Superman #252, DC Comics, June 1972, Artist: Neal Adams.
Today it came down to a beautiful wrap-around cover versus a beautiful cover swipe. I’m not afraid to go with a swipe if I think it worthy but today I have to go with Neal Adams’ awesome wrap-around cover to Superman #252.
Ron Frenz is forever immortalized for giving up Spidey’s black costume debut on the cover of Amazing Spider-Man #252.
I love the way David Yardin uses colours on the cover of X-Factor #252, nice work.
Its always extras special when a major first appearance happens on a cover, characters like Doctor Strange and Archie needed their first appearances to be on covers like Supergirl’s was on the cover of Action Comics #252.
A great comic book cover matching each day of the year, 1 through 365. Please chime in with your favourite corresponding cover, from any era.
While I can’t imagine spending a millisecond choosing between those two covers, I will chalk that up to personal proclivities. As a non-ASM fanboy much to the detriment of my net worth, the ASM barely elicits a yawn.
As far as those Yardin X-Factor covers go, I think this one is sub-par. I agree that the use of colors (as we say in The Donald’s English) is good, but it is still a fairly murky standing around cover.
#253 is a dead heat with (happily) multiple contenders. Going against the probable favorite I will correct my mistake of #251 and pick Captain America because of RUBINSTEIN. Pencils and inks on this one are top notch, and “Tomb of BLOOD!” is just perfect.
Yes, sure, of course, Batman is a contender, but the more I looked at it, the more I didn’t like that cowering Batman. Cowering Batman should be kept for rare Scarecrow sessions in my book. I guess you are going to cite Four Color so whatever. Another amazing Adams House of Mystery is probably the best piece of art for this issue number, but unlike yesterday’s over-the-top monster, this one is a bit too understated for me. Spectacular Spider-Man and Thor are crazy fluorescent cartoony action pieces that work for me, but these bring up the rear.
JOWA to Detective. Appalling.
The Superman is exactly the way to do a wrap around cover!! I like the Supergirl debut as well! I was always a bit underwhelmed by the black suit Spidey… its simply boring. The X-Factor for me is too muddled… like looking thru a very dirty pair of sunglasses.
Hawkman and Hawkgirl are on that cover twice, fun cover though. The Spiderman is well done but prefer the original. Action Comics reminds me of a question I had about the Man of Steel movie – who is/was the second Kryptonite from the empty pod in the 20,000 year old crashed ship under the Artic ice?
Tim, they aren’t the same Hawkman and Hawkgirl (one of whom is actually Hawkwoman) , that’s the gimmick. Note two Green Lanterns as well. The inside back cover actually contained a key:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26425820@N06/4845511950/
That’s neat, thanks Chris. Some of those heroes I didn’t know.
Agreed – thanks Chris for adding the key! Very well done by the folks at DC. And I never knew until now that Starman’s alter ego was Ted Knight. LOOOUUUU!!!