Comic Book Resources

Can't argue with either of these

Those are both great. It's interesting that "52" issue 1 is a tribute to the death of superman.
"Iconic" is probably best indicated by being "most-imitated" or most the subject of tribute. Superman 1 and Action Comics 1 are unequivocally up there.

Somewhat down the line, Superman with a flag and eagle; and Watchmen's smiley face with blood.

I don't know if we really ought to count any covers that cite Michelangelo's Pieta. That just seems *wrong* to me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietà_(Michelangelo) . They are all tributes to Michelangelo, Jesus and Mary, not Superman and Supergirl.

Are you including DC imprints Brian?

I THOUGHT NEXT YEAR WAS 75?

WORLD'S FINEST 195 - COOL COVER!!

CHEERS,

B

If the JLI looking up at the "camera" from Justice League #1 doesn't show up on this list, I'm gonna be seriously disappointed in you, Cronin!

(I'm also hoping for Crisis #7, the last chapter of the LoSH's "Great Darkness Saga", Kirby's first issue of Jimmy Olsen, the Speedy "junkie" cover, and the issue of Action Comics where Superman reveals his identity to Lois. The reveal itself seemed kinda forced, but it was a hell of a cover.)

Here's a wuick list I came up with:

-LSH #294
-Action Comics #1
-Watchmen #1
-JL(I) #1
-Kingdom Come #4
-Batman #497 (awful artwork, but iconic nonetheless)
-Dark Knight Returns #2
-Flash #123
-Superman vs Muhammad Ali
-COIE #12
-COIE #7
-Green Lantern/Green Arrow #85

Er, quick.

The question for me is, are you including covers from separate companies whose characters would later be acquired by DC, like Fawcett, Quality and Charlton? I would guess not -- that is to say, I wouldn't include them, aside from All-American Comics.

I wouldn't include Batman 497, given the cover is ugly (the iconic panel is much better than the cover.)

Showcase 4, Showcase 22, GL v. 3 49, Batman 404, and GL/GA 5 are more examples of the so obvious they shouldn't need to be mentioned covers.

The cover to Countdown to Infinite Crisis probably should be listed, as it's clearly iconic even if you dislike the comic.

How about TPB covers, like the Killing Joke? Is that a go or no-go on this list?

Is there any doubt that ACTION#1 will be the eventual winner?

All-Star Comics #3. Brave and Bold #28. Justice League of America #100 (Volume 1). Showcase #4, #22. Flash #123. Action #1, of course.

"How about TPB covers, like the Killing Joke"

I believe that was originally released as a single prestige format issue - so I reckon it counts as a comic.

The question for me is, are you including covers from separate companies whose characters would later be acquired by DC, like Fawcett, Quality and Charlton? I would guess not -- that is to say, I wouldn't include them, aside from All-American Comics.

Agreed (as far as not featuring them, aside from All-American Comics).

Thank you for including more than 75; I think it gives us a say in what think is not iconic as well as what it.

Brian,

Comic companies pick whatever anniversary they think will sell issues. Marvel celebrated 25 in the 1980's (25 Years since FF #1) and now decides it's 70 (Marvel Comics # 1).

For DC, it's been a little more consistent, but they tend to exclude the company's first year when they just sold reprints of newspaper strips. They tend to go with New Fun #1 in 1935, where they first published original material as the start date. New Fun was retitled More Fun with issue #7 and ran until 1947.

I was just re-reading a bunch of Swamp Thing, so maybe that's why he's so prevalent on my mind at the moment, but a few of his covers stood out for consideration:

House Of Secrets #92
Saga Of The Swamp Thing #21
Saga Of The Swamp Thing #34

A few others I could see making the list...

New Teen Titans (1980) #1, 30
Justice League Of America (1960) #1, 100
Justice League (1987) #1
Brave And The Bold #28, 111
Detective Comics #38, 475, 476
Flash #105, 123, 137
Showcase #4, 22
Green Lantern/Green Arrow #76, 85
Action Comics #1, 252
Superman #1, 199
Lois Lane #106
Wonder Woman #178
Jimmy Olsen #53, 141 ("Don't Ask! Just Buy It!")
All-Star Comics #3
All-Star Squadron #1

plenty of others I'm sure I'm forgetting too...

First two covers of the Dark Knight, JLA #1 (take your pick from which series; they're all pretty iconic).

Can't argue with these first two selections. I would definitely put several over the death of Superman cover though. but it is still meaningful.

I really hope this list doesn't turn into 'The Superman/Batman Show' which it quite possibly could