Best covers of 1950's DC comics.

[otherworldsj33]

Being a fan of DC comics from all eras, but more so from the late 40's to the later 60's, I thought I would make a list of covers I liked from 1950 to 1959, which I thought were classic or iconic or just plain interesting or artistic. This is the second time I am attemping this. I was up to 1957 the other day, and accidently deleted the post. This time I'm doing a copy after every year...

I'll include links from Mikes Amazing World of DC Comics for the cover images, as I tried to copy the covers themselves and it didn't work.

I did 120 of them for an average of 1 a month. I could have listed maybe another 10 or so more.

Welcome any comments, corrections, opinions, etc.

Starting with 1950.

 

1) Detecive #155, Jan. 1950. By Win Mortimer

To start the decade from the first month of 1950, one of the very few Batman covers with even a hint of sex appeal. The 1950's, gotta love them.

Also see Detective #167.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8411

 

2) Superman #63, 3/50. Al Plastino.

Yet another mainstream DC cover aimed at a slighty older audience. Late 1949, early 1950 must have been an amourous time at the DC editorial orffices.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26899

 

3) Action #142, 3/50. Wayne Boring.

Ditto about the previous 2 comments. These covers will become just about non exisitent as the decade rolls on. Fascinating there are 3 of them in a 3 month period to start the decade. Maybe because of the popularity of romance comics at the time?

Also see Action 143, 155, Adventure #183.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=125

 

4) Sensation #96. 3/50. Irwin Hasen.

Wonder Woman was a natural to showcase the romance trend.

Also see Sensation #97

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=23842

 

5) Star Spangled #103. 4/50. Fred Ray.

Great colors and cover composition. Fred Ray was under RAYted.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=24840

 

6) Batman #59. 6/50. Lew Sayre Schwartz.

A classic Batman Sci-fi cover. We'll be sick of them by decades end.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=3582

 

7) Superman #65. 7/50. Al Plastino.

Very early kryptonion cover theme. Also see Action #149, Superman #77, 113, Adventure #218, 232, 238, Jimmy Olsen #36, Superboy #74.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26901

 

8) Danger Trail #1. 7/50. Carmine Infantino.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=7814

 

9) Detective #164. 10/50. Win Mortimer.

Famous Bat signal cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8420

 

10) Batman #62. 12/50. Win Mortimer.

Nice colors, and compelling Catwoman cover.

Also see Batman #65, 84, and Detective #211..

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=3585

 

11) Action #152. 1/51. Wayne Boring.

I like this cover, with elements of sci-fi. mystery, and Rip Van Winkle.

I also love Borings Superman art. Boring and Swan are the 2 classic Superman artists of all time.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=135

 

12) MIS #1, 4/51. Carmine Infantino.

The red dress really stands out against the black of space. As evidenced here, Infantino excelled at composition and drawing woman.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=20108

 

13) Girls Romances #8. 4/51.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=12047

 

14) Superboy #14. 5/51 Curt Swan.

This was a toss up. Still, wouldn't refuse the OA cover if it existed.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26254

 

15) Action #156, 5/51. Al Plastino.

Very early "Supergirl" cover, and with Lex Luthor.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=139

 

16) Detective #171. 5/51. Win Mortimer.

One of the few Penquin covers of the decade.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8427

 

17) Strange Adventures #8. 5/51. Win Mortimer.

Apes and gorillas, here we come. The start of a decade (and longer) trend.

Also see...oh forget it, I'll be here forever.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=25409

 

18) Star Spangled #117. 6/51. Fred Ray.

Another great FR cover. Again, with great coloring. Wonder if he did the colors? They look different then the other DC covers from the era.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=24854

 

19) Action #158. 7/51. Wayne Boring.

"The kid from Krypton". Supermans origin retold.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=141

 

20) Girls Love Stories #13. 9/51.

I am VERY partial to city scene's. And I also like human interaction and emotion shown. If I was rating these covers in order of which I like the best, this would be high on the list. I absolutely love this cover !

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=11872

 

21) Superman #72. 9/51. Win Mortimer.

Talk about a bunch of pessimestic minds ! What happened to the spirit of the 50's with this cover? That aside, nice Superman sci-fi cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26908

 

22) Star Spangled #121. 10/51. Fred Ray.

Artisically Fred Ray was doing the nicest cover's at DC from the early 50's. Alex Toth and Carmine Infantino round out the top three from this time period. Just take a moment and give this cover a good look. Last Western cover BTW.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=24858

 

23) All-American Western #122. 10/51. Alex Toth.

Speaking of Toth...

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=2169

 

24) Star Spangled #122. 11/51. Leonard Starr.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=24859

 

25) Girls Love Stories #14. 11/51.

Interesting...

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=11873

 

26) HOM #1. 12/51. Win Mortimer.

Just made the list, but compared to some of the covers later in the decade, not too bad. And I would go out with a woman who ran with a wolf pack.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=15235'>http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=15235

 

27) Secret Hearts #7. 12/51.

"Never kiss a Stranger" So I guess one night stands were forbiddan in the fifties?

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=23433

 

28) Star Spangled #123. 12/51. Leonard Starr.

Another above average DC mystery cover in this run. These are scarce, more so in grade, and demand far exceeds supply.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=24860

 

29) Big Town #12. 12/51. Alex Toth.

Yet another Toth gem. Artistically has the elements of composition, style, spotting of blacks, and appropriate colors. Sales wise, has mystery, drama, and excitement. One of the better covers from this time.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=5234

 

30) Action #163. 12/51. Win Mortimer.

Few covers display the style and optimism (and chavinism) of the early 50's like this one. Mortimer's style fit this era well. He was the right artist at the right time.

I owned the MH copy at one time. Only a 8.0, but still, I should have kept it.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=146

 

31) Girls Love Stories #15. 1/52.

Not many DC covers depicted 2 woman fighting. And this one at the edge of a cliff ! Makes me wonder if the artist (uncredited at this time by MAWODCC) or editor had a quarrel with his wife or GF that month.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=11874

 

32) Superboy #18. 2/52. Win Mortimer.

Yet another cover that shouts NINETEEN FIFTIES !

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26258

 

33) Batman #69. 2/52. Wim Mortimer.

Love seeing Batman and Robin tied up at the disopsal of Catwoman and her BF (?). Must have led to a lot of scenarios for them later on. Who said the 50's were all innocent?

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=3592

 

34) Girls Romances #13. 2/52. Alex Toth.

Raw and intense. DC was crazy to let Toth walk.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=12052

 

35) Superman #76. 5/52. Win Mortimer.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26912

 

36) Action #169. 6/52. Win Mortimer.

OK, actually kinda a dull cover, but I like caveman themes.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=152

 

37) Star Sapngled #130. 7/52. Leonard Starr.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=24867

 

38) HOM #5. 8/52. Ruben Moreria.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=15239

 

39) Phantom Stranger #1. 8/52. Carmine Infantino.

Captures the theme and spirit of the series well.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=21730

 

40) Strange Adventures #23. 8/52. Murphy Anderson.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=25424

 

41) Adventure #183. 12/52. Win Mortimer.

You'll never see a more visually striking and posed woman on a Superboy/Adventure Comics cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=1042

 

42) Batman #75. 2/53. Win Mortimer.

Batmans turn with gorillas. Made for a fine cover though.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=3598

 

43) Sensation Mystery #115. 5/53. Gil Kane.

By late 52, early 53, the covers started to become more dull and predictible. This is a exception.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=23862

 

44) Detective #195. 5/53. Win Mortimer.

Again, a bit of a twist, with the huge wing Batman custome, foreshadowing what would come decades later. Also see Detective #235.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8451

 

45) Strange Adventures #32. 5/53. Murphy Anderson.

This cover opens up the possibility for a lot of bad jokes.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=25433

 

46) Detective #196. 6/53. Win Mortimer.

Not a stunner, but interesting, and again, a much better effort on Batman and Detective Comics then what we will witness later in the decade.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8452

 

47) Action #182. 7/53. Wayne Boring.

One of the best Superman covers of the decade. Boring had a vison of Superman and outer worlds that could not be matched. Beautiful.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=165

 

48) Adventures of Rex the Wonder Dog #11. 9/53. Gil Kane.

Wild cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=1653

 

49) Batman #79. 10/53. Win Mortimer.

Even without the benefit of hindsight, you knew just by this cover that this was the begining of the end for any real quality of Batman stories.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=3602

 

50) Batman #80. 12/53. Win Mortimer.

See what I mean? Pink goes well with Batman.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=3603

 

51) Detective #203. 1/54. Win Mortimer.

One of the better Batman covers of the decade, of course, Catwoman is involved. In another year, the code would make this type of cover taboo. Another cover I would love to own in the OA.

As far as the scene being depicted, fill in your jokes or snide comments here : .........

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8459

 

52) Jimmy Olsen #30. 1/54. Win Mortimer.

Fifties madness. I guess thats why the current show is called Mad Men.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26270

 

53) Superman #87. 2/54. Wayne Boring.

Another memorable WB cover. As most of us know, copied from a popular movie at the time. For 2 Supermen on a cover also see Action #219, #222, Adventure #216, Superboy #47, Jimmy Olsen #19, Superman #115.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26923

 

54) Wonder Woman #64. 2/54. Irv Novick.

Looks somewhat like Kuberts monster from the B & B #34 cover, doesn't it? Speaking of Kubert, yet another cover inspired by pop culture of the time, the 3D craze.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=31106

 

55) HOM #24. 3/54. Ruben Moreria.

A witch and a beautiful woman. Talk about cliche's.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=15258

 

56) Batman #82. 3/54. Win Mortimer.

I like the look of the cape wings. And its set at night. But where is the moon?

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=3605

 

57) Wonder Woman #68. 8/54. Irv Novick.

I'm not commenting on this one.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=31110

 

58) Strange Adventures #50. 11/54. Murphy Anderson.

Decent enough. Buts whats with the pink metal DC seems to have a affair with? Didn't it ever cool off after refining?

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=25451

 

59) Strange Adventures #51. 12/54. Murphy Anderson.

Not really more then a average cover, but I like the way MA drew the pose of the woman in the white dress. Her body language is intriquing to me.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=25452

 

60) WF #74. 1/55. Curt Swan.

Like I said , I like city covers, and the colors on this one are also attractive.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=31904

 

61) MIS #24. 2/55. Murphy Anderson.

Hijacker in space.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=20131

 

62) Action #202. 3/55. Wayne Boring.

OH NO, the Comics Code !!

But still, a simple but effective cover. And WB just did that classic Superman, Lois 1950's look.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=185

 

63) WF #75. 3/55. Curt Swan.

Pleasing enough. Not a classic but any stretch, but has something going for it.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=31905

 

64) Girls Romances #32. 4/55.

I like elemental, storm covers, rain or snow or wind. And lampost covers, so this rates toward the top of my list. Also, among some others included in this vein are Secret Hearts #37, Girls Romances #27, 49, Girls Love Stories #60, 67.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=12071

 

65) Congo Bill #5. 4/55. Nick Cardy.

Unbelivable compostion.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=7269

 

66) AAMOW #23. 7/55. Jerry Grandenetti.

First war cover on this list. As the decade progress. the war covers, along with the horror-mystery titles, will be some of DC's better efforts. By decades end, most of the super hero comics covers in DC's line up were atbout average at best, with most of them below average efforts. Not to mention the stories, by and large. Again, they were generally more intelligent and engaging in the war and mystery, sci-fi titles. But it's no wonder Marvel over took them in sales by the early 70's.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=2055

 

67) Action #206. 7/55. Win Mortimer.

Sweet cover. Puts a smile on face. This will be one of the last WM covers on this list, as Swan starts to take over the majority of the cover assignments as the decade moves foward.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=189

 

68) OOAW #37. 8/55. Jerry Grandenetti.

Compelling cover. Draws one in.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=20864

 

69) Bob Hope #35. 10/55.

Cute.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=1435

 

70) Wonder woman #78. 11/55. Irv Novick.

A interesting enough cover. At 10 years old, I would have purchased it.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=31120

 

71) Action #210. 11/55. Wayne Boring.

Superman land. Well done.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=193

 

72) Mr. District Attorney #49. 1/56. Win Mortimer.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=19680

 

73) Jimmy Olsen #10. 2/56. Curt Swan.

Jungle Jimmy, Superman and a gorilla. I would have purchased this at 10 years old.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28664

 

74) Action #215. 4/56. Wayne Boring.

Alien worlds, 50's style rocket ship, 2 Supermen, and WB art. My kind a 50's cover. This is another cover that would rank high as one of my favorites.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=198

 

75) Superboy #49. 6/56. Curt Swan.

I like the cast off, loner, marooned plots. Also alien worlds.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26289

 

76) OOAW #48 7/56. Jerry Grandenetti.

The expression on the soldiers face !

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=21193

 

77) Detective #233. 7/56. Sheldon Moldoff.

First SM cover on this list. Near the begining of his run of Batman covers and interior art. I feel this a average cover at best, probably below average, as most of the SM covers are during his tenure. The Batman #156 cover coming to mind as a notable exception. I don't know if it was the low pay, or his relationship with Bob Kane, or not getting credit, but he helped, along with the idiotic plots and stories, to ruin the franchise for the remainder of the decade, and beyond. Anyway, I only included this because it is the first Batwoman.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8489

 

78) Superman #107. 8/56. Wayne Boring.

Very similiar to the Action #152 cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26943

 

79) Showcase #4. 9/56. Carmine Infantino.

I am luke warm to this cover, art wise. Like the Batwoman cover, only much more so, it's historic, so I included it.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=24292

 

80) Superboy #52. 10/56. Curt Swan.

Sci-fi. alien worlds, etc.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26292

 

81) Wonder Woman #85. 10/56. Irv Novick.

Woamn in a bottle. Pre dates I Dream of Genie. Stan lee sometimes said that the Twilight Zone got some of plot ideas from him. Who knows?

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=31127

 

82) Unexpected #6. 10/56. Ruben Moreria.

Same month, and another woman in a bottle cover. Mikes DC site say these came out within 1 week of each other.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28829

 

83) MIS #34. 10/56. Gil Kane.

The earth being towed by a giant spaceship. The earth cover were also popular in the fifties DC sci-fi comics. Some others in this title include, MIS #26,35,38, 39, 43, and 44,47-50. Wow, they over use a theme. Also, not inclusive, but see Unexpected #18, SA #47, 64, 103, Showcase #11.

All in all, Oct. 1956 was not a bad month for DC as far as better covers code, considering it was all comics code. all the time.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=20141

 

84) GI Combat #44. 1/57. Jerry Grandenetti, and Jack Adler.

A classic war cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=11457

 

85) Detective #239. 1/57. Sheldon Moldoff, and Jack Adler.

Beautiful grey (or wash if you prefer) tone cover. Two Batmans for the price of one.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8495

 

86) MIS #36. 2/57. Gil kane, and Jack Adler.

Yet another gourgous wash tone cover. Also, the sci-fi aspect of this cover is imaginative.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=20143

 

87) Bob Hope #43. 2/57. Owen Fitzgerald.

Another cute Bob Hope gag cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=1443

 

88) Superboy #55. 3/57. Curt Swan.

But yet the code was OK with this ?? Also see Superboy #75, this time with a brush handle.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26295

 

89) Unexpected #14. 6/57. Sheldon Moldoff.

Here SM does a great job.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28837

 

90) Adventure #237. 6/57. Curt Swan.

The way DC wrote their stories, most characters were robots anyway.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=1096

 

91) HOM #64. 7/57. Ruben Moreria.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=15298

 

92) Unexpected #15. 7/57. Ruben Moreria.

One of the TOP covers of the decade. A stunner !!

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28838

 

93) Showcase #9. 7/57. Al Plastino.

Every womans dream?

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=24297

 

94) MIS #39. 8/57. Gil kane, and Jack Adler.

The earth in a safe, with a 3,0000 mile tall astronaut along side a 8,000 mile long spaceship, trying to get in. Sounds all logical to me.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=20146

 

95) Jimmy Olsen #22. 8/57. Curt Swan.

I enjoyed those enlarged super brain covers. I even own one (from the 60's) in the OA version. Also see Action #256.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28676

 

96) Unexpected #17. 9/57. Ruben Moreria.

Another top 30 or so DC cover from the fifties. RM was a standout cover artist, espeically during these couple of years. He seemed to ratchet it up a few notches in 1957. Adler also deserves a lot of credit here..

Just amazing.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28840

 

97) My Greatest Adventure #17. 9/57. Ruben Moreria, and Jack Adler.

I could fill up a wall of this art and be content, of just RM, JA covers from this period. Another masterpiece. There was nothing else being done at DC this year that matched these. Although a few came close.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=20030

 

98) Detective #247. 9/57. Curt Swan.

One of the last reasonably intelligent and attractive Batman covers of the fifties. DC should have had Swan do all the covers.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8503

 

99) WF #90. 9/57. Curt Swan.

Batwoman cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=31415

 

100) Girls Romances #48. 11/57.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=12087

 

101) HOS #7. 11/57. Ruben Moreria.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=15863

 

102) Action #235. 12/57. Curt Swan.

Superman in chains by a group of amazons. Even the corporate stodgy DC guys liked to have fun once in a while.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=218

 

103) Batman #113. 2/58. Sheldon Moldoff.

Staying close to the characters roots.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=3636

 

104) Lois Lane #1. 3/58. Curt Swan.

Another classic Swan fifties cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28509

 

105) Unexpected #23. 3/58. Ruben Moreria.

Another woman in the bottle cover. This time she has company.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28846

 

106) Batman #115. 3/58. Sheldon Moldoff.

Batman in a bottle too. My little Bat toy.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=3638

 

107) Adventure #247. 4/58. Curt Swan,

Another iconic but dull cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=1106

 

108) Detective #256. 6/58. Sheldon Moldoff.

Fun, but sickening.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=8512

 

109) Strange Adventures #93. 6/58. Gil Kane.

Hearbeat...

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=25494

 

110) Action #242. 7/58. Curt Swan.

Braniac 5 cover. First appearence.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=225

 

111) Superman #123. 8/58. Curt Swan.

Considered the first real Supergirl tryout.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26959

 

112) Strange Adventures #95. 8/58. Gil kane.

Can interpert this cover a few different ways...

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=25496

 

113) Lois Lane #4. 9/58. Curt Swan.

LL playing hard to get (it didn't work).

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28512

 

114) Unexpected #39. 9/58. Howard Purcell.

Black space just got a little brighter.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=28852

 

115) Superboy #69. 10/58. Curt Swan.

First Bizzaro cover. Another dull, unimaginative semi key cover, if you ask me.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=26308

 

116) Wonder Woman #103. 1/59/ Ross Andru.

Album cover.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=31145

 

117) Flash #105. 2/59. Carmine Infantino.

For a DC key, better cover then most. Still not my idea of a great piece of comic art.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=10162

 

118) GI Combat #69. 2/59. Jerry Granedenetti, and Jack Adler.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=11482

 

119) Action #252. 5/59. Curt Swan.

One of the better DC iconic covers. I actually like this one.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=235

 

120) Showcase #22. 9/59. Gil Kane.

http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=24310

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[turtleboy23]

Thanks for the lesson. I've never seen most of those covers. Very cool. (thumbs u

[AtlasFan]

I am a huge fan of the early 50's "sweater-girl" covers of the Batman/Superman family of books. I wouldnt quite call them Good Girl Covers...they are about as risque as DC would ever get!

 

Great stuff.

Bill

[adamstrange]

Interesting topic for a thread! (thumbs u

 

Artisically Fred Ray was doing the nicest cover's at DC from the early 50's. Alex Toth and Carmine Infantino round out the top three from this time period. Just take a moment and give this cover a good look. Last Western cover BTW.

I'll add to your list of Ray covers with this suggestion which has a more rousing scene than the SS 121:

 

 

[adamstrange]

Yet another Toth gem. Artistically has the elements of composition, style, spotting of blacks, and appropriate colors. Sales wise, has mystery, drama, and excitement. One of the better covers from this time.

I believe that Adler started to work on coloring for DC Comics around 1950, give or a take a year, and I think that's why you start to see some much more subtle and thoughtful approach to the coloring of some covers. He had designed the color scheme for Action 1 and some other early books but missed most of the 40s.

 

The subtlety of the coloring is very unusual for this time for DC (Church copy).

 

 

Here's another Toth Big Town cover I've liked (Church copy as well).

 

[adamstrange]

Artisically Fred Ray was doing the nicest cover's at DC from the early 50's. Alex Toth and Carmine Infantino round out the top three from this time period.

I confess to a much greater admiration for Toth's work than either Ray or Infantino during this time period. Toth was boldly experimenting in stripping down his art to remove superfluous lines and elements to convey the story and emotions with the simplest image possible. I think he was extremely successful and his early 50s work with DC and Standard represents one of the high points of his career. Toth was someone that other artists admired and imitated and I would add a few covers to a DC list (AAW are Church copies):

 

[adamstrange]

My favorite of the mystery-oriented Star Spangled has always been 129, which is one of the strangest DC covers from the 1950s (Church copy).

 

[adamstrange]

Congo Bill #5. 4/55. Nick Cardy.

Unbelivable compostion.

 

Both the #1 (Bethlehem) and the #5 (Church) have cover-to-cover Cardy artwork of jungle animals, capped with the use of the great DC cover colors!

 

 

 

 

[adamstrange]

HOM #1. 12/51. Win Mortimer.

Just made the list, but compared to some of the covers later in the decade, not too bad. And I would go out with a woman who ran with a wolf pack.

The coloring definitely takes this down a notch for me. The cover, incidentally, was based on a Brundage Weird Tales cover (mirror image, with more clothes).

 

 

I think the 5 is an excellent Moreira, I'm also partial to the 9 with it's intense bright orange-red background.

 

 

 

[adamstrange]

Phantom Stranger #1. 8/52. Carmine Infantino.

Captures the theme and spirit of the series well.

PS is a wonderful little title with each cover having something to recommend itself for but my preference is for the Tothesque #4.

 

[adamstrange]

Toth's partner in crime with setting the artistic standard for the first half of the 50s was Dan Barry who drew the Flash Gordon strip as well as doing occasional work like this Gangbusters (Church) for DC.

 

[otherworldsj33]

Just got back from the movies. Saw Wall Street 2. Pretty good.

In the bigger picture, no doubt Toth was more important and by far more influential as an artist to comic history. And at this time he was just starting to settle into what would become his primary artistic voice. Noit quite there yet, but certainly moving in that direction.

It s a tough call. Just that Fred Ray was, imho, the more mature of the 2 at this point, and his work on the covers was slightly better.

[peewee22]

Where is Adv 210? Got to be on the list !

[otherworldsj33]

Uh-oh ! Am I in the dog house?

[adamstrange]

In the bigger picture, no doubt Toth was more importantand and by far more influental as an artist to comic history. And at this time he was just starting to settle into what would become his primary artistic voice. Noit quite there yet, but certainly moving in that direction.

It s a tough call. Just that Fred Ray was, imho, the more mature of the 2 at this point, and his work on the covers was slightly better.

I think the difference you see can possibly be explained by Fred Ray being allowed to ink his own work. Toth was rarely served well, with AAW 122 and Jimmy Wakely representing the best inks on his late DC work. Regardless, it's certainly fair for folks to "like what they like."

 

Here's the Church copy of the AAW 122

 

[peewee22]

Uh-oh ! Am I in the dog house?

 

You ARE the dog house for that oversight !!

[Stevenrams]

 

Here is my favorite HOM cover and IMO about as risque DC would ever get. In fact I believe that one can even call this GGA. I mean check out the breasts on the beauty in the time capsule. It took me quite a while to find this book. It is the only one in the census and obviously the highest graded. I also think the graders at CGC were tough on this particular book; one grader gave it a 7.5 and the other two gave it a 7.0. Anyway, the black cover makes it difficult to find even in this grade. I was lucky to find it on e-bay. BTW, great thread! Also, Reuben Moreira cover art; one of the most underrated artists of thef fifties. Hailed from Puerto Rico according to his Wikipedia entry.

[Stevenrams]

In the bigger picture, no doubt Toth was more importantand and by far more influental as an artist to comic history. And at this time he was just starting to settle into what would become his primary artistic voice. Noit quite there yet, but certainly moving in that direction.

It s a tough call. Just that Fred Ray was, imho, the more mature of the 2 at this point, and his work on the covers was slightly better.

I think the difference you see can possibly be explained by Fred Ray being allowed to ink his own work. Toth was rarely served well, with AAW 122 and Jimmy Wakely representing the best inks on his late DC work. Regardless, it's certainly fair for folks to "like what they like."

 

Here's the Church copy of the AAW 122

 

 

You ever plan to sell these Church copies? If so, LMK. I'll be first in line. They are beauties!

[Stevenrams]

[Stevenrams]

Same book after CGC "got their hands on it". Just kidding. There's only six copies in the census. This is the second-highest graded. There is one CGC8.0 thatI I've never seen. I would love to see it if a board member would gladly share it with the rest of us. Man, how I love this book! And it's my wife's favorite book in my collection!