Impossible to say for certain who drew this iconic beauty. It’s signed by Bob Kane, and he may have even laid it out. But it’s more likely that assistants and ghosts such as Jerry Robinson and George Roussos had a greater hand in it. Either way, you couldn’t ask for a more classic image to … Continue reading Great Covers – BATMAN #1
Possibly the quintessential BATMAN cover of the 1940s, by Fred Ray and Jerry Robinson. This image was strong enough for it to have been reused seven issues later, albeit with some other elements added in. It’s got great drama, and also illustrates the essential contrast between the shadowy Batman and the bright and carnival-style Robin.
A strong Carmine Infantino cover for DETECTIVE COMICS, incorporating ink wash as well as the typical linework. I love the anguish of Robin, and the particular phrasing on the copy burst imploring the reader to keep the ending a secret.
This whole issue of THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD is loony, and it all begins with this Jim Aparo cover. Not only are Sgt. Rock and Batman in the same story (despite the different eras in which their adventures typically take place), but the Rock is firing ineffectively at a figure who casts a demonic … Continue reading Great Covers – BRAVE AND THE BOLD #108
This DETECTIVE COMICS cover by Carmine Infantino is only good in that it’s so bad. Produced right at the end of the “Batmania” triggered by the television series, this cover compromises its characters for the sake of a cheap gag. There’s something a bit off about Batgirl’s right arm as well. All that said, it’s … Continue reading Great Covers – DETECTIVE COMICS #371
A very nice multi-paneled Neal Adams DETECTIVE COMICS cover. This almost feels like it should be on HOUSE OF MYSTERY or UNEXPLAINED rather than a super hero comic. As usual, Adams’ photo-realistic style heightens the drama of the moment.
There’s some weird anatomy at play on tiger-Batman, but this Irv Novick BATMAN cover packs the sort of impact more typically reserved for DC’s mystery comics of the era. I don’t know what it means either, but I certainly want to crack it open and find out. The only misstep, I think, is in making … Continue reading Great Covers – BATMAN #209
This Carmine Infantino BATMAN cover is almost all copy, and intriguing as hell. Unfortunately, as was often the case, the story inside didn’t and possibly couldn’t live up to the promise of this cover.
This BATMAN cover image with its word balloon is almost funny, until you realize that it’s not. There’s something chilling about that hanging Robin figure, and the way the ground line is tilted in the manner used by the television series whenever focusing on the villains. Artist Neal Adams frames Batman in the oval formed … Continue reading Great Covers – BATMAN #246
The cover to BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS by Frank Miller is a classic, but for all the right reasons. Here, more than in any comic book cover produced before this point, strong design and typography lead the way. This image is designed to feel far more like a book cover than a comic book … Continue reading Great Covers: BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS #1
The Tom Brevoort Experience 