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 Legends of the Dark Knight 1994 and Daredevil 1993. 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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Legends of the Dark Knight 1995
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Daredevil 1994
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The Speech Bubble 
I really like Daredevil # 335.
The first thing that caught my attention was the main character using the white cane as if he had become completely blind: this detail is so enticing and question – raising that it would deserve the gold medal alone.
And then I noticed that a disfigured villain is waiting in ambush for him. I gave him a closer look, and I noticed that the giant gun he’s holding apparently has become part of his own flesh: this detail makes us understand that he’s a cyborg, and it also gives the cover a delightful sci – fi vibe that is really unusual for Daredevil.
And then I looked under the villain, and I noticed that the title of the story arc is “Humanity’s Fathom”. That could explain both Daredevil’s and the villain’s condition: maybe there’s a strange disease causing a lot of mutations in human bodies, and this pestilence cancelled Matt’s superpowers and melted the skin of the villain. This cover foreshadows another delightful cliché of sci – fi novels: a terrible disease spreading all over humanity and creating a post – apocalyptic atmosphere. One of the best novels I’ve ever read (“The Stand” by Stephen King) had exactly this plot.
I also love the pouring rain, the title being partially covered by the head of the villain, the use of shadows on his melted skin… as you can see, I listed SIX reasons why this cover deserves the first prize, so I give it the gold medal without hesitation.
As for Bruce, for the third consecutive time the Annual takes the first prize. Giant muscles, raging faces, the pouring rain, a heated fight scene… this cover has many eye – pleasing details and conveys a lot of energy, so it wins the gold medal with ease in my personal ranking.
Special mention for LOTDK # 67, because light and shadow are combined in a brilliant way, especially on the body of the nurse.
“As you can see, I listed SIX reasons why this cover deserves the first prize, so I give it the gold medal without hesitation.”
A terrific cover deserving of the beautiful write-up you composed. The first thing that drew me in was Daredevil’s apparent blindness, exactly the same reason that caught your attention first as well.
It is a very difficult month for me to choose a cover with my other highlights being my #2 overall cover (Daredevil #329) and my #3 cover (Daredevil #331). I loved Daredevil #329’s battle between what is supposed to be two heroes. Why does it appear that Daredevil is trying to kill Iron Fist? And what is that contraption that he has him in? #331’s cover with the two Dardevils battling one another with the classic coloured one holding a tattered American flag over the newly coloured version as he drowns in a pool of blood is simply amazing. I also really admire how this arc called the Tree of Knowledge (starting in #326) affects the main titles as the story progresses. Each subsequent issue gets more and more overrun with vegetation. A very clever idea indeed!
“Special mention for LOTDK # 67, because light and shadow are combined in a brilliant way, especially on the body of the nurse.”
And I would direct special mention to the cover that Paul Bowler choose, #75, for the very reasons he listed below.
Thanks, as always, for providing your selections!
“Each subsequent issue gets more and more overrun with vegetation.” Nice catch GothamRogue, that had passed me by!
“And I would direct special mention to the cover that Paul Bowler choose, #75, for the very reasons he listed below.” I decided to leave this image out of the podium, and it was a really difficult decision, because I agree with you that LOTDK # 75 is a very good cover. The adjective Paul Bowler used (ethereal) perfectly describes the gorgeousness of this image.
The bronze medal goes to LOTDK # 74: that sneer upon Bruce’s face is too eye – widening and question – raising to be left out of the podium.
“Thanks, as always, for providing your selections!” Thank you as well for your reply! : )
“The bronze medal goes to LOTDK # 74: that sneer upon Bruce’s face is too eye – widening and question – raising to be left out of the podium.”
This cover earned my 3rd Place award as well.
Great Retroactive! I really like the cover for Legends of the Dark Knight #75 from the Engines storyline. Its great how the Dark Knight is depicted on the cover as a knight in white armour, its such a ethereal image, totally opposite to how we expect Batman to look. A great cover!
Lots of great Daredevil covers here, eventually decided on Daredevil #334 with DD on a rooftop standing beside the chimney, swathed in shadows. Its a really atmospheric cover and also showcases the new costume as well. I quite liked this costume, it was a radical change at the time, but I thought it looked really good, especially in scenes like this.
Another excellent issue of Retroactive, have a brilliant weekend everyone 😀
You too Paul! : )
Thank you 😀
” I really like the cover for Legends of the Dark Knight #75 from the Engines storyline.”
I agree it is a great image and it secures my Silver Medal award.
“Lots of great Daredevil covers here, eventually decided on Daredevil #334 with DD on a rooftop standing beside the chimney, swathed in shadows.”
You couldn’t go wrong selecting any of these covers. A really great year for Daredevil in terms of striking imagery.
“Another excellent issue of Retroactive, have a brilliant weekend everyone.”
And I hope you had an excellent weekend as well. Also, thanks for sharing your choices. 🙂