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 1979 and Uncanny X-Men 1987. 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 1980
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Uncanny X-Men 1988
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The Speech Bubble 
As you know, I love both flaming skies and cyborgs, so the X – cover you chose got really close to the gold medal… but at the end I decided to pick UXM # 236.
The giant guns held by the soldiers are the first thing that caught my attention: when I see them, I remember the action packed movies and comics I love so much, so this detail instantly won me over.
And then I gave the cover a closer look, and I noticed that the image is actually a photograph, and there’s something very enticing written on it: Magistrates 2 Mutants 0.” Who are the Magistrates? Is there a war between them and the X – Men? How did they manage to capture Wolvie and Rogue? How could these hostages get out of trouble? Questions, questions, questions.
Also, notice that next to the photo there are 5 cartridge cases, and 2 of them don’t have the bullet inside. Perhaps these cartridge cases symbolize the X – Men: 2 of them (Wolvie and Rogue) have been captured, so they’re useless like a cartridge case without the bullet inside, but there are some other mutants that still have the chance to win the war between the X – Men and the Magistrates, and they’re symbolized by the cartridge belts that are ready to be used.
As for the Flash, I pick issue # 283, because I love whodunit stories. Special mention for issue # 282, because I love the round composition of the cover.
“As you know, I love both flaming skies and cyborgs, so the X – cover you chose got really close to the gold medal… but at the end I decided to pick UXM # 236.”
I thought for sure that we would have the same choice this week. I’m mighty surprised.
“Also, notice that next to the photo there are 5 cartridge cases, and 2 of them don’t have the bullet inside. Perhaps these cartridge cases symbolize the X – Men: 2 of them (Wolvie and Rogue) have been captured, so they’re useless like a cartridge case without the bullet inside, but there are some other mutants that still have the chance to win the war between the X – Men and the Magistrates, and they’re symbolized by the cartridge belts that are ready to be used.”
And this right here is some real nice work. You took it to another level with this one and blew my mind in the process. 🙂
My runner up though is another cover featuring Wolverine and Rogue, UXM #237. They’ve obviously escaped the clutched of the Magistrates and are hanging on for dear life on top of a speeding train no less.
“As for the Flash, I pick issue # 283, because I love whodunit stories. Special mention for issue # 282, because I love the round composition of the cover.”
I agree that #283 is fantastic and is my personal runner-up.
Thanks, as always, for providing your analysis and sharing your choices.
Thank you as well for your compliments and your replies! : )
Wow great covers to pick from here. I really liked The Flash #283 with Flash racing on his treadmill and then slowly fading away. Its really uncanny and quite creepy, makes you wonder what’s happening as Flash screams and fades away! Also think Uncanny X-Men #234 is another really dark themed cover, with Wolverine kneeling on the floor, and transforming into one of the Brood. Its very creepy, those aliens always spooked me out, but to see Wolverine tuning into one is quite shocking.
“I really liked The Flash #283 with Flash racing on his treadmill and then slowly fading away.”
You and wwayne are on the same page here with this cover and I’m not far behind with it winning the silver medal for me.
“Its very creepy, those aliens always spooked me out, but to see Wolverine tuning into one is quite shocking.”
I’ve never been a big fan of the Brood but I have to admit that is one stellar cover.
Thanks for sharing your picks!
I remember these covers very well! They loved putting Colossus on the cover back then. And perhaps I’m a bit biased since Uncanny X-Men was easily my favorite title at the time, but I loved seeing him! I suppose his appearance lends itself well to catching your attention when you’re looking at dozens of comic books on a shelf. The Mister Sinister cover is a classic as well. However, the standout cover is definitely Brood Wolverine. Wolverine is menacing on his own. Brood Wolverine is downright terrifying.
“I suppose his appearance lends itself well to catching your attention when you’re looking at dozens of comic books on a shelf.”
Quite right. Colossus doesn’t have too much focus on him nowadays but I’m sure any moment now he’ll return to prominence. It’s too bad they didn’t use him better in the live action X-Men movies…
“However, the standout cover is definitely Brood Wolverine. Wolverine is menacing on his own. Brood Wolverine is downright terrifying.”
You and Paul Bowler see eye to eye on this one.
Also, thanks for sharing your choices. It is much appreciated! 🙂