They say that you should never judge a book by its cover, but what comic fan hasn't been drawn in by an amazing piece of cover art and gone for a risky purchase? Every decade of comics history has seen incredible examples of art that stand the test of time, but usually, they aren't noticed outside of the fan community.
With that said, there are certain covers out there that are recognized the world over and could be pointed out by non-fans just as easily as collectors. Some are first issues of now-iconic characters, others are stand-out moments in a character's history that caught the attention of the public at large.
10 Jim Lee Redefined The X-Men For A New Decade
Perhaps this one is something of a cheat as it's actually several covers that join together, but regardless, Jim Lee's covers for X-Men #1 in 1991 are perhaps the most well-known images of the mutant heroes to this day. This relaunch, along with the 90s X-Men animated series, catapulted the Marvel team into the A-list.
The incredible complete image showcases the then-current lineup charging into battle against Magneto himself, and every member of the team looks fantastic. The series became the top-selling comic of all time, making it no wonder that so many people immediately picture this scene when the X-Men come to mind.
9 Spider-Man No More Was A Shocking Image
Spider-Man is generally seen as one of the more light-hearted heroes out there, usually cracking a joke and keeping an upbeat tone through even the harshest battles. This approach makes him one of the most popular and relatable heroes of all time.
However, just like the rest of us, sometimes the pressure can become too much, and even Peter Parker has called it quits on his superhero career now and then. The Amazing Spider-Man #50 features an image that many would never have expected to see, that of Peter Parker rejecting the mantle of Spider-Man and walking away from his responsibility... for a time. John Romita Sr, Stan Goldberg, and Sam Rosen worked on this stellar piece.
8 Spawn Sums Up The 90s Perfectly
In 1992, the comics industry was shaken to its core when a team of high-profile creatives left Marvel Comics to form Image Comics, something that was intended to become a genuine competitor to Marvel and DC. The risk was a success, and the first new comic to come from this endeavor was Spawn.
Spawn #1 became an instant icon thanks in part to the controversy around Image, but mainly due to the striking artwork by creator Todd McFarlane. The brand new and edgy hero hit comic fans of the era right in their wallets and is still the image of Spawn that many think of.
7 The Death Of Superman Made Headlines
The early 90s wasn't just a big time for Image, as DC was making records with huge comics events such as Knightfall and the headline-grabbing Death of Superman arc. The latter introduced the fan-favorite monster Doomsday, who managed to do the impossible in his first outing... he killed Superman.
The cover of Superman #75 featured the unforgettable image of Superman's tattered cape caught on a wooden pole amongst the rubble and shocked onlookers. The legendary hero, nor the new villain, were anywhere to be seen on this cover, drawn by Dan Jurgens and Brett Breeding.
6 The Avengers Assembled For The First Time
Jack Kirby is one of the most iconic names in comic history, and he along with Dick Ayers gave the world their first glimpse of the titanic superhero team, the Avengers. Bringing together various solo Marvel heroes of the time to combat the God of mischief Loki, this issue was the start of something very special.
Possibly providing inspiration for Jim Lee's X-Men #1 cover, the image sees the new hero team squaring off against their villain as he taunts them. Thanks to the immense popularity of the MCU and Avengers films, this cover has seen a whole new lease on life within the public consciousness.
5 Marvel's First Family Started It All
Jack Kirby has delivered more than his fair share of renowned comic cover art, and his work on The Fantastic Four #1 was no exception. This issue put Marvel on the map and showcases everything that made the heroic family such a beloved part of the comic fandom.
A huge beast emerges from beneath the city streets as a varied group of heroes tries to stop it before it's too late, and it's easy to imagine how this bold scene would have grabbed the attention of children everywhere in 1961. Often homaged and parodied but never equaled, this cover is easily one of the greatest ever put to paper.
4 Batman's First Appearance Gave Birth To An Icon
Detective Comics #27 was published in 1939, and the world of comics was never the same again. Artist Bob Kane penciled the unforgettable image of a daring hero in a bat suit swinging through the air with a criminal in his grasp. This hero was none other than Batman, one of the most recognizable and beloved comic heroes of all time.
The cover promised the reader "64 pages of action!" which has turned into 80-plus years of unique and compelling storylines. Batman has seen many memorable covers and moments from within the pages themselves, but there's definitely something about this very first appearance that has made it stand the test of time.
3 Here Comes The Spider-Man!
1962 saw the release of Amazing Fantasy #15, the last issue of a failing series that gave Stan Lee the chance to try out a risky new hero. This hero was a nerdy teenager with bad luck, his powers were based on an animal that strikes fear into the hearts of many people. However, this hero became arguably the most loved of all time, and his name was Spider-Man.
This cover, by Jack Kirby and with inks by Steve Ditko, has it all. An eye-catching heroic pose, bold colors, and some snappy dialogue to introduce new readers to a new hero. The image, similar to the first issue of The Fantastic Four, has been replicated countless times across the world of comics due to its utterly legendary status.
2 Captain America Punches Hitler, 'Nuff Said
The early 1940s were a difficult time in history, to put it mildly, and younger people needed an escape from their daily struggles. Comic books became very popular during this period, in particular superhero books, and this was the time in which Captain America made his much-needed debut.
What a debut it was, also. The famous cover features the star-spangled man with a plan landing a right hook across Adolf Hitler's jaw, an image that saw a humorous homage in Captain America: The First Avenger and again, has been widely parodied with affection. Joe Simon and Jack Kirby delivered the goods here.
1 The Man Of Steel Ushers In A New Genre
What else can be said about this image? The cover of Action Comics #1 from June 1938, as drawn by Joe Shuster, is possibly the greatest superhero image to exist and will likely ever exist. Constantly adapted into new Superman media and, you guessed it, referenced and parodied to death within the genre, this is the image that introduced the most well-known superhero of all time to the world.
Anyone and everyone on Earth could probably name this cover in an instant and with good reason. An original copy of this issue can fetch millions on sale, which tells you everything you need to know about how impactful and important it is. From here on out, it was only up, up, and away.