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 2005 and Uncanny X-Men 2012. 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 fourth page to view them.
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The Flash 2006
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Uncanny X-Men 2013
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The Speech Bubble 
Well, had to choose Flash Vol 2 #228 as it features Flash and Nightwing on the cover, not often we seem them both on a cover like this. Its perhaps notable that Flash is the one standing still, as he carries the two children, and it is Nightwing zooming into action to protect them all. Some interesting names on the gravestones as well that give us pause for throught. Uncanny X-Men Vol 3 #12 is really good, one of my fave Battle of the Atom covers, with Magneto dominating the cover, flanked by Magik, as he closes in on the fallen Original X-Men. Great stuff! A fun retroactive and some brilliant covers to choose from!
The names on those tombstones are rather ominous indeed. Jay Garrick? Linda Park? And more importantly, Wally West? What? A perfect one-two punch, action mixed with intrigue!
Thanks for sharing your choices! It is always appreciated. 🙂
That’s exactly what I was thinking, a brilliant cover. You’re welcome always enjoy the retroactive features. Have a great weekend :o)
I agree with you on the best Flash cover. With Uncanny X-Men, the first cover is good, in fact they all kind of are, but I’m leaning toward Uncanny X-Men 11.
With so many stunning X-covers this year it was quite a herculean task to pick a winner. I had so many quality images to pick from that it definitely took me some time.
Thanks for providing your picks! It is always fun to hear from everyone and see all the various answers.
It took me less than one second to choose Flash # 228 as my gold medalist.
First of all, it features Nightwing, and I would buy the issue for this reason alone.
Secondly, this cover raises a lot of questions. Why is the Flash holding two babies? Why is the scene taking place in a graveyard? Who are Flash and Nightwing yelling at? This image is full of weird and eye – widening details, and each of them compels you to open the book up to find out what’s going on.
Thirdly, the colouring is exceptional. The green used for the background brilliantly matches with the colours of Nightwing’s costume, and it also makes the bright – coloured costume of the Flash stand out in a very eye – catching way.
As for the X – Men, I pick UXM # 9: a sexy lady holding a giant gun? I couldn’t ask nothing better! 🙂
My silver medal goes to the cover chosen by Paul, for the very reasons he brilliantly listed.
“It took me less than one second to choose Flash # 228 as my gold medalist.”
You and Paul Bowler sure picked an awesome cover as your top pick. From the guest appearance to the children in danger to finally the ominous names on the tombstones including the Flash (Wally West) himself. In fact, the final three issue of this volume (228-230) were all real stars what with that shot of Vandal Savage strangling Wally and Jay and that final cover of Wally’s Flash suit slowly disintegrating. In the end, I’d have to give silver to #230, bronze to #228, and 4th to #228.
“As for the X – Men, I pick UXM # 9: a sexy lady holding a giant gun?”
Much like the Flash, there were three covers that could have won the coveted 2nd place prize. UXM #3’s Magneto cover with an exceptional use of shadows and the metallic main title being blown apart by the master of magnetism is fantastic. USM #4’s Magik cover showcases the character in a rather epic pose. Finally, UXM #2’s Emma Frost cover is too captivating to pass up. My rankings would have to be 2nd (UXM #3), 3rd (UXM #4), and 4th (UXM #2).
Thanks, as always, for sharing your selections and providing your analysis.
“UXM #2’s Emma Frost cover is too captivating to pass up.” I completely agree with you: this cover gets a hugely deserved bronze medal in my personal ranking.
“My rankings would have to be 2nd (UXM #3), 3rd (UXM #4), and 4th (UXM #2).” We chose 6 different covers for our podiums: when this happens, you know it’s been a great ediction of Retroactive.
“Thanks, as always, for sharing your selections and providing your analysis.” Thank you as well for your reply! 🙂