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What makes a 'Classic' cover & who decides?
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Started by jjonahjameson11,

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jjonahjameson11

jjonahjameson11

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Back in 2014 (wow, has it really been that long ago?) I started a thread entitled "What makes a 'classic' cover & who decides?" mainly because there was some very questionable covers that recently received the 'classic' cover designation while more worthy candidates had not.

After several posts with keen board members, I decided to contact Overstreet editor Mark Huseman to get the lowdown on their decision making process.  Needless to say, the response left me wanting, and I thought I'd share again with current boardies to discuss.

Without further ado, here is the email exchange between myself and Mark.

 

Howdy, folks;

 

I've received permission to post my email exchange with Overstreet Price Guide editor Mark Huseman. Mark has asked for feedback from this Forum regarding thoughts on 'classic cover' designations.

 

Here's the exchange:

 

Hi, Mark:

By way of introduction, my name is Yoram Matzkin and I've been following the Overstreet Comic Price Guide for nearly 30 years.

In this year's edition, I noticed some recent 'classic cover' designations for Amazing Spider-Man 301 & 316, and Avengers 89 and was hoping you could provide some details regarding how these covers were identified as 'classic' over other covers such as Amazing Spider-Man # 50 or #100 or Hulk 340?

1. Is there a guideline or set of criteria in place to define and determine what makes a 'classic' cover?

2. Is there a nominations team or panel that identifies covers for consideration? If so, How many books are nominated per year? How many people on the panel (and who are they?)

3. In particular, is there a specific number of nominations based on era: Golden Age, Atomic Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Copper Age?

4. I also noticed Amazing Spiderman 229 & 230 are now listed as a classic story and I have the same questions (see 1-3 above) about this

Looking forward to hearing from you,

-Yoram Matzkin

 

Hi Yoram,

Thanks for your longtime support of the Guide.

Designation of "classic" covers follows no specific criteria, and there's no Council of Elders who meet in secret to vote. Various advisors or readers will make suggestions, and Bob Overstreet and the Gemstone staff will give it some thought. Personally, I consider a classic cover to be memorable and one that will be copied or swiped or "homaged" in later years. Incredible Hulk #340 and Amazing Spider-Man #50 fit that criteria, but those, they're so obviously classic that no designation is needed. It goes without saying.

In the case of a "classic story", I think of those Batman stories that ended up being adapted for an animated episode. Others may highlight the best work of a creator or creative team.

"What makes a cover Classic" would be an interesting article for a future Overstreet Guide.

Best,

Mark

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oakman29

oakman29

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More than the classic cover analogy. I wonder why values given to many books are still at the price point of 20 years ago. I agree that there are books that are and should be considered classic covers. Really though we all know which they are without someone telling us , dont we?

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kav

kav

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Its kind of like radioactive decay.  There is no way to tell which atom will decay next.  There is no physical law that can determine this.  Even God does not know.  

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JJ-4

JJ-4

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On 3/14/2022 at 9:55 PM, kav said:

Its kind of like radioactive decay.  There is no way to tell which atom will decay next.  There is no physical law that can determine this.  Even God does not know.  

That's deep.  I think it's more like "I'll know it' classic when I see it".

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Ken Aldred

Ken Aldred

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On 3/15/2022 at 4:31 AM, 500Club said:

Frankly, the market decides.  Enduring popularity, and all that. 2c

Sometimes you'll get a cover with brilliant composition from a renowned comic artist that works exceptionally well and is very striking to many people, or, at the other end of the spectrum, there could be widespread mockery from the collector community, such as with the Rifleman and Alf covers.  Either way, there's an alert to a clear interest in a cover which can be stoked by assigning a status symbol and marker to it, further to hype up interest, frantic behaviour and market price.

More than likely you'll look at some of the choices and get an underwhelmed reaction, because ultimately it's all subjective and variable from one person to another.

Edited by Ken Aldred
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Axe Elf

Axe Elf

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In other words, a cover gets to be designated as an Overstreet Classic Cover when Overstreet says it does.

Fairly easy to understand.

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Arkham

Arkham

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On 3/15/2022 at 11:08 AM, jjonahjameson11 said:

"What makes a cover Classic" would be an interesting article for a future Overstreet Guide.

Even though this statement followed directly on the heels of a "errr.. dunno - no real process, people say stuff and we think about it", I would still buy to read this article. 

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jjonahjameson11

jjonahjameson11

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So, as a refresher, here's the response from Overstreet editor, Mark Huseman:

Designation of "classic" covers follows no specific criteria, and there's no Council of Elders who meet in secret to vote. Various advisors or readers will make suggestions, and Bob Overstreet and the Gemstone staff will give it some thought. Personally, I consider a classic cover to be memorable and one that will be copied or swiped or "homaged" in later years. Incredible Hulk #340 and Amazing Spider-Man #50 fit that criteria, but those, they're so obviously classic that no designation is needed. It goes without saying.

Folks, you tell me...is this Harley Quinn cover memorable or one that will be copied or swiped or "homaged" in later years?  I think not, yet it is a classic cover, according to Overstreet.  I can list dozens of covers from the same era that are far more worthy of being noted as a classic cover over this piece of .  Some of the most 'homaged' or swiped covers since the time I raised this question back in 2014 are McSpidey #1 and ASM 300.  Are they worthy of classic cover designation?  Heck, yeah!  Are they listed as such in Overstreet? um, no.

See the source image

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theCapraAegagrus

theCapraAegagrus

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On 3/15/2022 at 7:40 AM, jjonahjameson11 said:

Folks, you tell me...is this Harley Quinn cover memorable or one that will be copied or swiped or "homaged" in later years?  I think not, yet it is a classic cover, according to Overstreet.

See the source image

Classically bad, sure.

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jjonahjameson11

jjonahjameson11

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On 3/15/2022 at 9:28 AM, The Commissioner said:

I refuse to believe that. There must be some secret council lol

I absolutely agree.  The original cover art to ASM 301 is owned by a Sr Overstreet advisor.  It is designated as a ‘classic’ cover.  However, ASM 300, a very similar cover which is far and away more copied/homaged/memorable, is not.  

Edited by jjonahjameson11
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oakman29

oakman29

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On 3/15/2022 at 6:55 AM, jjonahjameson11 said:

I absolutely agree.  The original cover art to ASM 301 is owned by a Sr Overstreet advisor.  It is designated as a ‘classic’ cover.  However, ASM 300, a very similar cover which is far and away more copied/homaged/memorable, is not.  

Heck ASM 301 IS a homage cover to ASM 300

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