I'm split between three. I'll put a case for each, I think.
Prog 78
http://www.2000adonline.com/covers/2000ad/thumbnails/78thumb.jpg>
This is one of the greatest covers that 2000AD have ever done. Although I wasn't around when it first came out, it still thrills me to look at it now. Imagine it sitting on the shelf in a newsagent! Ok, so it isn't eyecatching in a traditional way, but if you scan the shelves and come across this... An attention grabbing headline with a disturbing picture!
It sums up everything I love about 2000AD. It appeals to kids, who love the giant ant! It appeals to adults who - let's face it - probably also love the giant ant!
It's inventive and original, and isn't afraid to change key parts of the comic's design to complement the image.
It works on a lot of levels, and proves that art isn't the most important thing all the time - design is just as. A WONDERFUL idea, beautifully carried out and placed on a prog. It remains eyecatching, impressive and amusing even today.
Prog 413
http://www.2000adonline.com/covers/2000ad/thumbnails/413thumb.jpg>
This is a very rare beast indeed (no pun intended!). It's a cover which captures (beautifully) one of my favourite literary moments, and is also a GREAT cover.
Yes, literary.
Not just in comics, but in all the literature I've read. When Toby turns out to be evil, it shocked me. It made me realise just how incredible the strip was. I'd become pretty fond of the grumpy robo-dog by then, and when he turned out to be deranged, it hurt! He betrayed Halo but it felt, in a way, like he'd betrayed me too. THAT'S good reading.
In a 'cover' way, it works spectacularly too! Let's see, trying to sell a sci-fi comic.... Robots? CHECK! Violence? CHECK! Action? CHECK! Bad Pun Thing? CHECK! Explosive art? CHECK!
Toby looks like he really is about to BURST out of the page and get you, which adds to the effect of him betraying YOU, the reader, as well. He's coming to get you...! It has a comical tagline, but also a more sinister one which makes you wonder - after all, this is 2000AD! Nobody is safe. Could Halo be dead? Gibson's art is jaw-dropping here, and it's just one of my favourite images in 2000AD history.
Prog 680
http://www.2000adonline.com/covers/2000ad/thumbnails/680thumb.jpg>
This is slightly more ironic. I don't genuinely think this is a great cover. In fact, I thin it's 'kin terrible!! But it has to be mentioned!! Chronos Carnival - so bad it HAD to be on the cover at least once (it was twice actually, but this is the only one which tries to make being in a wheelchair look exciting - I've been in one. It isn't!!) It's just.... Bad, but so bad, it's REALLY bad.
And the winner is...
Much as I love the Ant Wars cover, I'm going for Toby - because anyone who's ever read Halo Jones can't help but look at that cover and smile, knowingly. It brings back memories of reading it, and it makes you remember how fantastic it was! It's also a fantastic cover from a marketing POV, with the character literally jumping out at a prospective buyer, with two fantastic lines - one amusing, one dramatic, that sit together perfectly. It's a fantastic piece of artwork, perfectly drawn, which captures the excitement of the story and the outstanding thrills you find in 2000AD all in one juicy image.
Follow the link and have a GOOD look at it!
- Dribbles
Prog 78
This is one of the greatest covers that 2000AD have ever done. Although I wasn't around when it first came out, it still thrills me to look at it now. Imagine it sitting on the shelf in a newsagent! Ok, so it isn't eyecatching in a traditional way, but if you scan the shelves and come across this... An attention grabbing headline with a disturbing picture!
It sums up everything I love about 2000AD. It appeals to kids, who love the giant ant! It appeals to adults who - let's face it - probably also love the giant ant!
It's inventive and original, and isn't afraid to change key parts of the comic's design to complement the image.
It works on a lot of levels, and proves that art isn't the most important thing all the time - design is just as. A WONDERFUL idea, beautifully carried out and placed on a prog. It remains eyecatching, impressive and amusing even today.
Prog 413
This is a very rare beast indeed (no pun intended!). It's a cover which captures (beautifully) one of my favourite literary moments, and is also a GREAT cover.
Yes, literary.
Not just in comics, but in all the literature I've read. When Toby turns out to be evil, it shocked me. It made me realise just how incredible the strip was. I'd become pretty fond of the grumpy robo-dog by then, and when he turned out to be deranged, it hurt! He betrayed Halo but it felt, in a way, like he'd betrayed me too. THAT'S good reading.
In a 'cover' way, it works spectacularly too! Let's see, trying to sell a sci-fi comic.... Robots? CHECK! Violence? CHECK! Action? CHECK! Bad Pun Thing? CHECK! Explosive art? CHECK!
Toby looks like he really is about to BURST out of the page and get you, which adds to the effect of him betraying YOU, the reader, as well. He's coming to get you...! It has a comical tagline, but also a more sinister one which makes you wonder - after all, this is 2000AD! Nobody is safe. Could Halo be dead? Gibson's art is jaw-dropping here, and it's just one of my favourite images in 2000AD history.
Prog 680
This is slightly more ironic. I don't genuinely think this is a great cover. In fact, I thin it's 'kin terrible!! But it has to be mentioned!! Chronos Carnival - so bad it HAD to be on the cover at least once (it was twice actually, but this is the only one which tries to make being in a wheelchair look exciting - I've been in one. It isn't!!) It's just.... Bad, but so bad, it's REALLY bad.
And the winner is...
Much as I love the Ant Wars cover, I'm going for Toby - because anyone who's ever read Halo Jones can't help but look at that cover and smile, knowingly. It brings back memories of reading it, and it makes you remember how fantastic it was! It's also a fantastic cover from a marketing POV, with the character literally jumping out at a prospective buyer, with two fantastic lines - one amusing, one dramatic, that sit together perfectly. It's a fantastic piece of artwork, perfectly drawn, which captures the excitement of the story and the outstanding thrills you find in 2000AD all in one juicy image.
Follow the link and have a GOOD look at it!
- Dribbles
Link: http://www.2000adonline.com/covers/2000ad/hires/413.jpg" target="_blank">Toby's gonna GET ya