Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Sunglasses at Night Covers

In the world of cover themes, there are a few different sub genres of the reflective lens genres. One of my favourites is using sunglasses to tell the story. Let's take a look at a few.

The first one that came to mind is Irv Novick's cover to Batman #205 (September, 1968). This is a rather odd, multi-issue story written by Frank Robbins involving the Schemer and his army of 'blind' men. It's a very unique looking cover and I like the way the the logo has been tilted. You certainly couldn't have pulled this off during the Go-Go Checks era. I'm not entirely sure of the accuracy here, though. I'm far from an expert on this sort of thing, but wouldn't both lenses reflect exactly the same image? Does anyone know if Novick was inking his own covers during this period?

Next up is the Kevin Maguire/Joe Rubinstein cover for Justice League America #30 (September, 1989). I'm certainly not going to call this an 'attractive' cover, but it certainly is effective. One of the things I loved most about Kevin Maguire is how innovative he tried to be with his covers. This issue's story is entitled "Teenage Biker Mega-Death" so it seems very appropriate that Mister Miracle, Flame et al. are cowering in some punk's shades. A very fun cover from a very fun title. You know, I really, really like Joe Rubinstein as an inker. I don't think I've ever give the man sufficient props.

I love the very stylish cover to Young Romance #150 (October-November, 1967). I've pulled out plenty of hair trying to figure out who drew which DC Romance covers and stories - so I'm not even going to try really over think this one. I'll just say Jay Scott Pike as he's my default answer for that type of question. It's absolutely gorgeous - I love the choice of the colour green for the reflected lovers and I really like how DC's cover artists - working alongside Jack Adler, no less - were really filling up the entire cover. Obviously the question posed on this cover is rhetorical.

Dear people who think that Jack Sparling can't draw. Please check out the cover to Secrets of Sinister House #9 (February, 1973). I love painted covers, and DC had a few really nice ones scattered throughout their horror titles during the early 70s. It's too bad it didn't become a real trend. This is a very creepy image of the screaming victim reflected in the shades of the very calm vampire. The single, shocking white fang is a nice contrast to the greyness of the face. That single scar running down from the left eye adds a ton of mystery. There's so much that I want to know about this character, from this single image.

So, there's a few example of what I'm talking about. There are more out there, so slick your hair back, put on your Wayfarers and keep an eye out for them.

6 comments:

KOR said...

I'm far from an expert on this sort of thing, but wouldn't both lenses reflect exactly the same image?

Dude. It's a comic book cover.

benday-dot/craig said...

Scott... believe me when I say I've been waiting for you to present this theme. I have both the Young Romance and Secrets of the Sinister House issues you post, as well I'm sure one or two others in my collection. Another rather well known, but inferior IMO to those you feature, "reflected sunglasses theme cover" is Amazing Spider-Man #55.

Scott M said...

But, KOR - this is DC in the Silver Age, when they took a great deal of pride in the realism of their stories and based everything on cold, scientific fact.

Craig - I haven't even looked it up - but I know the Doc Ock cover you mean. Totally forgot. I've also got subgenres for binoculars, sights on rifles - even scuba masks (think DC War) and probably even monocles.

Jacque Nodell said...

Yup! That is a Jay Scott Pike cover! About a year ago H&M had a t-shirt with that romance cover on it, I should have bought it when I had the chance!

Daniel Graves said...

Don't know if Novick inked the cover or not... I always thought that this cover does have a few little Infantino-esque traits, note especially the way the lips are drawn. I don't know if Infantino inked other peoples' work or not. Maybe Novick was just trying to look like Infantino.

Scott M said...

Father Dan - I can't argue with your logic. It certainly has that feel.