by Nick Jones

DK, out now

A glorious selection of cover art from the 30s to the present day.

As is pointed out in the introduction to Nick Jones’ selection of covers representing the many changes in DC over the decades, cover art has a very particular job to do. Its primary purpose is to grab the person whose eye might otherwise slip across the magazine on the racks, and promise them a taste of what’s within. That can be with an action scene, an impression of a key moment, or the atmosphere of what’s inside those covers – that you can only discover if you buy it (no points for reading the comic or magazine in the store!).

How that’s been expressed has changed as comic art has metamorphosed over the years, and one of the things that Jones does well here is provide us with both typical examples of the period and the ones that broke the mould.

Divided into the various Ages (Bronze, Silver, Steel etc.) he provides covers for the all-important first issues or first appearances of key characters – or where they’ve altered dramatically, that look’s debut (such as Wonder Woman and Superman particularly) – as well as covers that are simply eye-grabbing. Each image is accompanied by a short paragraph on their origin, with Jones providing his own sometimes suitably hyperbolic descriptive text alongside the raw data. Interspersed are short biographies on some of the key players for context.

Verdict: I’m sure there are DC aficionados who will fight tooth and nail for the inclusion of one of their favourites over the ones here, but as someone who’s enjoyed rather than submerged myself in them over the years, the selection is a visual feast. 9/10

Paul Simpson

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