COVER STORY: Dark Claw Adventures #1

What makes the best comic book covers? It is a great topic for debate. For us, as individuals, there is no wrong answer, of course; it is purely subjective. But, with a little thought it’s possible to explain what it is about a particular image that grabs you. The best images are the ones that make you stop and check out something you weren’t previously planning to purchase – and in some cases, you even end up picking up a title you’ve never even heard of before.

Premiering in September 1992, The WB’s Batman: The Animated Series was acclaimed by enthusiastic viewers and longtime fans of Batman as a defining image of the Dark Knight onscreen. So, leave it to the masterminds at Amalgam (DC Comics and Marvel Comics joining forces – and characters) to bring back the “Clawed Crusader” – the amalgam of Batman and Wolverine known as Dark Claw – a second time around via Dark Claw Adventures #1.

Within the pages of this “sequel” to the top selling Amalgam release, Legends of the Dark Claw, our heroic vigilante collides with Lady Talia, daughter of the late Ra’s A-Pocalyse. Dark Claw Adventures was “based” on the “hit animated series” that never was, as well as the comic book title supposedly adapting it.

Featuring the talents of artist extraordinaire Ty Templeton and a cover that strongly resembles the promotional image of the real hit Batman series – the one that sticks out in its fans’ collective mind – this title is one exciting and not surprisingly, expensive, keepsake from a hit comic book promotional idea that actually worked… and worked well!

–Scott Braden