*Pinned* some of the pictures in this video didn't seem to get uploaded correctly. I'm not sure why as they all showed up no problem in final cut pro! very frustrating. Shame to see this happen after so much work
That Wonder Woman Frank Miller...yeeesh. I remember seeing that one and laughing at how odd it looked. The best "worst" cover (not comparison like in this video) is Countdown to Final Crisis #13. Simply the most entertainingly hilarious cover I've ever seen.
I sometimes think modern covers go too far with gimmix? Although some of the art is amazing?! I do love the style of the silver age covers though, I think they got more into the story that was in the book than today's covers do? And I just enjoy the sixties style
@@MintHunterComics I also see a more effective simplicity in a lot of the Silver Age covers. They often nailed the gotta have it, can’t wait to read it appeal without filling in every gap and leaving too little for your imagination to do its job. Starting with the Bronze Age covers tend to get very busy looking and don’t offer much breathing space. Then in the 90’s it starts to become more about the cover than anything inside, too many folks trying for art museum cred. Maybe the Silver Age type of relatively calmer hyperbole wouldn’t sell anymore, but I sure miss it when I look at comics today.
Interesting topic James and well done, you picked some great examples. It's definitely true that variant covers must be raking in the money for the publishers - fans are buying multiple copies of the same comic, same story, with just one difference. Regarding Mila Manara's Spider-Woman #1 cover: Manara is definitely an acquired taste if you haven't grown up in the European comics environment. And don't judge his work on the basis of just one cover, his stories (script and art) are masterful. You're spot-on about Immortal Hulk #9 and I too have never understood the concept or appeal of the X-Babies, the only thing going for them is that Art Adams has drawn stories featuring these characters.
Great idea for a video! The Captain Carter 1 A is great - but that 1:25 is neck and neck. Completely agree on Bats 106. Balent - 🤦🏼♂️. Immortal Hulk 9 is easily my favorite A cover of recent years - made me jump on that run. 👊🏻
I felt this way most recently about Justice League 75. I almost always get the variant, but once in a while the main cover is just too good to pass up.
@@MintHunterComics Thank you. Actually going to a guy's house tomorrow that has 26 long-boxes he wants to unload. I've learned so many key issues of books thanks to your channel. Just hoping to get the same kind of killer keys in the wild like you do. Wish me luck!
I agree with all of them except the Batgirls #1 Yoshitaka Amano variant. He's one of the most well known Japanese visual artists ever. His work on games, variants and other mediums is always amazing.
Really good prizes man, nice one (Andrew)ps. I agree with most of these but especially the picture in picture batman with the yellow background, it's stunning!! Plus that Alex Ross hulk cover is imo the man at the peak of his powers? It is so eye catching and the colours really work to grab your attention? First class!! I used to draw and paint a lot of g novel type of art, but this is on another level
That David Choe variant was my 1st graded book. I'm a big Choe fan he did awesome variants for Batman that I'm waiting to come back from CGC. Great list that Wonder Woman 84 cover was amazing too!!
Hi James, thanks for another fun video. And my compliments for your general kind nature: you do not seek to needlessly criticize/ mock artists you do not like, you try to see what they are doing as well. Much appreciated. On the comics you selected, two remarks. For Captain Carter, I believe you say here that Captain Carter 1 is her first comics appearance, but I believe her first appearance is in Exiles 3? As for Batgirls 1, I fully agree with you that the main cover is better than the variant cover. But, DO check out the Card Stock variant (1C) by Gonzales. It shows Cassandra and Stephanie playing a game, and there is SO much to love: Cass and Steph are playing a video game, a fight game. Cassandra has chosen Batman as her character (we see the screen reflection in the background), which fits, as she worships Batman and sees him as her big example. Stephanie, more the happy girl, chose sexy Nightwing :-) We can also see on the energy bars of both fight characters that Cassandra is absolutely crushing Steph, which should surprise no one. Cassandra is looking determined to win, while Steph is just flabbergasted by it, and Barbara (joining in online?) is just enjoying it all. Then there are the pluche dolls of the heroes: Nightwing, Damian and Tim, and there is Nightwing's dog Bitewing happily sleeping in the corner. It's a great, fun cover, that really matches well with the whole vibe of the Batgirls series. Take care, and know that I love your videos and your joy and passion in the hobbies. You have a fan in the Netherlands.
that king in Black 1:500 is rough but for real, the Superlog cover was the best one imo. as far as Spider Woman's exaggerated ass crack goes, what really made that one pop was that it was an homage to an older art piece. can't remember what exactly but I'll come back and let you know if i can find it. awesome video💯
@@MintHunterComics yeah, if not for that fact, I would definitely agree with it being terrible. I mean, she is cracked out on the cover, tongue totally in cheek😅, but as an homage it gets points from me. Love old art like that so an homage to classics is always good to see. I just wish I could drop the coin for it 😆
Speaking from the future, I would add Action Comics #1000, Batman '89 #1, Batman: Fortress #1, DK III: The Master Race #1, and Deathstroke Inc. #11. I rarely get DC variants since they stopped including the trade dress on variants.
Bats 106 is just stunning despite the fact it marks where Tynion's run began having to bow down to the future state agenda... Bold yellows and purples are always a powerful alternative to Batman's usual blacks and greys. I was so happy to see this become the hardcover collection cover!!
Nice video, I noticed that nowadays cover are more lazy than back in the silver age and Bronze Age a lot of the cover now have no background and sometimes not so good art… I miss the old covers and the corner box oh well. Keep up the good work on your video !
Batgirls #1 Cover B looks so strange and confusing, honestly, i love it, but I agree with you that Cover A looks more appealling as a comic book and not just for the art
I can't bring myself to spend money on digital comics? Maybe it's my age (59) but I feel like I'm spending money and getting nothing? I like to have an actual comic I can hold in my hands if I spend money(Andrew not doreen orr)
I usually prefer A covers regardless, because this variant thing is tiring. But there are some variant covers I get because, yes, they look awesome. But when an A cover smokes the B, all is right with the world of comics.
great video, agree with all of em. Wouldn't mind seeing the opposite as a video too, I've been collecting Walking Dead Deluxe and man nearly all these new covers (especially Tedesco's covers) are just SOOOOO much better then Adlard's on the original run. I like really like Adlard's interiors but it really is hard to compete with Finch and Tedesco on these new variants
Thank you for doing all these videos. What are your feelings about variant covers that pay “homage” to iconic books? Let’s say ASM #300? I loved the way on how McFarlane drew Spidey when he was web-swinging. But all the tributes and parodies can be quite tedious.
I've had this conversation at my LCS often. Sometimes the cover A is a superior product. This was a fun one to tackle because art can be very subjective. I didn't disagree with this list though. That Neal Adams cover was definitely done on a bad day. R.I.P.
For me the variant should be the fan version. Let me explain my thinking. A fan would probably want an excellent piece of art/pin up of there favourite character, Artgerm, Kael Ngu & the like. However to sell the book to someone who doesn't usually purchase then the cover needs to be an advert, exciting, relevant to the content probably with text. Think about early Marvel books they were masters at this. Face it thrue believer you dont want to miss this one! I have the SpiderWoman book, not only is Silk my favourite Not Parker Slidey-verse character, it totally reminds me of the Colossus Wolverine fast ball special.
Just goes to show how art is subjective and not everyone likes the same stuff. Refreshing video. Sucks when you're collecting a run or trying to secure a book for key status with a terrible cover, but that's all part of the game.
If we want to go super modern, issue 11's cover A of Marvel's run of Alien is a masterpiece. Definitely a better cover A than any of the variant's imo.
I absolutely love We Live cover A and always thought that variant was so cringe and just.. terrible but I don’t like disparaging artists so I don’t want to be out here making fun of it. That old man comment on it though had me laughing!
I think Adventures of Superman 500 cover b was a much better cover. The Cover A green one is too generic, where B better reflects the books interior and makes you curious about what is happening. It also came in a white poly bag. Interesting note, the faded layer was removable, not sure if by design or accident.
The thing I hate the most about variants is that they are much too often far far better than cover A. Makes me want to waste my money on them so much more ;) Nice to see some stellar cover As :)
@@MintHunterComics I just caved on a Mike Rooth Swamp Thing #9 variant for my PC. But the original is also sick in its own retro way. Nice to have both. However... that King in Black 1:500... arg... bad... so bad
I tend to like most main covers over variants. Yes, there are cool variant covers, but percentage wise, I prefer the main covers more often. The only one in this list I would say is a tie is the Green Lantern one.
You're mostly correct! I believe she went under the alias of just Peggy Carter there, whereas this is "captain carter" with her own origin and everything. I think thats the distinction
Ice cream man and sandman covers and variants are really 🕶️. And I would much rather have the first appearance of spider woman then the one with big ass.
Maybe it’s just me, but Cover A usually is the best cover overall. I have also noticed that Cover A seems to retain value better than other covers. Again maybe it’s just me.
I like when you make videos ranking stuff... but green lantern isn't that special 🤣 i know you love him, buuuut... how does he make literally EVERY list you've ever done... maybe do the top 10 books that you like EXCLUDING green lantern 😁
JRJ art has always been very off putting to me. There is just something about it that I don't like. There are a few things of his that are okay, especially when it's indie stuff, but his superhero stuff always feels rushed.
That Wonder Woman cover did not come from the right place. It came from a place of ego, impenitence, and self delusion. It's so objectively ugly that its intent seems to be to damage the psyche of the viewer, simply because of how damaged the creator is.
I really hate all this variant crap, but I guess it's here to stay. And I respectfully disagree on the Spider-Woman cover, cover A is extremelly bland in my opinion.
*Pinned* some of the pictures in this video didn't seem to get uploaded correctly. I'm not sure why as they all showed up no problem in final cut pro! very frustrating. Shame to see this happen after so much work
That Wonder Woman Frank Miller...yeeesh. I remember seeing that one and laughing at how odd it looked. The best "worst" cover (not comparison like in this video) is Countdown to Final Crisis #13. Simply the most entertainingly hilarious cover I've ever seen.
Love the "take it away and burn it" comment on the catwoman and Harley. 😆
Great video. Glad we agree on the Captain Carter cover, I felt I was missing something with everyone raving about the What If Variant.
I don’t know why but I’m always more interested in a silver age cover than any modern day covers
I sometimes think modern covers go too far with gimmix? Although some of the art is amazing?! I do love the style of the silver age covers though, I think they got more into the story that was in the book than today's covers do? And I just enjoy the sixties style
That's because those covers are hand drawn and classic as alll hell!
@@MintHunterComics I also see a more effective simplicity in a lot of the Silver Age covers. They often nailed the gotta have it, can’t wait to read it appeal without filling in every gap and leaving too little for your imagination to do its job. Starting with the Bronze Age covers tend to get very busy looking and don’t offer much breathing space. Then in the 90’s it starts to become more about the cover than anything inside, too many folks trying for art museum cred. Maybe the Silver Age type of relatively calmer hyperbole wouldn’t sell anymore, but I sure miss it when I look at comics today.
Interesting topic James and well done, you picked some great examples. It's definitely true that variant covers must be raking in the money for the publishers - fans are buying multiple copies of the same comic, same story, with just one difference. Regarding Mila Manara's Spider-Woman #1 cover: Manara is definitely an acquired taste if you haven't grown up in the European comics environment. And don't judge his work on the basis of just one cover, his stories (script and art) are masterful. You're spot-on about Immortal Hulk #9 and I too have never understood the concept or appeal of the X-Babies, the only thing going for them is that Art Adams has drawn stories featuring these characters.
Great idea for a video! The Captain Carter 1 A is great - but that 1:25 is neck and neck.
Completely agree on Bats 106.
Balent - 🤦🏼♂️.
Immortal Hulk 9 is easily my favorite A cover of recent years - made me jump on that run.
👊🏻
Really cool video I usually think variants are always better because they should be but this change my mind
I love the variety of videos your channel always has.
Love that it started off strong with we live....love that art.
Always
I felt this way most recently about Justice League 75. I almost always get the variant, but once in a while the main cover is just too good to pass up.
Very true. I dug that book too!
Great video, I have both cover A and what if cover for Captain Carter, love both, keep it up
Great cover A's I always buy the A covet and get a variant only if it is really cool. Great video.
Awesome stuff, as always. Starting collecting again because of your channel. Thanks!
That's wonderful to hear!
@@MintHunterComics Thank you. Actually going to a guy's house tomorrow that has 26 long-boxes he wants to unload. I've learned so many key issues of books thanks to your channel. Just hoping to get the same kind of killer keys in the wild like you do. Wish me luck!
What a great idea for a video! Love the channel!
I agree with all of them except the Batgirls #1 Yoshitaka Amano variant. He's one of the most well known Japanese visual artists ever. His work on games, variants and other mediums is always amazing.
I hear ya! def not my cup of tea
Great vid buddy! Nice to see different covers.
Thanks man! A shame some of the pics didn't make it
Really good prizes man, nice one (Andrew)ps. I agree with most of these but especially the picture in picture batman with the yellow background, it's stunning!! Plus that Alex Ross hulk cover is imo the man at the peak of his powers? It is so eye catching and the colours really work to grab your attention? First class!! I used to draw and paint a lot of g novel type of art, but this is on another level
You've got an entry!
@@MintHunterComics thanks man
Oof! The disrespect on that Amano Batgirl cover lol. Agree with the others, but he's a master.
Great content, Thanks for sharing!
That David Choe variant was my 1st graded book. I'm a big Choe fan he did awesome variants for Batman that I'm waiting to come back from CGC. Great list that Wonder Woman 84 cover was amazing too!!
I never saw that Choe before. It’s awesome!
Hi James, thanks for another fun video. And my compliments for your general kind nature: you do not seek to needlessly criticize/ mock artists you do not like, you try to see what they are doing as well. Much appreciated.
On the comics you selected, two remarks. For Captain Carter, I believe you say here that Captain Carter 1 is her first comics appearance, but I believe her first appearance is in Exiles 3?
As for Batgirls 1, I fully agree with you that the main cover is better than the variant cover. But, DO check out the Card Stock variant (1C) by Gonzales. It shows Cassandra and Stephanie playing a game, and there is SO much to love:
Cass and Steph are playing a video game, a fight game. Cassandra has chosen Batman as her character (we see the screen reflection in the background), which fits, as she worships Batman and sees him as her big example. Stephanie, more the happy girl, chose sexy Nightwing :-) We can also see on the energy bars of both fight characters that Cassandra is absolutely crushing Steph, which should surprise no one. Cassandra is looking determined to win, while Steph is just flabbergasted by it, and Barbara (joining in online?) is just enjoying it all.
Then there are the pluche dolls of the heroes: Nightwing, Damian and Tim, and there is Nightwing's dog Bitewing happily sleeping in the corner. It's a great, fun cover, that really matches well with the whole vibe of the Batgirls series.
Take care, and know that I love your videos and your joy and passion in the hobbies. You have a fan in the Netherlands.
Videos like this is why I subbed 🤙🏽 that and your bad ass sideshow swamp thing 😎
All the Ross Immortal Hulk covers were amazing
Awesome video as always bro
This is a great, unique idea for a video!
that king in Black 1:500 is rough but for real, the Superlog cover was the best one imo. as far as Spider Woman's exaggerated ass crack goes, what really made that one pop was that it was an homage to an older art piece. can't remember what exactly but I'll come back and let you know if i can find it. awesome video💯
I did find that in my research!
@@MintHunterComics yeah, if not for that fact, I would definitely agree with it being terrible. I mean, she is cracked out on the cover, tongue totally in cheek😅, but as an homage it gets points from me. Love old art like that so an homage to classics is always good to see. I just wish I could drop the coin for it 😆
Mario Gully's Ant Vol 1 #1 Aug 2005 I believe is the original cover that the Spider-woman homage is from, unless that is also a homage?
Cream always rises to the top. Variant doesn’t always mean better, especially at an extra cost.
Indeed
Agreed Anyone going up against Alex Ross for a Variant defenetly has a uphill battle.
Speaking from the future, I would add Action Comics #1000, Batman '89 #1, Batman: Fortress #1, DK III: The Master Race #1, and Deathstroke Inc. #11. I rarely get DC variants since they stopped including the trade dress on variants.
I love this video! I need to get that cry of the huntress series
Bats 106 is just stunning despite the fact it marks where Tynion's run began having to bow down to the future state agenda...
Bold yellows and purples are always a powerful alternative to Batman's usual blacks and greys. I was so happy to see this become the hardcover collection cover!!
Yeah it is a shame - all those books that followed were very meh
Nice video, I noticed that nowadays cover are more lazy than back in the silver age and Bronze Age a lot of the cover now have no background and sometimes not so good art… I miss the old covers and the corner box oh well.
Keep up the good work on your video !
Batgirls #1 Cover B looks so strange and confusing, honestly, i love it, but I agree with you that Cover A looks more appealling as a comic book and not just for the art
Great video!
I agree with all of these pics, some of those variant covers WTF!
Daredevil issue 1-12 by zdarsky had insane cover As by Julian Tedesco. In fact all of his covers for any character are ridiculous
I agree with your opinion
Thanks!
Awesome content. I never got a slab yet but I got a ton of comics. Ima big fan of silver age comics.
Nice! Many people saying keep it raw!
That Miller variant is kinda tight.
The good intentions WONDER WOMAN cover might have worked if the art didn’t look like it was in a coloring book you’d find at the 99 cents store.
Wonder Woman with that “baby” stringed to her is horrifying 4:35
HORRIFYING
Awesome covers
The cover A for sure!
Nice topic, man. That Wonder Woman with the baby on her back may be the worst of the ones you showed. Thanks and have a good day.
It's ROUGH
I hate variant covers as a rule, but I want that David Choe and I wouldn’t mind the Milo Manara either.
The first appearance of Captain Carter is actually in Exiles #3 from 2018 - a book I REALLY wish I had bought physically and not digitally.
Ah that's just Peggy Carter though! Technically it's not "Captain Carter" (although it's a technicality)
I can't bring myself to spend money on digital comics? Maybe it's my age (59) but I feel like I'm spending money and getting nothing? I like to have an actual comic I can hold in my hands if I spend money(Andrew not doreen orr)
I would really love that 20k sub give away. I'm close to having a full run of that Superboy series. Hope my name gets drawn.
This seems to be the case with so many comics these days. Some variants are great though if you are looking for great art of the virgin kind.
I usually prefer A covers regardless, because this variant thing is tiring. But there are some variant covers I get because, yes, they look awesome. But when an A cover smokes the B, all is right with the world of comics.
great video, agree with all of em.
Wouldn't mind seeing the opposite as a video too, I've been collecting Walking Dead Deluxe and man nearly all these new covers (especially Tedesco's covers) are just SOOOOO much better then Adlard's on the original run.
I like really like Adlard's interiors but it really is hard to compete with Finch and Tedesco on these new variants
Quote honestly the opposite there's a lot more examples of. Most variants are comparable or even cooler tbh
Thank you for doing all these videos. What are your feelings about variant covers that pay “homage” to iconic books? Let’s say ASM #300? I loved the way on how McFarlane drew Spidey when he was web-swinging. But all the tributes and parodies can be quite tedious.
I've had this conversation at my LCS often. Sometimes the cover A is a superior product. This was a fun one to tackle because art can be very subjective. I didn't disagree with this list though. That Neal Adams cover was definitely done on a bad day. R.I.P.
👍💯.Great video!
For me the variant should be the fan version. Let me explain my thinking. A fan would probably want an excellent piece of art/pin up of there favourite character, Artgerm, Kael Ngu & the like. However to sell the book to someone who doesn't usually purchase then the cover needs to be an advert, exciting, relevant to the content probably with text. Think about early Marvel books they were masters at this. Face it thrue believer you dont want to miss this one!
I have the SpiderWoman book, not only is Silk my favourite Not Parker Slidey-verse character, it totally reminds me of the Colossus Wolverine fast ball special.
I agree. Most of the regular covers are better than most variants.
i don't normally by variant covers, although I have a few uncommon ones.
cool concept.
Damn now I'm kinda saddened we didn't get a dad bod Superman and Batman variant
I'll draw one haha
Just goes to show how art is subjective and not everyone likes the same stuff. Refreshing video.
Sucks when you're collecting a run or trying to secure a book for key status with a terrible cover, but that's all part of the game.
Im a big fan of the reg covers.lately the reg covers of most of my books have been better than any of the variants!👍
I totally agree!
I think this stuff can be super subjective, however given the shear numbers of variants there has to hundreds where CoverA is the best.
Is that Hasbulla on the We Live variant cover??
I agree the main Robin Cry for Huntress covers are better than the enhanced ones.
Indeed
If we want to go super modern, issue 11's cover A of Marvel's run of Alien is a masterpiece. Definitely a better cover A than any of the variant's imo.
I absolutely love We Live cover A and always thought that variant was so cringe and just.. terrible but I don’t like disparaging artists so I don’t want to be out here making fun of it. That old man comment on it though had me laughing!
Yassss
I agree with all of them except Batman 106. I like the bat family cover better myself
I think Adventures of Superman 500 cover b was a much better cover. The Cover A green one is too generic, where B better reflects the books interior and makes you curious about what is happening. It also came in a white poly bag. Interesting note, the faded layer was removable, not sure if by design or accident.
I don’t understand how some of that artwork made it on to the covers.
The thing I hate the most about variants is that they are much too often far far better than cover A. Makes me want to waste my money on them so much more ;) Nice to see some stellar cover As :)
True. And its a shame! That's why it's nice to see these bulletproof covers As which make variants impossible to beat!
@@MintHunterComics I just caved on a Mike Rooth Swamp Thing #9 variant for my PC. But the original is also sick in its own retro way. Nice to have both. However... that King in Black 1:500... arg... bad... so bad
Spawn variants are always the best
This is true
I prefer the main cover of spiderpunk #1 than the close up variant
I tend to like most main covers over variants. Yes, there are cool variant covers, but percentage wise, I prefer the main covers more often. The only one in this list I would say is a tie is the Green Lantern one.
I veryyyyyyyyy rarely buy a variant these days
Captain Carter 1 is not her first appearance in comics. It was in an exiles book I believe. I thought the same thing when I bought it. Just FYI
Love your stuff. Keep it up
You're mostly correct! I believe she went under the alias of just Peggy Carter there, whereas this is "captain carter" with her own origin and everything. I think thats the distinction
@@MintHunterComics If the community decides it’s her first appearance, I’m all in lol. I have like four copies of it lol
sooooo many variants!!! uhg
If I like the cover that usually dictates whether I get the book
Ice cream man and sandman covers and variants are really 🕶️. And I would much rather have the first appearance of spider woman then the one with big ass.
Hahaha same
Maybe it’s just me, but Cover A usually is the best cover overall. I have also noticed that Cover A seems to retain value better than other covers. Again maybe it’s just me.
I like variants but don't like it when comic companies make more then one or two of a specific issue.
Agreed
It’s all about the $ for the comic industry, so we understand that but some comics have way too many variants , not fair for the average collector…
Agreed
I like when you make videos ranking stuff... but green lantern isn't that special 🤣 i know you love him, buuuut... how does he make literally EVERY list you've ever done... maybe do the top 10 books that you like EXCLUDING green lantern 😁
Always Main covers > Scottie Young variants
Lol
JRJ art has always been very off putting to me. There is just something about it that I don't like. There are a few things of his that are okay, especially when it's indie stuff, but his superhero stuff always feels rushed.
That Batgirls 1D is awesome. Yoshitka Amano has such a unique style.
I think number one should have been any action figure variant.
Yes, Liefeld has made contributions to comics. Yes, his art is not one of them.
Bad variants make no sense to me
Agreed
I don’t think the issue with The Wonder Woman example is pandering, it’s just ugly/poorly done.
Some of those variants are just scary and horrible looking!
Those Robin covers are truly awful lol
That Wonder Woman cover did not come from the right place. It came from a place of ego, impenitence, and self delusion. It's so objectively ugly that its intent seems to be to damage the psyche of the viewer, simply because of how damaged the creator is.
Hahahaha I can't disagree
I really hate all this variant crap, but I guess it's here to stay.
And I respectfully disagree on the Spider-Woman cover, cover A is extremelly bland in my opinion.
Feel free to disagree! I think it pops
That DK3 wonder woman cover makes my eyes bleed. 👀 🩸 Who at DC approved that for printing????
🫣🫠😵💫 Making the hobby fun, even with crazy variants.
This