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As most who read this know, I recently picked up comic book collecting once more this past year. When I became aware of Joshua Middleton's Batgirl variants, I fell in love with hobby once again. I have managed to add a few more Middleton covers as the year has progressed, but still am (hoping) waiting to snag issue 23 at some point in time. Will it happen? Probably not, unless my Litecoins decide to do something. Yes, sadly, as I still own a few Litecoins.
In this article I would like to share with you all my favorite covers for 2018. I've kept the population size to store covers a and b, avoided incentives and store unique variants, and avoided the 1:10 to 1:500s. Most aren't worth much on the secondary market, but I do enjoy good art. With that said, here are my top 11 covers for 2018.
Number 11 Batgirl 27 Middleton Variant
This one seems to be overlooked by most, but I love the a) Barbara Gordon's figure, b) the back light of the Moon, and c) the wonderful colors and new Batgirl suit. I know it's not as in demand as other Middletons, but this was the first one I was able to buy at my LCS, so perhaps it's a sentimental thing for me.
Number 10 Red Hood 29 Putri Variant
I love the colors on this cover, and Putri's style never ceases to amaze. Add a wonderful profile of Batwoman and Jason Todd, and I'm hooked. Putri did a lot of great Red Hood covers this past year, but this one is my favorite.
Number 9 Daredevil 612 Hotz Variant
I love the white background, and the corpse of Matt Murdock in the foreground, carrying the tools of justice forever. It's a good read too, albeit a bit confusing. I'm still not 100% on what the Disneycorp plan is for Daredevil, but we'll find out soon.
Number 8 Venom Annual Sienkiewicz Variant
A bit of abstract/expressionistic art featuring an insane image of Venom? I loved this cover when I saw it at my LCS and snagged two copies. Another one that hasn't done much on Ebay, but I love the colors and image.
Number 7 The Flash 58 Kerschl Variant
I love this cover. My one and half year old daughter loves this cover. I'm not sure why it didn't take off, but there is something very vibrant and fundamental to the character of the Flash embedded in this piece. I might very well get this one slabbed, to be honest with you.
Number 6 Birds of Prey 20 Hughes Variant
Another one that adore and I am considering getting slabbed. You can still get these cheap, and given Adam Hughes, the Birds of Prey (and it's upcoming movie), and Batgirl, this one should in theory be a collector's item in the long term. If not, I still love this piece. I love that Batgirl look (now I have to buy all of the Hughes' Batgirls...)
Number 5 Action Comics 1004 Foil
I don't know what it is about this cover that makes me enjoy it so much. Is it the idea of a Super Man / Super God hovering above creation, and enjoying life? Or is it something about the character who is simply enjoying life, nature, and the Earth? I'm not sure, but I could go into some occult thing or that regarding it, but I won't. I'm just going to enjoy this one long term.
Number 4 Batman 61 Mattina
I know there is some controversy regarding Mr. Mattina, but this Batman image is beautiful. The red and the black, the Bat and the blood red night sky...it's easily my favorite Batman cover this past year. I have no idea what will become of Mattina's stuff given the claims of late, but this one is an easy keeper for me.
Number 3 Catwoman 5 Artgerm Variant
This one isn't as popular as many other Artgerms, and it doesn't really look like an Artgerm, but I thinks it amazing. The soft colors, the slightly expressionist/dreamy quality to the Batman wound around Selina, and the dreamer eyes in Catwoman make this one a winner for me. Another one I am strongly considering getting slabbed at some point: maybe all the Catwoman Artgerms too!
Number 2 Wonder Woman and Justice League Dark Federici Variant
Wow this image is striking. I managed to miss it when it was released, but was able to pick it up on Ebay for around $10USD all in. Another image that is both slightly frightening and very intense, this isn't your parent's version of Wonder Woman. The Hecate story was good, but the cover art was even better by both Federici and Frison on that run.
Honorable Mention : Frison Wonder Woman
Another artist I've learned to appreciate is Jenny Frison. Her run on Wonder Woman may be done, but the back issues are still out there and fantastic. Another one featuring a very dark Diana Prince. It was a rough year for WW, but she made it through.
Number One Batgirl 24 Middleton Variant
And again with Batgirl; I know # 23 gets all the money, but I think this piece is absolutely stunning. The attention given to the coin in the background, along with the look in Babs' eye; this one was perfect for the Two-Face storyline. These are the type of comic books I can't wait to be able to pass along to my daughter when she's older. Whether they will be worth anything is up for debate, but like a good Max Ernst or even a Johnny Friedlander I've picked up over the years, this work of art will be there for her to keep, hang up, and possibly cherish (and of course remember her dear old dad!)
Let me know what you think of the list. And even better, what your top covers were for the year 2018. As always, thanks so much for reading!
Don't dis LTC! It will be back soon. This is the lowest cost and highest speed coin for transactions and soon will show its power.
I'm with your daughter on the The Flash 58 Kerschl Variant. Great action and color. And the Action Comics 1004 Foil is the same for me - maybe it is the monochrome?
Catwoman 5 Artgerm Variant looks like it is from the 1960's - very cool.
I do not know what slabbing is - some way to protect them or frame them?
I don't have any favorites of my own, since I am an old lady in SE Asia and do not read comics at all. I don't like anything creepy or gory so I had to pass quickly with few of yours. But the ones I liked, I really like. What an interesting form of art to collect instead of for the contents. Do you read these too?
Great idea to do this retrospective. It is always good to look back at what you have done.
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ha - I have a real love/hate relationship with Litecoin that I've been chatting about since last January, but you're right, it has some benefits and could be a great coin if it would be adopted at some point.
Thanks for the comment! I do read them as well; it's been one of the better things I've done this past year to get the brain/creativity flowing again!
And you're right about slabbing; it's a means to preserve them long term. Typically, they get graded in terms of quality, and then placed in a plastic enclosure. I'd like to do it to get them hung on walls, etc. going forward. Thanks again!
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Interesting about the brain/creativity flow. I need to do something to get out of my rut :)
Let's pray for LTC. I think that is a good one. I had about 10 choices for transactions and that is the quickest, cheapest and most reliable.
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I hear you - I'm an accountant by trade, and work can get a bit routine and drain the creativity bug. Somehow I managed to stumble back into these books last summer while on a week long vacation with my family and forgot how entertaining these stories can be. And yes, let's go Litecoin - we just need an Amazon type vendor to pick it up to get some mass adoption. It's going to happen eventually...just not sure when.
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These are some really amazing and interesting covers. I especially love the Catwoman 5 artgem variant (#3) and #1 (Batgirl 24 Middleton variant). What I love most about #3 is how there seems to be a lot going on there but it isn't too (distracting?), I think they used just the right colors and blends it just right to give it that "dreamy" feel. And for #1, I love how the two sides of the cover differ drastically, which does help in conveying her character, I love how flowers are also incorporated in her other side...
That daredevil sure does look evil! Lol!! Now, someone needs to go get that tool of justice from him, it doesn't seem like it feels at home....
There is definitely something about #5, it kinda has a peaceful feeling to it...
#6, it looks like its gonna be an action filled on, it sure was conveyed on the cover...
Great collection, i am sure your daughter is gonna cherish them someday...
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Thanks so much! I'm still in the process of getting all of the Middleton Batgirls, and hoping my daughter appreciates them as much as I when she is older. Add to that the Hughes's and Artgerm runs on Batgirl, and well, good thing I've got time to get the collection! Thanks again for the comment - much appreciated
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The top covers for me is number 11 and 3 , they look really nice, I like the batwoman suit on her and the confidence on the catwoman
Nice collections by the way.
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thank you! that Artgerm is highly under appreciated I think, but it's gorgeous. thank you so much for checking this post out and dropping a line !
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What a lovely collection you have made. Lovely books with lovely authors. I can't wait to read them all
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thanks so much - it is amazing how much wonderful art is out there in the world of comic books right now
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Art is always life.
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Hi sagesigma,
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well thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed !
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The last three images are the best. The image of wonder woman looking posessed is something similar to what we see when wonder woman is posessed in justice league versus teen titans. Not the same in imagery but similar in theme.
Great work on capturing those videos.
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thanks! all great books to read too. The whole Hecate/WW storyline started strong but then got a bit meandering, but JLD is back on track. There was a great Federici cover too on that line :
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The art is very graphic and imaginative. I like.
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