BHOC: BATMAN #255

While I was waiting for my copy of the ACTION COMICS #1 Treasury Edition, I got this 100-Page issue of BATMAN. This book too wound up getting thrown out, so I must have had it before whatever moment set my father off and doomed my small comic book collection. Consequently, because I only had it … Continue reading BHOC: BATMAN #255

BHOC: FLASH #DC-22

More than anything else, it was this next comic that made me a fan forever. And again, I couldn’t tell you why I decided to purchase this comic at this time. I know I got it at the 7-11 and that my Dad bought it for me. But I didn’t know who the Flash was. … Continue reading BHOC: FLASH #DC-22

Great Covers – BATMAN #205

The sketch for this Irv Novick BATMAN cover had to have been done by Carmine Infantino, who had been brought on staff by DC in the late 1960s to punch up the graphics of their line, which had grown stale over the years. It’s a masterful cover–that tilted ground line, the extreme close-up on the … Continue reading Great Covers – BATMAN #205

Great Covers – AQUAMAN #42

A great Nick Cardy AQUAMAN cover, from a sketch by Carmine Infantino. This was during a period when DC was getting bold and aggressive with its covers, and one of the innovations that Infantino played with was to integrate the series logo into the image in the style of Will Eisner. It’s a great triangular … Continue reading Great Covers – AQUAMAN #42

Great Covers – DETECTIVE COMICS #347

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.

Great Covers – DETECTIVE COMICS #371

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

Great Covers – ACTION COMICS #368

I suspect this Carmine Infantino ACTION COMICS cover has the opposite effect than was intended. Rather than feeling sorrow or sympathy for the Man of Steel who has no further mission, it instead makes Superman come across as kind of a jerk–a guy who’d happily live in a world of violence and hatred and crime … Continue reading Great Covers – ACTION COMICS #368

Great Covers – BATMAN #184

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.

Great Covers – FLASH #163

This Carmine Infantino FLASH cover was editor Julie Schwartz’s favorite of all the covers he commissioned. And it’s a tough choice to argue, as this image is so direct and so simple that you could use it as the cover of virtually any Flash story. I’m not wild about the candy cane striping in the … Continue reading Great Covers – FLASH #163

Great Covers – PHANTOM STRANGE #27

Nice PHANTOM STRANGER cover by Nick Cardy, likely over another Carmine Infantino sketch. A good concept, and fine composition–see how the converging gunfire draws your attention right to the figure in the center–and a nice use of color on this one.