In this feature, I spotlight comic book covers that follow a specific theme. Here is an archive of all the cover themes we've spotlighted so far.
Obviously, when someone is as strong and as tough as Superman is, to see him getting punched by someone (and having it actually be felt) is quite a sight! That's why it's been seen so much on covers over the years.
An amusing thing about it, though, is that it was NOT used for the first couple of decades of Superman's career - I think you could make the argument that this cover theme really does not work until Superman is COMPLETELY set as a paragon of strength and toughness - otherwise, it's seen as an ACTUAL sign of weakness, and not "Wow, that guy just punched Superman! What the heck is going on in THIS comic?!? I must find out now!"
In any event, here are ten cool comic covers of Superman showing off his "oh man, I just got punched hard" face
Enjoy!
This 60s cover is one of the first uses of the theme...
Jerry Ordway homaged it 20-odd years later...
Born on a Monday, Punched Superman on a Saturday...
Martian Manhunter? More like Martian SUPERManhunter!!
And now the rest of the League!
Not a good day for Superman!!
Obsession is supposed to love Superman! She shouldn't punch him!
Blockhouse was probably the greatest Superman villain creation of the 1990s...
That Kandorian packed a mean punch, too!
Et tu, Bibbo?!?!
Finally, "Why are you punching yourself? Why are you punching yourself? Why are you punching yourself? Why are you punching yourself? Why are you punching yourself? Why are you punching yourself? Why are you punching yourself? Why are you punching yourself?"
So there you go!
Ten cool comic covers with people punching Superman!
Yep.
That's it.
Okay, you know I couldn't do this without a "Batman punching Superman" cover!
So here it is...
Which of these covers is your favorites?
Any other cool comic covers with Superman getting punched that you like?