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 The Flash 1973 and Uncanny X-Men 1981. 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.
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The Flash 1974
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Uncanny X-Men 1982
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The Speech Bubble 
Flash # 230 shows one of the most typical situation of superhero comics: the leading character fights against a villain in order to save a damsel in distress. Sometimes the damsel in distress is in love with the superhero, and this makes the fight even more tense.
What makes this cover different from all the others that show this situation is Flash’s unusual attitude. Instead of attacking the villain with the fury of a lion who protects his lioness, the Flash looks at him with a frightened glance. You can tell how scared he is from his body language as well: he makes the stop signal with his hand, which is one of the most typical gestures a person makes when he/she feels helpless against a potential aggressor.
I also like the geometric pattern of the cover. Flash’s legs form a triangle, and inside of this geometric figure you can recognize another triangle, formed by the legs of the damsel in distress; also, notice that the Flash’s arm, the fire coming from the villain’s hand and the fire coming from his means of transport form 3 parallel lines.
I also love the perspective leaning to the left, the contrast between the warm colours of Flash’s costume and the cool colours of the flames surrounding him (why are they green, now that I think about it?), the contrast between light and shadow on the building behind the Flash… yes, this cover definitely deserves the gold medal.
As for the X – Men, I completely agree with the cover you chose. Special mention for UXM # 163, because of its very detailed background.
“Flash # 230 shows one of the most typical situation of superhero comics: the leading character fights against a villain in order to save a damsel in distress.”
That entire synopsis was a delight to read. You brought up so many things that hadn’t even occurred to me especially about the geometric pattern and structure of the image. A cover that I had originally dismissed has been elevated in my mind thanks to you. My runner-up though would be Flash #227. Flash reading a book telling him how he will die? How did he get a hold of such a book? Who wrote it in the first place? Is it from the future? A book of lies? So many questions!
“Special mention for UXM # 163, because of its very detailed background.”
We are two for two this week as that is my runner-up as well. It has a real nice horror vibe to it.
Thanks, as always, for sharing your selections. 🙂
Thank you as well for your compliments and for your replies! : )
Yes, I really like the cover of Flash #226 as well, with Barry facing a big question for him to resolve. Really good cover that makes you want to dive into the issue and find out what’s happening. I picked Uncanny X-Men ##157 were it seems like Dark Phoenix has returned! Brilliant covers!
“I picked Uncanny X-Men ##157 were it seems like Dark Phoenix has returned!”
And this was my third runner-up. The prospect of the Phoenix returning would grab anyone’s attention, that is for sure.
Thanks for providing your choices. Much appreciated.
Flash #225 is on my search list. I’ve yet to find a copy that isn’t in terrible condition.
You’ve got to love any Professor Zoom issues. He’s such a fantastic villain.
“You’ve got to love any Professor Zoom issues.”
I do. In fact I own the very first appearance of the villain.
Overall, #225 is an awesome cover for the shock value alone. Why is Flash teaming up with his mortal enemy? Why has Green Lantern been arrested? What is going on? Questions, questions, questions.
Thanks for sharing your selection!
I’ve got his first appearance too! Great minds think alike 😛
Awesome! 🙂