Comics

Top 25 Covers of 2015

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The polls have closed and the results are in! Below, you’ll find the Top 25 Covers of 2015, as voted by you! Now, before we jump into this list, I have to share that we had nearly double the amount of votes for this poll, than we’ve ever had for a cover poll… and the total number of votes for this poll, was almost ten times the number of votes we receive for the Weekly Cover Polls.

I will admit that some of the voting habits really surprised me though. I’ve held enough of these by now that I’ve started to see trends in voting, and those trends didn’t necessarily show through here. For example, the Dark Knight covers didn’t perform as well as I thought they would, and where I initially thought Fabok would dominate this poll (and in some ways he did), his Justice League covers almost appeared to cancel each other out. It should also be noted that the second grouping of covers received 25% less votes than the first grouping… Which to me is a sign that there were probably too many covers in the poll (which I would agree with, and we’ll correct for this year now that we’re past the growing pains). Anyway, let’s not delay this any longer!

 

Here are the Top 25 Covers of 2015!

 

  1. Robin, Son of Batman #1 by Robbi Rodriguez

    One of the more vibrant covers to make the list, it's easy to see why it's so popular with the contrast of the white against the pops of yellow, red, and fuchsia.
    One of the more vibrant covers to make the list, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular with the contrast of the white against the pops of yellow, red, and fuchsia.

 

  1. Batman #39 by Andy Kubert

    I feel like it wouldn't be a valid list if we didn't have the legendary Andy Kubert featured! This variant cover from Snyder's Endgame arc plays into so many aspects we love: Bats, Joker, and the ever-popular Death of the Family arc.
    I feel like it wouldn’t be a valid list if we didn’t have the legendary Andy Kubert featured! This variant cover from Snyder’s Endgame arc plays into so many aspects we love: Bats, Joker, and the ever-popular Death of the Family arc.

 

  1. Grayson #9 by Mikel Janin

    The cover for Grayson #9 is great for many reasons: it's simple, there's a contrast in technique and color, and it highlights Janin's ability to capture physical features impeccably! And if there's anyone in the DC Universe that can wear a suit, it's Dick Grayson!
    The cover for Grayson #9 is great for many reasons: it’s simple, there’s a contrast in technique and color, and it highlights Janin’s ability to capture physical features impeccably! And if there’s anyone in the DC Universe that can wear a suit, it’s Dick Grayson!

 

  1. Batman #38 by Danny Miki & Greg Capullo

    Some of Capullo's best covers from Batman were from the Endgame arc. This is just one of them that will be featured on this list, and it's easy to understand why. It's dark, moody, and not your typical "superhero splash cover." This cover brilliantly captured the contrast of Batman and the Joker, played into the mystery surrounding the Joker at that time, and foreshadowed a shocking moment that would occur in the Endgame arc.
    Some of Capullo’s best covers from Batman were from the Endgame arc. This is just one of them that will be featured on this list, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s dark, moody, and not your typical “superhero splash cover.” This cover brilliantly captures the contrast between Batman and the Joker, while playing into the mystery surrounding the Joker at that time. It also foreshadowed a shocking moment that would occur in the Endgame arc.

 

  1. Justice League #43 by Brad Anderson and Jason Fabok

    The first of many Fabok covers to make the list, this cover from Darkseid War was the first glimpse we had of members of the League becoming new gods. With it's Tron-like vibe, this cover really is unique compared to anything on our list.
    The first of many Fabok covers to make the list, this cover from Darkseid War was the first glimpse we had of members of the League becoming new gods. With it’s Tron-like vibe, this cover really is unique compared to anything on our list.

 

  1. Batman & Robin Eternal #13 by Carlo Pagulayan

    BR Eternal 13
    Why is this cover so great? It captures Cassandra Cain perfectly! The themes of Batman, blood, and using the two as a warpaint sums up Cassandra, and why many considered her the perfect reflection of Batman in previous continuity.

 

  1. Grayson #6 by Mikel Janin

    Grayson 6
    Grayson. Midnighter. And a trippy Spyral effect… What’s not to love?

 

  1. Batman/ Superman #21 by Jock

    Batman Superman Joker
    Jock’s Joker Variant cover for Batman/ Superman #21 is near perfection. Not only does it effortlessly capture the Joker’s madness, but it also captures how his madness effects those around him. If the upcoming Batman V Superman film featured the Joker as the primary villain, this cover could serve as a perfect movie poster!

 

  1. Justice League #42 by Brad Anderson, Jason Fabok, and Jaime Mendoza

    Justice League 42
    Speaking of movie posters, the second entry from Fabok personifies why his covers are so popular. They’re cinematic, grand, and epic on nearly every level. This looks like a movie poster for a Wonder Woman film! In fact, I’m willing to bet that this will be better than the Wonder Woman movie poster whenever it gets released! Take note Warner Brothers!

 

  1. Dark Knight III #1 by Tim Sale

    DK III Variant by Tim Sale
    Another example where less is more, Tim Sale’s Dark Knight variant strikingly captures the mythology of the Dark Knight himself, and aptly features the beloved Bat Signal! This cover is a nod to who Batman is, and why he’s been a cultural phenomenon for decades!

 

  1. Catwoman #40 by June Chung and Jae Lee

    Catwoman 40
    I’m so happy this cover made the top 25! In my opinion, Jae Lee delivers some of the most dramatic and artistic work that can be found at DC comics, and this captures that idea perfectly. This was a big turning point for the narrative of this book as well, with Selina taking the initial steps to abandon her role as the head of Gotham’s crime, and revert back to her true nature… Catwoman. Factor in the yellow splash, and this cover is near perfection!

 

  1. Dark Knight III #1 by Gabriele Dell’ Otto

    DK III Variant by Gabriele Dell Otto
    This was the biggest surprise of the results for me! Dell Otto’s Dark Knight variant won it’s cover poll, and considering the conversations I was seeing pertaining to it, I fully expected this cover to be in the top 5, and potentially even take the top spot. Clearly, it didn’t… Despite it’s placement on this list, it’s still an amazing cover that deserves endless praise!

 

  1. Titans Hunt #1 by Tony S. Daniel

    IMG_1188
    This cover has surprised me on two separate occasions now. Initially, I expected it to lose it’s cover poll to Bermejo’s Batman Europa variant, but it managed to prevail. Then I didn’t expect it to even place for this post, and it nearly made it into the top 10! I mean this as no disrespect to the cover, it just didn’t seem to follow the voting trends I’d seen throughout the year.

 

  1. Grayson #6 by Jock (Flash Variant)

    Grayson FV
    Lift a popular Nightwing cover from a previous continuity, and add the Flash running up a building as Nightwing free falls… guaranteed success. Never underestimate something that is fun. In fact, I’d love to see some version of this on film or tv… Can you make that happen DC?

 

  1. Justice League #44 by Brad Anderson and Jason Fabok

    Justice League 44
    If the cover for Justice League #42 is the perfect movie poster concept for a Wonder Woman movie, then this cover is pretty much the teaser art announcing the date for the Justice League movie trailer. There is no footage, just a collage of pictures, but your still peeing your pants with excitement, sharing and hash-tagging on social media like a mad man, then screaming to yourself, “I want this now!” In fact, these covers had me doing just that! Yeah… Fabok’s art is that good.

 

  1. Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1 by Klaus Janson, Andy Kubert, Frank Miller, and Alex Sinclair

    Dark Knight 3 1
    Let’s be honest… this cover is a silhouette of Batman with the lights and shadows switched… and its freaking brilliant! Whoever decided to make such a simple cover with a basic alteration to the color scheme is a genius!

 

  1. Batman #47 by Alex Ross (Harley’s Little Black Book Variant)

    Batman HLBB
    There are so many elements that I think of when I look at this cover! The classic Harley costume automatically makes me think of Batman the Animated Series, but something about the Joker makes me think of Jack Nicholson’s portrayal from 1989’s Batman… Both are amazing, and help make this cover a standout!

 

  1. Justice League #41 by Brad Anderson and Jason Fabok

    Justice League 41
    You know how Justice League 44 is the “teaser image” to the release of the trailer for this fake Justice League movie I’m day dreaming about? Well this is the actual movie poster. The cover of this book is so freaking good that I would like Warner Bro’s and DC to stop whatever it is that they’re cooking up, and just make this movie. I fully expected this cover to be in the top three, but considering how good (and unfortunately similar) Fabok’s covers are, they appear to have competed against each other.

 

  1. Dark Knight III #1 by Greg Capullo

    DK III Variant by Greg Capullo
    The most iconic moment from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight, was the fight between Batman and Superman. It was brutal, intense, and for it’s time, groundbreaking. Seeing Capullo’s interpretation of this scene for the Dark Knight III variant cover took me back to that moment. Seeing this makes me feel those same emotions. The other thing I can’t get out of my head since seeing the latest Batman V Superman TV Spot, is when Batman says to Superman, “Tell me… Do you bleed?” #Epic

 

  1. Batman & Robin Eternal #1 by Tony Salvador Daniel, Sandu Florea, and Tomeu Morey

    Batman and Robin Eternal 1
    This is your standard superhero, splash cover… except it’s so much more. Outside of the amazing technical ability of Daniels, the feature of the Robins, and a split of past and present make this truly exceptional and special.

 

Spoiler

 

  1. Grayson #12 by Mikel Janin

    [caption id="attachment_23112" align="aligncenter" width="1500"]Grayson 12 I adore this cover! For me, it pulls on the heartstrings and emotes everything that makes Dick Grayson such a lovable character. So much of what makes Dick who he is, is his family, and this cover screams family.[/caption]

 

  1. Batman #40 by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and Francisco Perez

    [caption id="attachment_20140" align="aligncenter" width="1500"]Batman 40 Let me be frank, this cover doesn’t get as much attention as it should! A drastic change from what Capullo had been delivering – all of which were intense, moody, and dark covers – this cover is quite different… and to some, perhaps odd. I’m a big fan of this cover because it is inspired by a painting by Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zucarri that’s found on a chapel ceiling in the Vatican. Often deemed “7 Devils,” the painting depicts seven instances of angels defeating demons, and plays into the idea of good and evil – who deserves to kill versus who deserves to be killed; and in turn, who is more or less human. This cover, much like the painting, captures this idea. I can’t help but question who really is more human in these representations: the demonic figure that earns empathy through its pain and perpetual fall, or the righteous violence of the angels… This is some good stuff![/caption]

 

  1. Batman #44 by

    [caption id="attachment_23100" align="aligncenter" width="1500"]Batman 44 Another example where the argument can be made that less is more! Jock isn’t my favorite artist when it comes to interiors, but he’s easily one of my favorite cover artists. I tend to find his covers emotional and bold, and his cover for Batman #44 is no different. It also doesn’t hurt that this cover (and issue) landed at a time when readers were starving to get the real Batman.[/caption]

 

  1. Batman #39 by Greg Capullo, Danny Miki, and Francisco Perez

    [caption id="attachment_18947" align="aligncenter" width="1500"]Batman 39 There were a total of four covers that I honestly thought could take the top spot, and this was one of them. Technically, this cover is perfection! The gray hue. The muted colors. The textured background and simplicity of the image itself. Then there’s the symbolism of Joker squashing a bat as he sits on a pile of corpses and bodies… This cover is one of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen, but it’s done so well that it’s absolutely beautiful at the same time.[/caption]

 

  1. Batgirl #41 by Rafael Albuquerque

    [caption id="attachment_19375" align="aligncenter" width="900"]Batgirl-Joker-variant-solicitation Alright… cue the uproar! A number of people reached out and said that this cover shouldn’t qualify for the poll since it was never released. Ironically, back when this cover was first publicized, Cameron Stewart went on a tirade about how inappropriate it was, how it didn’t fit the tone of the book, and demanded that it get pulled. DC ended up pulling the variant, sending the internet into a separate uproar. At that time was asked our readers if we should or shouldn’t include it in our Variant Cover Poll. The result was overwhelming support of this cover, which led it to win it’s Variant Cover Poll, then win it’s Quarterly Cover Poll, and now snag the Top Cover of 2015! Did the drama around this cover push it to the top spot? Most likely. But at the end of the day, it’s a brilliant cover that captures a defining moment in Barbara Gordon’s history.[/caption]