For many, the decision to buy a comic rests solely on the quality of its cover. A lot of the time, the cover art is beautiful and even better than the interior art. Other times, not so much. There are covers out there that are awkward, hard to look at, or very, very strange — some have great ideas with less than adequate execution, while others are so silly it’s hilarious! Either way, there are definitely some weird comic book covers out there — here are seven of the weirdest.
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Life with Archie #37 Alex Ross Variant Cover (above)
Now, I’m just going to make it clear that Alex Ross is an amazing artist, and many consider him to be one of the best. That being said, I can’t help but wonder what’s up with this cover.
While it’s not really a bad cover, this cover is sent to the “weird category” by the characters’ unsettling expressions. I think Archie and friends are supposed to look like they’re having fun here, yet their faces look sinister. From their eyes to their big weird smiles, it just sends shivers up your spine. They look less like a bunch of fun-loving teenagers and more like they’re about to start a ritual sacrifice! Archie and the gang have never looked so creepy.
2. Wolverine: Revolver
Well, it’s easy to tell what makes this one so weird. Wolverine’s extremely hard to look at in this shot, looking as ugly as the monster in the background. Wolverine’s face looks downright terrifying and the mask he’s wearing doesn’t help. Then we have the claws, which may need to be filed down. I’m sure this cover was supposed to excite the reader, but all it accomplishes is looking terrifying.
3. Batman #199
The good old Silver Age, a time where the ridiculous and weird were common in comics. Batman comics were certainly graced with their fair share of odd covers, but this one really makes you scratch your head.
Here we see Batman looking for the latest copy of Batman comics. Just to ramp up the crazy, he insists that he could die without one. Firstly, Batman’s being a bit overdramatic about his comic book fix. Secondly, Batman trying to buy Batman comics is already rather strange.
Not only that, but there are other DC Comics titles in this particular newsstand like Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern! There are DC Comics in the DC Universe!
Is this a copyright violation? Do you think the superheroes get royalties from those comics?
4. What If? Vol. 2 #34
Ever wonder what underwear the Watcher wears under that big cloak?? No, of course not. Why would you? Well, unfortunately, the “All-Star Humor Special” of Marvel’s What if? answers that question that you didn’t ask, and the answer isn’t boxers! Too much information, Watcher. Too…much.
5. Action Comics #454
This one’s a classic. Superman’s packing away all those burgers and it looks like he’s not going to stop any time soon. This image of Superman eating burgers by the dozen is an effective spectacle with plenty of “GULPS” and “CHOMPS” in the accompanying word balloon.
6. The Flash #152!
So, it’s easy to see what makes this one weird, although there are two aspects competing for superior strangeness: The Trickster’s plan to get away from the “Fastest Man Alive” involves a tricycle, and the fact that it’s working.
7. Pretty Much Every Cover of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen and Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane!
Honestly, I wanted to pick just one for this spot, but there were so many bizarre covers from both comics that I decided to combine them. Almost every single cover of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen and Superman’s Girlfriend, Lois Lane just screams crazy!
And Superman seems a little annoyed at the situations Jimmy and Lois end up in — there are many covers where Lois and Jimmy are in danger and Superman just doesn’t seem to care. Some “Super Friend” he is!
Still, these covers revel in the insanity that was the Silver Age and they’re just a joy to look at! If you’re looking for something so goofy that it’s lovable, then these are definitely up your alley!
Did I miss one? Let me know in the comments below!
