COVER STORY: DC Spotlight #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.

Promotional comic books are nothing new to comics. However, a promotional comic like 1985’s DC Spotlight #1 promoted a wealth of landmark comic book projects in one most excellent package.

Just for the heck of it, let’s go through some of them, shall we?

First, there was the game-changing Crisis on Infinite Earths by writer Marv Wolfman and the late, great George Pérez. If that wasn’t enough, there was a profile of writer/artist Frank Miller and inker Klaus Jansen’s apocalyptic Batman story, The Dark Knight Returns. And if you want to talk about iconic comix, nothing much beats Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ much-reprinted comic book classic, Watchmen.   

As for the book itself, this fine work celebrates “The Original Universe’s” 50th anniversary with a star-studded cover by comics veteran José Luis García-López. The wraparound cover includes, among others, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and his Outsiders, Aquaman in his mid-‘80s blue suit, Harbinger, Pariah, Doctor Fate, Hex, and Nathaniel Dusk.

A feast for the eyes and a collectible to keep, search out this once-free, now expensive title today.

–Scott Braden