously if it gets a great idea across. This Jon Bogdanove cover is him at his “sketchy Sharpie marker best,” with the thick lines conveying tons of power. But the real strength is in the simplicity and purity of the image; just mild mannered reporter Clark Kent hiding a secret in plain sight, with a wink and a nod at the reader, because everyone gets it. Sometimes I can’t explain why I love a cover, I just do. Love that perfectly placed tongue-in-cheek ‘S’!
The Tick # 12
Spoon! While meant to originally run 13 issues, Ben Edlund’s indie humor series stopped here, leaving this cover as absolutely perfect for what ended up as the de facto final issue. All the Tick covers are great, with a painterly wash not found on many other palettes; but it’s Tick and Arthur, tearfully saluting the reader to imply they’ve arrived home at last and bid you farewell, that really sells the goofy glory of the cover. The title adds perfect balance too. A humor comic that conveys humor as well as emotion is not easy, but this does it with aplomb.
Uncle Scrooge # 281
A funny book amongst comic books?? Patently absurd, you say? Not so, as the Disney line is enormously underrated and overlooked when it comes to the history of comics. Most covers are cute and simply drawn for children, but some, like this one by Don Rosa, are a standout. The cover is not only well-drawn, but it conveys everyone from Scrooge to Donald to even the mouse’s personality, and gets a good gag through. All while tying the cover elements together with precision, like the company logo on the bag and the “1st issue” box (Whatever that means for #281. Collector’s first issue!). And look at Unca Scrooge’s fierce expression, baring you right in the face and conveying every line of his miserly curmudgeonliness. Don’t fuck with McDuck!
Watchmen TPB (original)
While everyone and their mom thinks the first issue cover is a classic, which I get, I absolutely will never agree with jettisoning this gorgeous image in favor of the super zoomed-in yellow eye on the Watchmen TPB as it looks today, made just because DC lost the rights to the smiley logo. But this cover is greatness, perfectly encapsulating the series and just daring you to peek inside. The linework is outstanding, the colors are great, but it’s the combination of showing off the world and the cleverness of what the image represents: The Comedian just thrown out of the window two seconds ago, smiley faced button suspended in mid-air before the drop, which the story inside will then be about. I think it was absolutely appropriate to use this for the TPB cover, as the “first and last panel of the story” covers for each issue became a bit of a stretch as it went on. This is perfection.
Web of Spider-Man # 1
An eclectic first issue cover by Charles Vess, this image makes “Web” stand out from Amazing and Spectacular by painting Spidey, in perfect use of his black suit, as a true character of fantasy and a mysteriously creepy creature of the night. It’s also is a perfect marriage of the title logo and corner box, all sized perfectly, which would unfortunately mar every other issue of the series besides this one. Still, as a first issue trying to differentiate itself, it succeeds greatly.
Wolverine # 1
Who doesn’t love this cover? Getting Wolverine’s snarky/badass attitude exactly right, Miller is one of comics’ masters for knowing exactly where to place a figure on the cover, and what size for maximum effect. The bold colors are perfect, and Wolvie beckoning you to “Come on… make his day!” is crystal clear with no word balloons needed. I also really like the cover to the first issue of his 1988 series, with Logan as Patch atop a pile of ninjas, in his element.
Wolverine # 24
I really really like this cover. The placement of Wolverine, in shadow, flanked between the two walls with the neon metropolis of Tokyo in the distance, creates a perfect artistic image and a compelling portrait of the man. Caught between his dual natures, Logan is waiting to return to find a place in modern society, but left with dirty business to deal with in the alleyways.
Wonder Woman # 0
What a cover! Wondy has never looked more powerful, nor the true meaning of bullets bouncing off her bracelets more visceral, than in this stunning, in-your-face image by Brian Bolland. The intensity is almost too much to the point of unnerving you, but the right balance is struck with mind-boggling detail juxtaposed with comic-book physics that somehow work. You look at it and go, boy, she’s sure a wonder of a woman!
Wonder Woman # 139
Although Adam Hughes is mainly known for his cheesecake covers of WW, this restrained one remains his best. Looking both iconic and regal while striking a dramatic pose, Hughes somehow sums up the “essence” of Diana here in a way few too others match. His lush coloring style adds a lot. All his covers were great, but his very first is the real standout of the pack.
Ultimate Spider-Man # 1
I considered Ultimate X-Men # 1 for this entry, as Wolverine striking the street with his claws (becoming a literal “Blade Runner”) is a memorable image; but ultimately, the cover that announced the Ultimate line to the world of comics has to be the best of the lot. Joe Quesada’s “A” cover is so weird, yet all the pieces kind of work when put together, including the red borders, photo background of Times Square, and gangly computer-colored webslinger; his “B” cover, of Spider-Man climbing a wall in extreme close-up, is one of the coolest images of the wall-crawler in its own right. I included both covers to give you a comparison, but they both work in completely different ways. The design elements, with the solid digital colors, was a masterstroke for its day. No series screams “The 2000’s” more than this one!
Uncanny X-Men # 100
The old team vs. the new team for all the marbles in this special 100th issue anniversary spectacular! I love the match-ups and the restrained background colors, but my favorite element has to be the evil, cackling Professor X in the background- as if it weren’t enough that he’s walking, and seemingly pitting the X-Men against each other, they had to hammer that point home by showing his destroyed wheelchair behind him. In case you weren’t sure which bald dude it was! A truly memorable and striking image.
Uncanny X-Men # 137
Also known as “the cover ruined by that damn ‘Win a $2,500 shopping spree’ ad that nobody ever won,” John Byrne’s fantastic cover to the finale of the Phoenix saga is brilliant, completely spoiled by that damn humongous yellow banner than in turn pushes everything else down; so I managed to find an image of what it would have looked like if printed normally. While it would still look better sans strip and the X-Men logo up top (to imply the logo is being thrust by Jean’s debris field), the power of this art cannot be denied. Byrne was absolutely the master of anticipation and setting up expectation based on what you already know about the issue, and this is no exception to his clever symbolism. Rather than Dark Phoenix vs. the X-Men, it’s instead Cyclops and Jean, star-crossed lovers, fighting to the end at the edge of space and making a desperate last stand for her life. A true, all-time classic.
Uncanny X-Men # 141
This is my personal choice for the best cover of all time. Why? Because it works on so many levels, and exceeds at every single element I think a cover should have. It’s a great image, expertly drawn, with great, bold colors. But the subtlety and cleverness of the image are unmatched. You know everything you need to about “Days of Future Past” just by glimpsing it. The logo is weathered, so you know it’s a dystopia. Wolverine is old and aged looking, so you know this is a future story. And he stands in front of a ‘Wanted’ poster depicting every single one of the X-Men has been captured or killed, minus him- meaning he’s the last one left. Gotta pick it up! I would say this is hands down, the best comic cover of all time, and puts a fork on this list. Almost!
X-Men (1991) # 1
Perhaps the defining X-Men cover of our time, certainly of the ’90s, is Jim Lee’s quadruple gatefold of everyone on the team going to battle in their newly-designed costumes. All 4 are great, but the standout has to be Magneto, never more awesome and powerful looking than he is here, staring out with fury at the reader with rendering that seems almost impossible to comprehend or replicate. If ever there was a “#1” you felt compelled to buy, this one is it.
X-Men # 41
Much like nothing said ‘Death of Superman’ more than a tattered cape and bloody logo, nothing says ‘Death of the Dream’ like Charles Xavier’s dead body being held by a mournful and somber Magneto, his enemy clutching him symbolizing a place beyond their petty rivalry of ideologies. The Andy Kubert art is superb, and I would argue the colors and cold slickness of the deluxe printing format take it to another, darker level. It could probably do without the silver logo, but the rest of the cover treatment, clunky though it is, actually elevates the piece here with its clinical precision.
X-Men # 80
And finally, a classic image of the X-Men team as rendered by Carlos Pacheco. Great at iconic imagery, and having it paired with just the right kind of slick coloring, this image of his is no exception, probably one you instantly recognize on a subconscious level without knowing where it came from. That’s the mark of a definite iconic piece. The X-Men in all their late ’90s glory!
Aaaaaaand we’re done. But just for fun, maybe next week I’ll show off a few covers that didn’t make the list; I thought it’d be neat to show a few choices that were close, but no cigar, and well as covers people consider iconic that I don’t care for at all. Until next time, hang loose, true believer!