As much as I enjoy psychedelic, surreal covers, sometimes a realistic image can be just as powerful in its own way. With this in mind, this week I present to you a selection (although not any kind of close analysis) of impressive covers of Batman comics that effectively summarize what their issue’s story is about without resorting to overblown visuals.
Each of these ten examples outlines a clear high concept through simple symbols depicted in a straightforward, figurative style:
BATMAN VS DEADSHOT
Batman Adventures (v2) #5
BATMAN VS SCARECROW
Batman Annual #19
BATMAN GOES TO JAIL
Gotham Knights #25
JLA GOES TO A DESTROYED GOTHAM CITY
JLA #32
WHO WILL STEP INTO ROBIN’S SHOES?
Batman #18
BATMAN’S WAR GAMES END UP IN DEATH
Batman #631
BATMAN & WONDER WOMAN ARE AN ITEM
JLA #90
BATMAN VS WONDER WOMAN
Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia
BATMAN VS GEARHEAD
Detective Comics #717
BATMAN VS KEVIN SMITH
Batman: The Widening Gyre #5
NEXT: Batman goes to court.