Classic Cover designation

[AGGIEZ]

I haven't seen this book on any classic cover lists...it should be

 

 

[Timely]

Maybe I can help

 

While I've been focused on OA these days, I still hope to complete my GA Classic Cover collection in this lifetime. Looking back, it was probably when CGC first put "Classic cover" designation on Action #1 that my goal became unattainable, and I moved full-time to OA. Thought I had a shot but Action #1

 

Below is my latest list, updated over the years, including all books that I've seen ever designated "Classic" by Overstreet and/or CGC. True, CGC labels may differ for many books, I just always buy/prefer slabs with "classic" on them. (thumbs u

 

Anyway, feel free to add/edit with any new/missing info. Good luck!

 

Dino

_______

 

Action Comics 1,36, 52, 61, 63, 89, 108

Adventure Comics 37, 67, 79

Air Ace V2#2

Air Fighters Comics V1#2, V1#6, V1#7, V2#1, V2#5

All-American Comics 21

All-American Western 113

All New Comics 8

All Select Comics 1, 2

All Star Comics 33

All Winners 4, 8

Amazing-Man Comics 6, 22

Amazing Mystery Funnies 2/5

American Air Forces 2

America’s Best Comics 18

America’s Greatest Comics 1

Astonishing 30

Atomic Comics 1

Baffling Mysteries 20

Batman 3, 11, 17, 23, 27, 156, 227, 251

Betty and Me 16

Beware! 10

Beware the Creeper 1

Big Shot Comics 24

Black Cat Mystery 50

Black Rider 20

Blue Beetle 54

Blue Bolt V1#4, V9#5, 106, 108

Blue Ribbon Comics 5

Bobby Benson’s B-Bar-B Riders 14

Boy Comics 10, 11

Boy Commandos 1,9

Brenda Starr V1#14

Camp Comics 2

Captain America 111, 113

Captain America Comics 2, 3, 7, 13, 18, 26, 28, 36, 46, 74

Captain Flight Comics 5, 11

Captain Marvel Adventures 4

Captain Marvel, Jr. 1, 4, 9, 13

Captain Midnight 3

Catman Comics 3, 19, 20, 28, 32

Choice Comics 3

Clue Comics 7, v2#2

Creepy #15

Crime Does Not Pay 24, 27, 33

Crime SuspenStories 20, 22

Crimes by Women 6

Criminals on the Run 7

Cyclone Comics 3

Dark Mysteries 10,19

Daredevil Comics 11

Dead by Hands of Kung Fu 14

Detective Comics 8, 17, 31, 33, 35, 69, 371

Doc Savage Comics 2, 5

Don Winslow of the Navy 44

Dynamic Comics 8, 18, 19

Exciting Comics 39, 46, 59

Fantastic Comics 3

Fantastic Four 25

Fight Comics 31, 44

Fighting Yank 21, 23

Flash Comics 8, 10, 21, 31, 33

Forbidden Love 1, 2

Four Favorites 10

Foxhole 1

Frankenstein 20

Frisky Animals 45

Funny Pages 35

G.I. Combat 87

Ghosts 2, 6

Giant Comics Edition 12

Great Comics 3

Green Hornet Comics 20

Green Lantern 1, 3, 8, 16, 29

Haunt of Fear 8, 11, 12, 14, 17

Headline Comics 8

Heart Throbs 1

Hit Comics 3, 5, 11

Holiday Comics 2

House of Mystery 231

House of Secrets 92, 100

Howdy Doody 6

Human Torch 12, 23, 33

Incredible Science Fiction 33

Iron Man 128

Jet Powers 2

Jo-Jo Comics 17, 25

Journey Into Mystery 89

Jumbo Comics 10

Jungle Comics 5

Justice Traps the Guilty 56

Keen Detective Funnies 20

Lars of Mars 10, 11

Lawbreakers Suspense Stories 11

Leading Comics 13

Liberty Comics 12

Living Bible 3

Lone Ranger 76

Mad 166

Magic Comics 19

Manhunt 14

Marvel Mystery Comics 5,9,12,28,29,37,40,44,46,63

Marvel Super Action 12, 13

Mask Comics 1, 2

Master Comics 32

Mickey Mouse Magazine V4#7, 10

Military Comics 10

Mister Mystery 12

More Fun Comics 54, 56, 61, 65, 71

Murder Incorporated 4

Mysterious Adventures 13

Mystery Men Comics 3

Mystic Comics 7

National Comics 7, 16, 21

Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 5

Our Army at War 112

Out of the Shadows 8

Pep Comics 20, 28

Peter Panda 5

Phantom 74

Phantom Lady 17, 23

Power Comics 3

Prize Comics 4

Punch Comics 12,19

Racket Squad In Action 12

Red Dragon Comics 6, 7

Roly Poly Comic Book 14

Romantic Adventures 50

Science Comics 2, 3, 4

Scoop Comics 2

Seven Seas Comics 4

Shadow Comics 4, V2#11, V3#6, V8#2

Shock Suspenstories 1, 6, 7, 12

Silver Streak Comics 6

Slam Bang Comics 3

Slave Girl Comics 1

Smash Comics 38

Space Adventures 12

Spirit 22

Star Comics V1#3

Startling Comics 46, 49

Startling Terror Tales 11

Strange Tales 167

Strange Worlds 4,5

Sub-Mariner Comics 11, 13

Superman 14, 20, 23, 24, 26, 53, 146, 233

Super-Mystery Comics 4

Supersnipe Comics V2#2

Suspense Comics 3, 8, 9, 11

Tales of Suspense 58, 59, 80

Tales to Astonish 59

Target Comics V1#8, V2#10, V4#5, V9#12

Terrific Comics (Cont. Mag.) 4, 5

Terrific Comics (Myst Pub) 14

Terrifying Tales 13

Thrilling Comics 7, 41, 52

Thrilling Crime Comics 49

Tomb of Terror 15

Top-Notch Comics 5

True Crime Comics 3

United States Marines 2

USA Comics 7, 9

Vault of Horror 17, 30

Weird Chills 2

Weird Fantasy 15

Weird Mysteries 4, 5

Weird Science 12 (#1)

Weird Science-Fantasy 29

Weird Tales of the Future 4,7

Weird Thrillers 3

Werewolf By Night 15

Wings Comics 89, 90, 91, 94

Witching Hour 13

Wonder Woman 10, 179, 199

Worlds of Fear 10

Yellowjacket Comics 7

Young Allies 4, 8

Zip Comics 9, 15, 22, 32

Zoo Funnies 2

 

As of 6/21/2012

 

Here is another Classic Cover to add to your list.

 

[Speedy-D]

IMO, there are many classic covers that have never received special recognition of any kind. What makes them classic in my estimation is the overall design and quality of art. If a cover or group of covers really stand out in a run, those books should get the designation, end of story.

So in your opinion, a classic cover is the same thing as a really good cover? Would that be most people's opinion?

 

I'd give classic a different definition (not sure exact what, but it'd be different). There are lots of great covers that aren't classic, and some classics that aren't all that great, just interesting or infamous or some such.

[goldust40]

So in your opinion, a classic cover is the same thing as a really good cover? Would that be most people's opinion?

 

I always assumed that a classic cover from the GA was not just good but representative of the era, innovative, and striking enough to elicit an immediate emotional response.

 

YMMV, of course.

[OtherEric]

When I hear the term "Classic Cover" it generally evokes a cover that I recognize even if I don't own a copy of the book. This is obviously imperfect- I need to have seen them for the first time at some point, of course- but it seems to cover the basic idea that the cover has somehow worked its way into the minds of experienced collectors. Almost by default it means many of the really key issues have classic covers; but even that's not universal- I don't think the More Fun #73 cover is classic, for example. And it has a lot of books where the main reason for the books value is in the cover. A fair number of LB Cole covers fall into this category.

 

None of that is incompatible with the other definitions. In some ways I think we just fall back on the old "I can't define it but I know it when I see it" position; and in a lot of cases that works.

[Speedy-D]

When I hear the term "Classic Cover" it generally evokes a cover that I recognize even if I don't own a copy of the book. This is obviously imperfect- I need to have seen them for the first time at some point, of course- but it seems to cover the basic idea that the cover has somehow worked its way into the minds of experienced collectors. Almost by default it means many of the really key issues have classic covers; but even that's not universal- I don't think the More Fun #73 cover is classic, for example. And it has a lot of books where the main reason for the books value is in the cover. A fair number of LB Cole covers fall into this category.

 

None of that is incompatible with the other definitions. In some ways I think we just fall back on the old "I can't define it but I know it when I see it" position; and in a lot of cases that works.

Agreed. A lot of the covers listed in this thread I've never seen before, but of course I'm not a seasoned GA collecting veteran.

 

And some of them, the first time I saw them I didn't get what the big deal was. But over time they've grown on me, and now I get that "classic cover" thrill whenever I see one.

[jimjum12]

When I hear the term "Classic Cover" it generally evokes a cover that I recognize even if I don't own a copy of the book. This is obviously imperfect- I need to have seen them for the first time at some point, of course- but it seems to cover the basic idea that the cover has somehow worked its way into the minds of experienced collectors. Almost by default it means many of the really key issues have classic covers; but even that's not universal- I don't think the More Fun #73 cover is classic, for example. And it has a lot of books where the main reason for the books value is in the cover. A fair number of LB Cole covers fall into this category.

 

None of that is incompatible with the other definitions. In some ways I think we just fall back on the old "I can't define it but I know it when I see it" position; and in a lot of cases that works.

Agreed. A lot of the covers listed in this thread I've never seen before, but of course I'm not a seasoned GA collecting veteran.

 

And some of them, the first time I saw them I didn't get what the big deal was. But over time they've grown on me, and now I get that "classic cover" thrill whenever I see one.

 

....I'm not a big fan of someone predetermining my tastes for me....that being said, many of them ARE mighty cool .....GOD BLESS...

 

-jimbo(a friend of jesus) (thumbs u

 

P.S. Last time I checked OSPG, there were no Planets with Classic Cover designations (that I could find)......that sort of removes some of the validity for me.

[Speedy-D]

When I hear the term "Classic Cover" it generally evokes a cover that I recognize even if I don't own a copy of the book. This is obviously imperfect- I need to have seen them for the first time at some point, of course- but it seems to cover the basic idea that the cover has somehow worked its way into the minds of experienced collectors. Almost by default it means many of the really key issues have classic covers; but even that's not universal- I don't think the More Fun #73 cover is classic, for example. And it has a lot of books where the main reason for the books value is in the cover. A fair number of LB Cole covers fall into this category.

 

None of that is incompatible with the other definitions. In some ways I think we just fall back on the old "I can't define it but I know it when I see it" position; and in a lot of cases that works.

Agreed. A lot of the covers listed in this thread I've never seen before, but of course I'm not a seasoned GA collecting veteran.

 

And some of them, the first time I saw them I didn't get what the big deal was. But over time they've grown on me, and now I get that "classic cover" thrill whenever I see one.

 

....I'm not a big fan of someone predetermining my tastes for me....that being said, many of them ARE mighty cool .....GOD BLESS...

 

-jimbo(a friend of jesus) (thumbs u

 

P.S. Last time I checked OSPG, there were no Planets with Classic Cover designations (that I could find)......that sort of removes some of the validity for me.

I suppose I'm not above being influenced, especially when it's in an area in which I'm no expert. Covers like Superman 14, no one needs to tell me that's a classic, it's obvious. Same with Crime SuspenStories 22. But there are definitely some comics labeled "classic cover" on a CGC case that I wonder at.

[jimjum12]

.....me too, brother. I also wonder about some that aren't but should be. There really are a LOT of really good ones......probably why we love 'em....GOD BLESS.....

 

-jimbo(a friend of jesus) (thumbs u

[GreatEscape]

Overstreet had always documented "Classic Covers" to be the more recognizable/memorable inside the run (usually excluding #1 issues and major GA keys that were already sought after by default), adding more over time. The significance of classic cover designations exploded with the publication of the Gerber guides. Suddenly, collectors coveted the more memorable and/or provocative covers which became 'classics" of the runs/titles-- Suspense #3 became the poster child of this paradigm. Emphasis on cover were secondary, however, as most collectors still placed more significance on low issue #s and content (1st appearances, origins, cameo, etc).

 

Hypothesis #1: Many so-called classic covers also have decapitation, bondage, flag, fish-in-face, etc designations as these were often the more talked about (and sometimes controversial) issues in the run.

 

Hypothesis #2: These designations were especially useful for collecting secondary, non-DC titles, which explains why there are relatively fewer DC classic covers (given their long runs) compared to Timely, Fawcett, EC, Fiction House, etc.

 

Hypothesis #3: GA keys and other #1 issues historically did not get "classic cover" status because most collectors knew what they looked liked. Until recently, everyone recognized the covers of Action #1, Tec #27, Cap #1 etc. and sought by collectors for the issue # or content so no need to call it a classic. Books like Cap #46 "Classic Holocaust Cover" were perhaps better known for the cover than the issue # or story inside.

 

With slabbing and CGC-- as well as auction catalogs showcasing covers-- classic covers have increased in prominence, but the internet/eBay/auctions have diluted much of the experience/value of seeing these covers in hand.

 

Just a theory....

 

 

[lou_fine]

Why not Action #1? Is there a more classic comic and cover than this one

 

I would actually call Action Comics #1 more of an "iconic cover" as opposed to a "classic cover" in the true sense of the terminology.

 

But that's just my own personal opinion.

[lou_fine]

I haven't seen this book on any classic cover lists...it should be

 

 

 

+1

 

I would most definitely agree with this Blue Bolt #105 selection as it is just an absolutely gorgeous cover. (thumbs u

 

Absolutely beautifully drawn cover image with not only the hero saving the damsel in distress from an attacking space dragon in front of a enticing spacescape background, but outstanding colours on top of that to boot, makes this an truely classic cover from my point of view.

 

BTW: I saw this cover image being used as the frontispiece for a hardcover book on GA comics. When I saw it, it immediately reminded me of Suspense Comics #3 in the Gerber Photo Journal Guide.

[comichut]

I suppose I'm not above being influenced, especially when it's in an area in which I'm no expert. Covers like Superman 14, no one needs to tell me that's a classic, it's obvious. Same with Crime SuspenStories 22. But there are definitely some comics labeled "classic cover" on a CGC case that I wonder at.

 

What is fun for me is to show "non-comic book collectors" cover images of the various genres of comic books. I like listening to their preferences as to why they like one cover over another. I will get comments like that's "cool art", that's "gruesome", and "wow, I like that." This is how I personally guage the "most" classic of covers.... asking "non-comic book collectors" their preferences. Superman #14 without a doubt gets the most accolades. CSS #22 is very classic to comic book collectors and is without a doubt historically significant. But, the non-comic book collector generally will find the cover just gruesome or shocking, like the many other great pre-code horror comic books

[Stevenrams]

OSPG has given this book its Classic Cover designation. However, CGC does not include the notation in their key notes. If I were to to reholder the book and request that CGC add the Classic Cover in their key notes, would the company comply?

[Stevenrams]

Ditto for this book. I know of one board member who owns a copy of this issue and CGC gave it its "Classic Cover" designation. Now why isn't my copy. Again, can I request CGC to add the notation upon reholdering the book?

 

PS--Thanks to Jeff ("Near Mint") for this copy and allowing me a couple of months before paying for it. A high-grade copy has been on my "want list" seemingly forever. Thanks Jeff!

[comicjack]

Sometime CGC puts the classic cover label on a book and sometimes they don't,have several books myself which don't have a classic cover wording on it go fiqure.Nice Sups 146 great origin book!

[Cat-Man_America]

Why not Action #1? Is there a more classic comic and cover than this one

 

I would actually call Action Comics #1 more of an "iconic cover" as opposed to a "classic cover" in the true sense of the terminology.

 

But that's just my own personal opinion.

 

Very valid POV. Some first issue covers are classic, some iconic and some are just ...