Few events in all of storytelling are more thrilling than the charge of a thundering cavalry, bursting through for a last-minute save. The spectacle of a massive force united in a single purpose is as uplifting to the heart as it is overwhelming to the senses.
My enjoyment of the "cavalry charge" extends into the realm of superhero comics as well...which, as you can see from this magnificent 1998 Justice Society of America litho by Alex Ross, can be every bit as impressive as the soldiers-on-horseback variety.
Naturally, any comic book cover featuring this "charging into battle" theme will grab my attention and (most likely) end up as part of my collection. A fan of the equally-frenetic clash cover, I guess I'm just a sucker for giant crowd scenes of superheroes careening into conflict. Here are some great examples of what I'm talking about (a few of which you may recognize from previous Simply the Best posts):
As great as the above covers are, a "charge cover" that narrowly edges them out belongs to All-Star Squadron #31 (1984), illustrated by the great Jerry Ordway...
So much to like here:
1. That brilliant red to orange background.
2. Uncle Sam!
3. The dynamic (yet vaguely symmetrical) angles on which the horde of heroes are charging, all radiating out from the central point of Liberty Belle.
4. The inclusion of the Golden Age (or "Earth-2") versions of Superman, Batman, Robin, and Green Arrow, along with several more obscure heroes, including characters from the defunct Quality Comics line (which DC purchased the rights to in 1956). Fans of Superman will note the similarity of his pose to those drawn by o-creator Joe Shuster.
5. That 75¢ cover price. Sure, 75¢ wasn't the small change it is today...but still, just seeing a two-digit price for a comic book always warms the heart.
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Love that All Star Squad cover and it has Plastic Man on it.
I will post a link to this from my site http://plasticmanplatitudes.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Rick | May 31, 2009 at 06:11 AM
Heh. I was thinking of this ish a couple weeks ago when you picked All-Star Squadron #57 for a "Worst Cover Ever." Frankly, I only ever bought two issues of the title -- #1 and #31. And #31 was mainly because it contains a 4-page spread: a roll call of the entire team roster.
Posted by: Grumpy | June 01, 2009 at 03:10 PM
http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/legion/img/gallery/hires/legion1_02.jpg
Posted by: Lauren | June 01, 2009 at 11:20 PM