Cyberspace Comics

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Before he was given his own series, the Black Panther took over the lead feature in Jungle Action starting with issue #5. Decades later, the Marvel Knights line relaunched a Black Panther series by Christopher J. Priest that was filled with excellence.

Jungle Action #8 January 1974 Rich Buckler

Black Panther vol. IV #27 April 2000 Sal Velluto

On Ebay: Jungle Action | Black Panther
On AtomicAvenue: Jungle Action | Black Panther

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

For decades, Spider-Man was barely associated with the Avengers and crossovers between the two properties were special events. Now, of course, that line between them has become blurred ever since the New Avengers and Marvel’s Civil War. In 1990, Avengers #314 kicked off a five part space-adventure story that brought Spidey along for the ride. The cover to Dark Avengers #12 bears a noticeable similarity to that issue.

Avengers #314 February 1990 Paul Ryan

Dark Avengers #12 February 2010 Mike Deodato

On Ebay: Avengers
On AtomicAvenue: Avengers

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

What If? vol. II #105 is most famous for debuting Spider-Girl but, it was also the first appearance of A-Next. When Spider-Girl got her own ongoing series in 1998, A-Next got theirs as well! This next generation of Avengers included Bluestreak, J2 (the Juggernaut’s son), Jubilee, Mainframe, Speedball, Stinger (Ant-Man II’s daughter), and Thunderstrike II (Thunderstrike’s son). The cover to the final issue of the series paid homage to the first one.

A-Next #1 October 1998 Ron Frenz

A-Next #12 September 1999 Ron Frenz

On Ebay: Avengers | A-Next
On AtomicAvenue: Avengers | A-Next

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Avengers #70 featured the first major appearance of the Squadron Sinister (and their first cover appearance). It was a team of villains meant to be analogous to DC’s Justice League. Hyperion = Superman. Whizzer = the Flash. Doctor Spectrum = Green Lantern. Nighthawk = Batman. An alternate universe version of the team, the Squadron Supreme, has since been more prominently featured in the Marvel Universe and included even more heroes that were derived from DC characters.

Avengers #70 November 1969 Sal Buscema

A-Next #10 July 1999 Ron Frenz

On Ebay: Avengers | A-Next
On AtomicAvenue: Avengers | A-Next

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

This is less a swipe than it is an easy way for Marvel to publish two variant covers while only having to pay for one. The story inside is pretty fun, though. Ms. Marvel takes on the new “Ms. Marvel” of Norman Osborn’s Dark Reign: Moonstone!

Ms. Marvel vol. II #46 December 2009 Sana Takeda

Ms. Marvel vol. II #46 December 2009 Sana Takeda

On Ebay: Ms. Marvel
On AtomicAvenue: Ms. Marvel

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

This Aaron Lopresti zombie variant pays homage to the very first appearance of Ms. Marvel .

Ms. Marvel #1 January 1977 John Romita, Sr.

Ms. Marvel vol. II #20 December 2007 Aaron Lopresti

On Ebay: Ms. Marvel
On AtomicAvenue: Ms. Marvel

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Art Adams re-used his “running forward” cover motif for Tom Strong’s Terrific Tales #1 and 5.

Tom Strong’s Terrific Tales #1 January 2002 Art Adams

Tom Strong’s Terrific Tales #5 January 2003 Art Adams

On Ebay: Tom Strong
On AtomicAvenue: Tom Strong

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Namor the Sub-Mariner was re-introduced to the comics world in Fantastic Four #4 and, years later it’s cover was paid homage by Arthur Suydam’s “zombiefied” cover to Black Panther vol. IV #29.

Fantastic Four #4 May 1962 Jack Kirby

Black Panther vol. IV #30 September 2007 Arthur Suydam

On Ebay: Fantastic Four | Black Panther
On AtomicAvenue: Fantastic Four | Black Panther

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Mark Gruenwald wrote hundreds of comics but the story that he was most proud of was Squadron Supreme. After he died, Marvel Comics published a trade paperback collecting the twelve-issue limited series and Gruenwald’s ashes were mixed into the ink! A new cover was provided for the collection by Alex Ross and was later paid homage to by Gary Frank.

Squadron Supreme TPB August 1997 Alex Ross

Squadron Supreme vol. II #1 May 2006 Gary Frank

On Ebay: Squadron Supreme
On AtomicAvenue: Squadron Supreme

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Avengers #87 revealed the origin of the Black Panther and, years later it’s cover was paid homage by Arthur Suydam’s “zombiefied” cover to Black Panther vol. IV #29.

Avengers #87 April 1971 John Buscema

Black Panther vol. IV #29 August 2007 Arthur Suydam

On Ebay: Avengers | Black Panther
On AtomicAvenue: Avengers | Black Panther