PPA Best Cover of the Century - vote for the Beano!!

[stevezodiac]

I'm sure we could all name a dozen Creepy, Eerie, Mad, Adams or Steranko covers not to mention quite a few EC comics covers that could beat their ten. What was the criteria?

Spider-man 50 springs to mind. The Steranko clocks SHIELD cover. Any offers?

Just thought of The Saturday Evening Post covers too.

[Digifiend]

I assume part of the criteria was that they had to be British. Most of those you just suggested are American.

[SID]

Although I do like the Beano cover, but to say that is the best cover a British comic has ever produced I would disagree with. For example, Prog 2000 of 2000AD.

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

That Bolland cover also went through my mind earlier yesterday in relation to this thread, Sid.

If USA covers were included, the Brits wouldn't have a look-in---totally agree that MAD and others are often superior on this level-----

I think the BEANO cover stands out because it is so untypical: it's the sort of thing that Andy Warhol or a pretentious art teacher would come up with, and not 'yer typical cartoonist'.

That's not a bad thing---innovation is always to be welcomed.

[Lew Stringer]

The one thing all the covers in that selection share is impact! That's the definition of a good cover. Yes, there have been comic covers that have been better illustrated, funnier, more detailed, but that Beano cover has power.

The idea is to grab the attention of the customer in a shop. A customer who may not even have entered that shop looking for that particular comic or magazine. A good cover stands out from its competition, to have impact that carries across the room. That Beano cover delivers that, as the sales demonstrated.

I gave it my vote.

[philcom55]

While I don't buy Beano every week these days (I know, I know...!) I have noticed that some recent covers featuring Dennis the Menace had a similar, eyeball-grabbing impact. In one case I was so impressed I almost bought it!

- Phil R.

[stevezodiac]

Maybe we could have our own 50 best comic covers of all time.

Off you go...

[Peter Gray]

I liked Dudley's Biffo covers..I could relook and look at them for ages...just brilliant..the early Biffo my favourite..

But there was a great David Parkin cover of Gnasher full face on the cover...

The Beano Christmas covers are amazing to look at...

[big bad bri]

am i the only one who doesn't like that Beano cover i have seen loads better.but that 2000ad one is fantastic.Empire will prob win that vote as i had/have for the time being that issue (cough cough its on ebay now

[Lew Stringer]

am i the only one who doesn't like that Beano cover i have seen loads better.but that 2000ad one is fantastic.Empire will prob win that vote as i had/have for the time being that issue (cough cough its on ebay now

The 2000AD cover is a great homage to the Iwo Jima memorial but it doesn't have the same impact as The Beano one in gabbing the attention of customers from across the other side of the shop. The award is really about design, rather than detail.

[-MikeD-]

2000ad isn't a member of the PPA anyway, so is not included. I also note that they only feature magazines that are still being published, which limits the field somewhat! Bet the resulting PR splurge doesn't mention the pathetically short short list or the strict eligibility criteria. Cover of the Century? I almost took it seriously. And, yes, that 2000AD cover trumps them all! And no, I'm not being in the slightest bit objective!

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

I know that 2000 AD isn't included in this selection, but many of their covers were of a high standard I reckon.



Here's most of them....mind-blowing stuff:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Usb5uJ4iR8

[philcom55]

Speaking of 2000AD it's nice to see Brian B. back on this week's cover.

- Phil R.

[babington]

Great 2000AD video! Yes it's good to see Bolland back. I think I'd have to vote for the McMahon Burger Wars cover of prog 72 as the all-time best, but there are so many contenders. Prog 225 is pretty great too! Bolland was saying at the LSCC that he thought his covers for the Eagle Comics American reprints of Dredd were some of his best work and I agree. That's probably why his work sells for about $48,000 a page at the moment!

[BeanoMark]

But there was a great David Parkin cover of Gnasher full face on the cover.

That cover wouldn't have existed unless this Dennis one came first.

Plus, to be fair, there's nothing original in that 2000AD cover. It's a homage at best.