Iconic DC covers from another universe...

[kamino_neko]

If you watch Fringe, you might have caught sight, in the last episode, of some alternate-universe versions of some iconic DC comics covers. If you missed it, or don't watch Fringe, worry not...DC put them up on the DCU blog.


First - Red Lantern/Red Arrow is a reference to Green Lantern #76:


Not much difference, although Reis modernized the costumes. But both the original being referenced and the fact that it's NOT that cover are pretty obvious, which, given it's use as a quick visual reference is essential.

And anyone else think it's a pity that Roy's going back to Arsenal, since Red Lantern Red Arrow would be a great title to use in current continuity? >_>

Batman 75 is an interesting one. Obviously it's the Death of Batman, and based on Superman 75.

But it's not based on the cover, itself:


No, it's based on the armband that came with it, and the bag the whole deal was packaged in. Which can be seen here, and is far more iconic, I think.

Next comes Crisis on Infinite Earths #7, based on...Crisis on Infinite Earths #7.



The alternate-universe version might have been better - or at least more time-consistent - with Kara in the same 80s-tastic costume she was wearing at the time in the real world. (Although, I do find it interesting that it's a mixture of her current one, and that one.)

The next two, the real covers are pinched from comics.org, thus the size. Sorry.

Next up is Justice League #1. Based on...JL #1.



Jonah Hex is an interesting replacement for Guy. Like the Crisis cover, some of the more modern aspects - particularly the colouring - is a little jarring, and I kind of wish they'd mixed up the membership, or costuming a bit more - have Dinah in her original costume, or her modern one...have Mary Marvel instead of Billy...that sort of thing. Not too much to make it not recognizable at a glance, but enough to make it look a little more different at a quick look.

And The Man of Steel Returns, based, of course, on The Dark Knight Returns.


And this is done like I wish the JL cover had - it's a MAJOR change, easily noticeable at a glance (keeping the colour in his cape and S-shield help), but it also retains the elements that make the iconic reference obvious.

All-in-all a nice little 'thing' and well executed.

Oh, lord, tags...

publisher: DC, char: Superman/Clark Kent, char: Supergirl/Kara Zor-El, char: Batman/Bruce Wayne, char: Green Lantern/Hal Jordan, char: Green Arrow/Oliver Queen, group: Justice League International

Comments

[lencannon]

I want to read each of these comics in their totality.

[kamino_neko]

Me too - or, more so, I want to read the aftermath of the Death of Batman*, and Superman buying it in Crisis. (And I bet that universe's Frank Miller was pissed - he's in the middle of writing TMoSR and they off Clark!)

* I'm imagining Dick in armour sort of like Azrael's in Steel's place, a kid claiming to be Bruce Wayne from one of the universes destroyed in the Crisis as Superboy (he can take the name Robin once the whole thing's over), Two-Face in the bat-costume for the Cyborg, and a mind-controlled Alfred as a bat-cowled killing machine replacing the Eradicator. >_>

[blake_reitz]

Perfect. AND I can't wait to read Grant Morrison's SUPERMAN R.I.P. and the Return of Clark Kent a scant two decades later!

[blake_reitz]

1. I think Roy should become Red Arrow again and have crazy cross-country team-ups with Atrocitus! Rage party!
2. Johna Hex as the new leader of the Justice League. I demand it.

[arbre_rieur]

Interesting that the Giffen and DeMatteis credit gets replaced by "Johns and Kanalz."

[thormonger]

[I posted this response on the DCU blog]: I’m not sure how much of a change would be inherent in the Red Lantern / Red Arrow issue (assuming that red is the color of willpower, and not the color of rage, in the alternate universe). Still, these would make some interesting one-shots (and I don’t think Batman would give Jonah Hex the one-punch treatment). I’d love to see some more alternate covers (maybe Flash in blue and silver, a Golden Age JSA with characters like Doc Savage on the roster, The Endless with Lady Dream and her brother Death, etc.)

[kamino_neko]

I’m not sure how much of a change would be inherent in the Red Lantern / Red Arrow issue (assuming that red is the color of willpower, and not the color of rage, in the alternate universe).

On the other hand, the colour war would definitely be interesting to see. The colours couldn't pivot positive and negative around the greens, with Will assigned to Red.

And, yeah, more alternate universe covers would be cool. Perhaps we can come up with some ideas on this comm...

[falseaesop]

Wouldn't "The Man of Steel Returns" be Kingdom Come with more talking news head pannels?

[thebigapricot]

They gave Canary a lower neckline but still forced her to wear that ugly headband.

[jlbarnett]

Hal does look pretty pissed on the Red Lantern/Red Arrow cover though.

[thanekos]

I suppose Red Lantern's Sinestro wears blue.

[mad]

I don't care what anyone says, I like that old costume from her JLI days.

[mad]

I guess so. It's always bugged me that a Green Lantern's weakness (and/or his enemy's power ring) is yellow, rather than red. Colour theory, people! Red is the opposite of green!

[seriousfic]

A world where Batman died? What a crazy parallel universe!

Although I'm actually a little surprised they didn't go with a cheap shot like "Cassandra Cain's 200th issue!" Maybe it's all the BND/OND/OMIT business over at Marvel.

[halialkers]

I would love to see the Man of Steel returns......

[pictash.livejournal.com]

Is it just me or does anyone think Superman's arm looks like Popeye in TMOSR?

[greenmask]

Why were there alternate versions? It seems a nifty idea, but what was it for?

BS theory in 3...2...1!

[bluejaybirdie]

Well, primary colors in art are red, yellow, and blue; while primary colors in science are red, green, and blue. Maybe yellow got pissed at green for taking its spot and that's why they're enemies! :P

Re: BS theory in 3...2...1!

[mad]

Ha, that is true.

Man, considering that it's comics and printed material, they shouldn't just gone with the CMYK model!

[khamelea]

It's from an alternate universe?

[greenmask]

..What is?

Re: BS theory in 3...2...1!

[nagaoka]

Well, Sinestro is kinda magenta colored. Guess that's why he makes such a good rival.

Re: BS theory in 3...2...1!

[mad]

Point!

[mad]

They appeared appeared in the background on a TV show where the characters when to an alternate universe.

So, in an alternate universe, DC published comics where Superman died at the end of COIE, Batman died in the 90s, and Hal and Ollie are Red Lantern and Red Arrow.

Yeah, idunno.

[greenmask]

Ohhh.

Thank you!