In Retroactive I’ll take you on a visual comic cover tour of the past covering all the covers for a particular series. Each entry will cover an entire year and I’ll always have one comic from DC and one comic from Marvel. At the end of each edition of Retroactive I’ll select my overall favourite cover for that year for each series. Last time on Retroactive we covered Green Arrow 1983 and The Punisher 1986. If you need a refresher, just click HERE. Below you’ll find the two series that I’m currently covering. Click on that specific logo to be instantly taken directly to that series. The last section is reserved for my Top Picks from each year. Click the logo or travel to the third page to view them.
________________________________________________________
Green Arrow 1988
___________________________________________________
The Punisher 1987
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
The Speech Bubble 
I really like Green Arrow # 7. A murky blind alley, a puddle under Black Canary’s feet, a foggy background… this cover shows many typical elements of dark comics, so I instantly fell in love with it.
I also love the fact that the title of the comic book is part of the image, because it’s written on the poster behind Black Canary.
Also, that poster gives us the illusion that Oliver is about to shoot an arrow to the crooks reflected upon the door of the car. A very creative cover indeed.
Green Arrow Vol. 2 # 1 – 12 probably are the best Green Arrow stories ever written. I do suggest you to read them if you haven’t.
As for Frank, I pick The Punisher # 3. A bunch of crooks are dashing in pursuit of Frank by driving their car at high speed: one of them shoots him with a submachine gun, and the other one throws a hand grenade at him.
Any other man would be very scared and upset in a situation like that: Frank on the contrary doesn’t bat an eyelid, and keeps driving with his left hand while trying to shoot his enemies with the right one.
This cover is so full of energy and action that it makes you feel thrilled even before starting to read the issue. It also perfectly catches the essence of the character, who is so cold – blooded that he’s able to keep a cool head even in the most extreme situations.
I also love the perspective leaning to the left, the golden light thrown upon Frank, the contrast between the raging faces of the crooks and the impassiveness of Frank’s facial expression… yes, this cover definitely deserves the gold medal.
“I really like Green Arrow # 7.”
I’m with you. It was my runner-up this year for the very same reasons you so eloquently stated.
“Green Arrow Vol. 2 # 1 – 12 probably are the best Green Arrow stories ever written. I do suggest you to read them if you haven’t.”
I have not had the pleasure of reading this yet so I take your recommendation to heart. What I can say is what an absolutely gorgeous collection of covers. From the very first issue’s cover which a gigantic Oliver taking aim over the Seattle cityscape to #12’s free-for-all heap of bodies with Shado and Green Arrow perched victorious.
“This cover is so full of energy and action that it makes you feel thrilled even before starting to read the issue. It also perfectly catches the essence of the character, who is so cold – blooded that he’s able to keep a cool head even in the most extreme situations. I also love the perspective leaning to the left, the golden light thrown upon Frank, the contrast between the raging faces of the crooks and the impassiveness of Frank’s facial expression… yes, this cover definitely deserves the gold medal.”
Well put my friend. I’d also like to direct special mention to #2’s interesting use of colouring choices and depiction of guns-a-firing. Kinetic action at its finest!
Thanks, as always, for sharing your selections!
Thank you as well for your compliments and for your reply! : )
I really like both of these covers as well, especially Green Arrow Vol 2 #9 great how this cover features Shado as well, looks fantastic. Awesome cover for Punisher Vol 2 #1 as well, with Punisher outside the window with a rocket launcher! I like the use of color here, and how the neon sigh gleams on the side of the building. I’ve never read many Punisher issue, but this one looks really exciting!
I’m with you. This series of Retroactive starring Green Arrow and Punisher is unique as I discover more and more about these series, the Punisher in particular. Great covers that peak my interest year after year, and we are only on the second edition!
Thanks for listing your choices! 🙂