The 25 Most Iconic Comic Book Covers of All Time
Action Comics [1938]
7 augustus 2019
These 25 iconic comic book covers have definitely stood the test of time.
The Avengers Vol. 1 #223
Drawn by: Ed Hannigan
The novel pairing of Ant-Man and Hawkeye alone makes for a pretty great image, but it's really the angle and use of perspective in this image that makes it stand out as one of the all-time great Avengers covers.
Green Lantern Vol. 2 #85
Drawn by: Neal Adams
Silver Age comic book readers had grown used to melodramatic covers that didn't always accurately represent the events within, but that wasn't the case with this cover. Neal Adams perfectly captures the gravity of this dark story as Green Arrow comes to terms with the fact that his own sidekick is a heroin addict. This image, as much as any other, represented the gradual shift towards more adult-oriented storytelling in superhero comics.
Silver Surfer Vol. 1 #4
Drawn by: John Buscema
When it comes to covers depicting two heroes going toe-to-toe, it's hard to top this image of Silver Surfer rocketing towards the god of thunder. It really is the embodiment of the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object.
Spawn #1
Drawn by: Todd McFarlane
Spawn #1 was truly the hottest book on the stands in late 1992. Its cover may not feature the most unique composition ever, but its dynamic, detailed rendition of the title hero has been burned into the minds of countless comic book readers, most of whom probably owned at least one copy.
Watchmen #1
Drawn by: Dave Gibbons
Few images in comics are more instantly recognizable than the Comedian's blood-stained smiley face pin. That's thanks in no small part to this cover, which turns what should be a happy image into an unsettling, blood-soaked taste of things to come.
Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #4
Drawn by: Jim Steranko
Jim Steranko left a huge mark on the industry thanks to his Nick Fury work. This image in particular, with its dynamic rendition of the spy hero and the collage of trippy, black and white imagery in the background, remains Steranko's most enduring and frequently homaged work at Marvel.
The Avengers Vol. 1 #57
Drawn by: John Buscema
The Vision may be among the most beloved Avengers of all time now, but when he debuted he was a dire new threat to Earth's Mightiest Heroes. This image perfectly captures that quality, with Vision literally towering over his future teammates.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1 #1
Drawn by: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird
The TMNT franchise is one of the greatest success stories of the '80s, starting life as an indie comic series before ballooning into one of the biggest pop culture franchises in the world. It's not hard to understand why after gazing at this cover, which blend the grittiness of Frank Miller's art with some truly bizarre and eye-popping character designs.
Batman: Harley Quinn #1
Drawn by: Alex Ross
The late '90s saw Harley Quinn make the transition from animated villain to comic book mainstay. And during this time, no artist better captured the tragedy of Harley than painter Alex Ross, who depicted her dancing and embracing the Clown Prince of Crime. This cover proved so iconic that it was even recreated in 2016's Suicide Squad movie.
Amazing Fantasy Vol. 1 #15
Drawn by: Jack Kirby
Spider-Man is among the few Marvel icons not co-created by the legendary Jack Kirby. Even so, Kirby left his mark on the character by rendering the very first Spider-Man cover. This image has been the source of frequent homage in the decades since, both within the Spider-Man franchise and without.
Detective Comics Vol. 1 #38
Drawn by: Bob Kane
Dick Grayson sure knows how to make an entrance. This cover delivered a rousing welcome for Batman's new sidekick, in the process capturing the shift towards more lighthearted Batman stories at the time.
Spider-Man Vol. 1 #1
Drawn by: Todd McFarlane
Before he created Spawn, Todd McFarlane became a comic book superstar through his work on the Spider-Man books. This cover captures McFarlane's distinctive approach as much as any, showcasing a powerful, even imposing Spidey lurking in a spider's web.
Uncanny X-Men #140
Drawn by: John Byrne
The "Days of Future Past" storyline served as artist John Byrne's swan song on Uncanny X-Men. He really went out with a bang, particularly with this striking cover depicting an older Wolverine and Kitty Pryde making their final stand. The images of various other "slain" and "apprehended" X-Men only added to the story's mystique.
The Flash Vol. 1 #123
Drawn by: Carmine Infantino
Crossovers are hardly anything new nowadays, but back in the '60s, the idea of two different versions of Flash joining forces was mind-boggling. Carmine Infantino captured the excitement for this Barry Allen/Jay Garrick team-up with a cleverly framed image. The Flash TV series even paid homage to this image in its Season 2 premiere and marketing.
Iron Man Vol. 1 #128
Drawn by: Bob Layton
There's no more iconic image of a superhero hitting rock bottom than this one. Bob Layton made it painfully clear that Tony Stark's worst enemy is himself.
The Incredible Hulk Vol. 1 #340
Drawn by: Todd McFarlane
Wolverine and Hulk's rivalry dates back to the former character's very first appearance. No image better embodies their ongoing feud than this cover from Todd McFarlane, which clever renders Hulk only via a reflection in Wolverine's razor-sharp claws.
Superman Vol. 2 #75
Drawn by: Dan Jurgens
This image really tells a story all its own. Superman #75 saw DC do the unthinkable by killing Superman, and this cover made it abundantly clear about the type of story fans could expect. Even non-comics readers became very familiar with the sight of a tattered Superman cape billowing in the wind thanks to all the mainstream news coverage of this issue.
X-Men Vol. 2 #1
Drawn by: Jim Lee
Gatefold covers and other gimmicks were all the rage in the early '90s, but no single issue did it better than X-Men #1. Jim Lee rendered a detailed, powerful image of the X-Men making a united stand against Magneto. This image was split into four separate covers, but discriminating fans could pony up for the more expensive "Deluxe Edition" that featured all four covers in one massive spread.
Crisis on Infinite Earths #7
Drawn by: George Perez
This cover might just be the most oft-imitated comic book image of all time. George Perez drew inspiration from Michelangelo's Pietà for this rendition of a grief-stricken Superman cradling the fallen Supergirl. That, in turn, inspired a legion of imitators. Any comic book franchise worth its salt has featured at least one variation on this cover in the decades since.
The Dark Knight Returns #1
Drawn by: Frank Miller
Some of the best Batman covers ever have taken a decidedly minimalist approach to the character. That's definitely the case with The Dark Knight Returns #1, which reduces Batman to a simple silhouette against a blue background lit by a lightning bolt.
Detective Comics Vol. 1 #27
Drawn by: Bob Kane
When it comes to iconic Batman images, it's hard to top the very first Batman cover in terms of impact and recognition value. What kid in 1939 could look at this cover and not want to follow "The Amazing and Unique Adventures of the Batman?"
Wolverine Vol. 1 #1
Drawn by: Frank Miller
Frank Miller crafted the quintessential Wolverine image with this cover. It perfectly captures the X-Man's signature swagger as he extends his claws and cockily beckons his enemies to step forward. It's little wonder Wolverine grew into such a major player in the Marvel Universe after this series.
Action Comics Vol. 1 #1
Drawn by: Joe Shuster
As with Detective Comics #27, it's hard t beat the original Superman cover in terms of impact and staying power. What's most striking about this image is the fact that it paints such an ambiguous picture of the Man of Steel. He's clearly strong, but is he the hero or villain of this story? Regardless, it's enough to compel the reader to look inside.
Giant-Size X-Men #1
Drawn by: Gil Kane
Rarely has a single issue so dramatically changed the status quo of an entire franchise. Fittingly, the cover to Giant-Size X-Men showcases an entirely new team of mutants exploding outward while the original X-Men look on in shock and horror. It's a striking image that we've seen repeated a number of times, both within the X-Men franchise and without.
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