Cover that pay homage to, or parody an existing cover or artwork.
Introduction
The comic book cover is created to draw attention, and it is usually up to the artist to create a striking image to entice the customer to purchase the comic. Sometimes the cover art on a particular issue becomes so iconic that other cover artists feel that they must pay tribute by making their own version of the image. This is an introduction to many different poses and styles that have been paid homage to over the years.
Homage Covers
The largest portion of covers that pay homage, are usually honouring the work of previous comic book covers. They tend to be direct tributes, although occasionally there are unintentionally alike covers. Special attention should be drawn to Arthur Suydam who has produced a large back catalogue of homage covers with a bizarre yet humorous twist for the various Marvel Zombies titles.
Uncanny X-Men #136 & Crisis on Infinite Earths #7: The Extreme Mourning While Carrying A Dead Loved One Pose
A really iconic cover and perhaps the most homaged one of all. Neither Uncanny X-Men #136 nor Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 are the first of this kind, there's been countless variations as far back as the 1950's. However, those two issues are listed since they are two of the most recognizable homages. It is probably impossible to determine which was the very first 'carrying a dead loved one' as there's not that many ways to stand with a dead person in your arms. It is debatable that the inspiration is the Pietà (see 'Fine Art' below), although it is arguable since the post isn't as strong or dynamic.
- Uncanny X-Men #136 (1980) Cover by John Byrne
- Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 (1985) Cover by George Perez
It is alleged that the resemblance between the two and any of the ones before is completely unintentional.
It has become a popular pose for many different artists, but it has not stopped artists from repeating their own work. George Perez has used the 'carrying a dead loved one' pose on at least three occasions, one of which (Mighty Mouse #4) being a direct homage to his own work on Crisis on Infinite Earths #7. In other instances, the pose has been repeated within the same series, with uses in Uncanny X-Men #167 and the X-Men mini series Phoenix: Endsong.
There are other covers that are much more similar which is why it has its own section. Many examples cited pre-date both the Uncanny X-Men and Crisis on Infinite Earths . Recent years have continued to use of this classic pose on comic covers, such as Phoenix: Endsong #4 and Firestorm #21.
- Space Adventures #24 (1954) By Steve Ditko & John Severin
- Lois Lane #102 (1958) Cover by Curt Swan
- Batman #156 (1963) By Sheldon Moldof
- The Mighty Thor #127 (1966) By Jack Kirby
- Lois Lane #128 (1972) Cover by Bob Oksner
- Uncanny X-Men #167 (1983) By Paul Smith
- Wonder Woman volume 2 #3 (1987) Cover by George Perez
- Mighty Mouse #4 (1991) Cover by George Perez
- Radioactive Man #412 (1994) Cover by Bill Morrison
- Phoenix Endsong #4 (2005) Cover by Greg Land
- Firestorm #21 (2006) Cover by Jamal Igle
See this gallery for more examples.
Giant-Size X-Men #1: New Team Bursts Through The Cover To The Amazement Of The Old Team
Another very popular cover to reproduce is Giant-Size X-Men #1 by Gil Kane. It featured the all-new all-different X-Men team literally ripping through the cover, with the ripped-portion of the cover featuring the original x-men team looking shocked. This image has became a symbol of change, and has been homaged many times. It is primarily used to introduce a new team, although has on occasion signified a new writer or artist. There have also been several variations of this cover where the characters just jump through a generic cover.
- Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) Cover by Gil Kane
The cover to X-Men: Deadly Genesis #1 features deceased versions of the X-Men, yet it predated Marvel Zombies #1 by one month. Given the short amount of time between titles, it is debatable although seemingly unlikely that it influenced Arthur Suydam in creating his popular zombie homage covers. Also note that although the Deadly Genesis cover reproduces the poses for the characters used in Giant-Sized X-Men, Thunderbird is missing.
However, it has not been used exclusively within the X-Men universe of titles. Perhaps because fans demanded it, the cast of Futurama were also posed as the classic all-new all-different X-Men in Futurama Comics #8. It features Leela who is mutant cyclops as a replacement for the mutant team-leader Cyclops, with Bender standing-in for Wolverine. Also of note, Philip J Fry appears in Colossus' place, but appears to be wearing the familiar outfit of the Dark Phoenix. This cover also parodies the comic book grading company, CGC LLC. The comic appears to be encased in plastic with a CIC grading of Minty Fresh 11.5, mimicking the Spinal Tap joke of 11 being above 10 (the maximum grade).
- Uncanny X-Men Annual #10 (1987) Cover by Art Adams
- Uncanny X-Men #254 (1989) Cover by Erik Larsen
- Futurama Comics #8 (2002) By James Lloyd
- X-Men: Deadly Genesis #1 (2006) Cover by Marc Silvestri
See this gallery for more examples.
Amazing Fantasy #15: Spider-Man Swings Through The Air With Someone Under His Arm
Amazing Fantasy #15 contained the first appearance of Spider-Man, and is perhaps Marvel Publishing's single most important comic book to date. As such it has been replicated many times, because of the iconic character just as much as for the cover itself.
- Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) Cover by Steve Ditko
- Deadpool #11 (1997) By Nathan Massengill & Pete Woods
- Amazing Spider-Girl #0 (2006) by Pat Olliffe & Ron Frenz
- Marvel Zombies #1 (2006) Cover by Arthur Suydam
See this gallery for more examples.
Action Comics #1: Superman Smashing A Car
If Amazing Fantasy #15 is Marvel's most important comic book to date then Action Comics #1 is DC Comics' and comics in general's most important comic book. History speaking, it is also the introduction of mainstream superheroes into mainstream comics books; featuring the first appearance of Superman, superhero comics' most iconic and recognizable character. It was a dramatic image for the late 1930's, and clearly shows a daring feat of strength that had been previously unseen in any medium.
- Action Comics #1 (1938) Cover by Joe Shuster
By no means is the image exclusive to DC Comics. Among others, Marvel made an homage of Action Comics #1 fifty years later in 1988 with Amazing Spider-Man #306.
- Action Comics #685 (1993) Cover by Jackson Butch Guice
- Amazing Spider-Man #306 (1988) Cover by Todd Mcfarlane
- Action Comics #800 (2003) Cover by Drew Struzan
See this gallery for more examples.
Fantastic Four #1: Attack Of The Underground Monster
Fantastic Four #1 was another important issue for Marvel since it marked the beginning of the modern marvel universe.
- Fantastic Four #1 (1961) Cover by Jack Kirby
As the first edition of a popular Marvel team, Fantastic Four #1 also has it's own Zombified homage on the variant cover to Ultimate Fantastic Four #30. It was deemed iconic enough for a homage on the first issue of Simpsons Comics with Homer Simpson taking the place of the giant underground monster.
- Ultimate Fantastic Four #30 (2006) Variant Cover by Arthur Suydam
- Simpsons Comics #1 (1993) by Bill Morrison & Cindy Vance
See this gallery for more examples.
Uncanny X-Men #1: Magneto Versus The X-Men
Originally it was published as The X-Men #1 which is evident from the cover, however the name has since changed to Uncanny X-Men #1.
- Uncanny X-Men #1 (1963) Cover by Jack Kirby
- Uncanny X-Men #104 (1977) Cover by Dave Cockrum
- Marvel Zombies #4 (2006) Cover by Arthur Suydam
- Marvel Knights: 4 #24 (2006) Cover by Michael Allred
See this gallery for more examples.
Superman #1: "Higher Than The Tallest Building"
It says something about the changing face of comic books when the cover proudly boasts, 'All In Full Color', which is something that is now expected and taken for granted.
- Superman #1 (1939) Cover by Joe Shuster
Ambush Bug is a renown comedic character in the DC Universe, so for the first issue of his series they parodied the first issue of Superman's series; right the way down to the boast about 'Full Color'. The cover for Superman #1 doesn't have the most dramatic composition but it has still been homaged many times. Action Comics #643 features the same pose, but redrawn by George Perez some 50 years after it first appeared in it's sister-title Superman. Also, Mr Majestic (a character with a similar power set to Superman) wasn't originally a DC character, but after Wildstorm became an imprint of DC Comics the cover was homaged with Majestic #1.
- Ambush Bug #1 (1985) Cover by Keith Giffen
- Action Comics #643 (1989) Cover by Geoge Perez
- Majestic #1 (2004) By Karl Kerschl
Incredible Hulk #1: Growing Into The Hulk/Hulk Behind Banner
The cover from Incredible Hulk #1 shows the original gray Hulk. From issue #2 and onward he would be the traditionally green colored Hulk. it is another example of a classic Marvel character's first appearance largely being used and re-used within it's own series.
- Incredible Hulk #1 (1962) Cover by Jack Kirby
In Incredible Hulk #324 Hulk returns to his grey-skinned self. While Incredible Hulk #474 is the last issue before the series relaunched. Again, there is the now traditional Zombie homage, care of Arthur Suydam.
- Incredible Hulk #324 (1986) Cover by Al Milgrom
- Incredible Hulk #474 (1999) By Javier Pulido
- Marvel Zombies #1 (2006) Fourth-Print Variant Cover by Arthur Suydam
See this gallery for more examples.
Amazing Spider-Man #50: Spider-Man No More
Amazing Spider-Man #50 is interesting not only because of the cover, but the interior art has also been homaged many times. The cover has a ghostly image of Spider-Man turning his back on a defeated Peter Parker. Meanwhile, the internal image has the dramatic scene in a back alley, where Peter Parker walks away from a trash can with the distinctive red & blue Spider-Man costume hanging over the rim of the bin.
- Amazing Spider-Man #50 (1967) Cover by John Romita
- Amazing Spider-Man #392 (1994) Cover by Mark Bagley
- Manhunter volume 2 #24 (1990) Cover by Grant Miehm & Dick Giordano
- Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #17 (2007) Variant Cover by Adi Granov
- Wonder Man #18 (1993) Cover by Terry Austin
See this gallery for more examples.
Wonder Woman #240: The "Wanted" Poster
This is the typical "Wanted" poster. A theme that appeared to be popular with the first Wonder Woman series that it was adapted and used again in the second Wonder Woman volume.
- Wonder Woman volume 1 #240 (1978) Cover by Dick Giordano
- Wonder Woman volume 2 #57 (1991) By Jill Thompson
Uncanny X-Men #141: 'Days Of Future Past' Caught In Front Of Your Own Wanted Poster
The theme of the 'Wanted Poster' has been altered again and come to represent the popular Days of Future Past storyline. Uncanny X-Men #141 literally had Wolverine & Kate Pryde caught in a spotlight, while their shadows were cast over a wanted poster that gives status updates of certain team-members. Originally it was attention grabbing, and made the reader wonder if it was true that their favourite characters really were 'deceased'.- Uncanny X-Men #141 (1981) Cover by John Byrne
It was so popular that it received it's own homage on the cover of New X-Men #26, where Wolverine & Kate Pryde were substituted by X-23 & Hellion. This was used in a moving storyline which saw a large number of young mutant characters hunted & killed (note: the following issue was also a homage to New Mutants volume 1 #38). In Marvel Zombies Vs Army of Darkness there is another zombified version of all the characters, plus the character of Ash. Also, the characters on the poster are labelled as food, instead of 'deceased', and there is a sly spelling mistake. Meanwhile, the start of the latest New Warriors series features Wondra (the former X-Man, Jubilee) twisting the image as she is caught in the act defacing an 'Initiative Wants You' poster.
- New X-Men #26 (2006) Cover by Paco Medina
- Marvel Zombies vs Army of Darkness #1 (2007) Cover by Arthur Suydam
- New Warriors volume 4 #1 (2007) Cover by Joe Caramagna
There was also an issue of Star Wars: Insider that is worth a notable mention as Obi-Wan's face picture is at the same place as Wolverine's in the original.
See this gallery for more examples.
Justice League #1: Crowded Group Shot
Many fans are certain that the cover for Justice League #1 wasn't the first with this composition, since it is a generic and simple design. However, the comical way the characters were crowded and seemed to recognise that fact has stuck with fans and therefore spawned many similar covers. Not all of them can be said to be homage covers but similar ones have been included.
- Justice League #1 (1987) Cover by Kevin Maguire
That is not to say that Marvel didn't attempt to pay homage to the pose, with X-Factor #146 featuring Jamie Madrox as the Multiple Man filling the entire cover with his duplicates. Marvel's The Pulse #11 included more of their mainstream heroes in a similar style.
- Justice League International #24 (1989) Cover by Kevin Maguire
- Justice League Europe #26 (1989) Cover by Kevin Maguire
- X-Factor #146 (1998) Cover by Tee Vee
- Formerly Known As The Justice League #1 (2003) Cover by Kevin Maguire
- The Pulse #11 (2005) Cover by Mike Mayhew
See this gallery for more examples.
Avengers #4: Captain America Lives Again
The Avengers #4 was the issue that Retconned Captain America back into modern comics. The Golden Age hero from the Second World War was re-introduced with Jack Kirby placing the character center-stage and becoming the focus of the Avengers.
- Avengers #4 (1964) Cover by Jack Kirby
As with the other covers for first appearances from Marvel, they have paid homage to the cover when the character has been replaced by USAgent in Captain America #337. Acclaim paid homage with their cover for X-O Manowar #10. There was also the zombie homage in Marvel Zombies #2, and a Marvel monsters edition in Fin Fang Four #1.
- X-O Manowar #10 (1997) By Scot Eaton
- Captain America #337 (1998) By Tom Morgan
- Marvel Zombies #2 (2006) Cover by Arthur Suydam
- Fin Fang Four #1 (2008) By Roger Langridge
See this gallery for more examples.
Spider-Man #1: Spider-Man Crouching In His Web
When Todd McFarlane launched a new Spider-Man title, his work there was dark, dynamic and helped to prolonghis tenure with Marvel. Spider-Man #1 supposedly sold 2,500,000 (two and a half million) copies, but it also had several variant covers.
- Spider-Man #1 (1990) Cover by Todd McFarlane
- Spider-Man #13 (1991) Cover by Todd McFarlane
- Mighty Mouse #6 (1991) Cover by Milton Knight
- Spawn #8 (1993) Cover by Todd McFarlane
- Marvel Zombies #1 (2006) Second-Print Variant Cover by Arthur Suydam
- Ant #5 (2006) Cover by Mario Gully
McFarlane obviously admired his own work as he quickly recycled it a year later with the black & white Spider-Man outfit for Spider-Man #13, and again two years later with his own series Spawn. When Marvel published Mighty Mouse, the eponymous star tried to replicate Spider-Man #1, but ended up tangled in the spider-webs. Away from Marvel, Ant reproduced the insect theme and pose. In the same year as Ant #5, Marvel Zombies sold out and the cover was changed to a zombie-homage with tiny heroes trapped in the web.
Uncanny X-Men #138: Exit Cyclops
The cover for Uncanny X-Men #138 shows Cyclops leaving the X-Men after the death of the Dark Phoenix. Cyclops dominates the foreground as he sorrowfully walks away from the team. Meanwhile, the X-Men are shadowed and small in the background as they watch him leave.
- Uncanny X-Men #138 (1980) Cover by John Byrne
- New Mutants #99 (1991) Cover by Rob Liefeld
- X-Force #44 (1995) Cover by Adam Pollina
- Gen 13 #52 (2000) Cover by Ed Benes
- Ultimate X-Men #80 (2007) Cover by Yanick Paquette
See this gallery for more examples.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns#1: Jumping Silhouette Over A Bolt Of Lightning
Another ground-breaking & classic story. The cover for Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 is a quite simple image with a Batman silhouette in front of a lightning bolt and dark background. The original featured Batman leaping down through the air. However, the later reprint of the trade paperback changed to pose Batman couching on over-head telephone wires, but still with the lightning strike flashing behind him.- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986) Cover by Frank Miller
- Harbinger #13 (1993) Cover by David Chlystek
- Ultimate X-Men #42 (2003) Cover by David Finch
Some homage covers so closely resemble the image from The Dark Knight Returns #1 that they even have the same dark blue hue for the sky an the lightning is almost identical. Notably, Harbinger #13 places the lightning in the same position and has a female character in a similar pose. It requires a second inspection of each image to begin to spot the differences.
However, not all covers are a direct homage. The theme of a lightning strike behind the character has been a recurring motif with many comic covers, although the characters are not always hidden by their silhouette. A good example is Ultimate X-Men #42, where apparently Storm's powers create the dynamic lightning behind her, but she is still visible in front of the lightning bolt.
See this gallery for more examples.
Journey Into Mystery #83: Thor Spins Mjolnir
Thor made his Marvel debut in Journey Into Mystery #83. The character was borrowed from Norse mythology, but given a Marvel comics 1960's make-over in the same year that Spider-Man & Hulk were introduced. The Norse thunder god whirls his hammer Mjolnir around him creating an impenetrable whirlwind of power that knocks his enemies down.
- Journey Into Mystery #83 (1962) Cover by Jack Kirby
Just like with many of Marvel's other debut covers, this stance has been repeated when introducing other characters who are possible Thor replacements. This includes a female version of Thor in What If...? And in Uncanny X-Man Annual #9 Storm has been tricked by Loki as part of his plan to depose Odin, leaving the New Mutants & X-Men stranded in Asgard. There is also Thena, a potential daughter of Thor from Avengers Next.
- What If..!? #10 (1978) Cover by John Buscema
- Uncanny X-Men Annual #9 (1985) Cover by Art Adams
- Avengers Next #2 (2007) Cover by Mike Wieringo
See this gallery for more examples.
Amazing Spider-Man #39: Dragged Through The Air By The Green Goblin's Glider
The secret identity of the Green Goblin was revealed in Amazing Spider-Man #39. It was also the moment the Green Goblin learned Spider-Man's secret identity, therefore creating a shocking story that led to years more torment. The cover has the Goblin holding Spider-Man hostage and flying him around the city with the terrifying possibility to drop him at any moment.
- Amazing Spider-Man #39 (1966) Cover by John Romita
The early 1990's saw a homage from Sensational She-Hulk #53, with terrible fashion sense and an exaggerated version of the Green Goblin dragging She-Hulk around by her hair. It was 13 years later by time the 2211 version of Green Goblin caught Spider-Man, only by then Spider-Man was wearing the red & gold outfit that he later removed during the Civil War. And according to tradition, a classic Marvel cover must receive a zombie homage; in this case it was the variant cover for the second printing or Marvel Zombies #4. Note the fork that the Goblin holds in order to devour Spider-Man with.
- Sensational She-Hulk #53 (1993) Cover by Tom Morgan
- Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #9 (2006) Cover by Mike Wieringo
- Marvel Zombies #4 (2006) Second-Print Variant Cover by Arthur Suydam
See this gallery for more examples.
The Man of Steel #1: Ripping Off Civilian Shirt/Revealing Secret Identity
There were two covers for Man of Steel #1, both of which features the classic image of Superman ripping his shirt open and revealing the 'S' logo. The regular cover laced Clark Kent down the right-hand side of the image, whereas the variant cover has an extreme close-up of the chest. This iconic image has often featured inside the comics, but this was the first time on a cover.
- Man of Steel #1 (1986) Regular & Variant Covers by John Byrne
- Miracleman: Aphocrypha #2 (1992) Cover by Mark Buckingham
- Supergirl #1 (1996) By Gary Frank
- Supergirl #51 (2000) By Leonard Kirk
- Liberty Meadows #27 (2002) Cover by Frank Cho
Movie Covers
Some comics have also been known to pay homage to movie covers with their issue covers, in particular, a series currently published by Shanda Fantasy Arts known as Shanda the Panda.- Shanda the Panda #42 pays homage to Kill Bill
- Shanda the Panda #39 pays homage to comic book movie, Barbarella
- Shanda the Panda #32 pays homage to Charlie's Angels
- Shanda the Panda #31 pays homage to Bring It On
- Shanda the Panda #28 pays homage to Big Daddy
Fine Art
Covers don't always pay homage to previous covers. There are examples of paying tribute to genuine pieces of traditional art including paintings, sculptures, etc.
The Pietà
The dying Christ. A Pietà is a painting or sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Jesus in her arms. The most famous example is the sculpture of the Pietà by Italian renaissance artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.
- The Pietà (1499) Sculpture by Michelangelo
- Marvel Graphic Novel #1: The Death Of Captain Marvel (1982) Cover by Jim Starlin
- Deadpool #63 (2002) Cover by Alvin Lee
- Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness #3 (2007) Variant Cover by Arthur Suydam
