Cyberspace Comics market report, reviews and more

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.

Front Line follows Ben Urich and fellow reporters during the events of World War Hulk. A little while after issue one was published, Marvel Apes got to poke fun at it with this cover and the title.

World War Hulk: Front Line #1 August 2007

Marvel Apes: Grunt Line #1 July 2009

On Ebay: World War Hulk | Marvel Apes
On AtomicAvenue: World War Hulk | Marvel Apes

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.

In 1992, LucasFilm Games released Defenders of Dynatron City for the NES. An animated pilot based on the characters was produced that same year and featured voice work by Christopher Walken and other notable actors. It failed to get picked up as an ongoing series but, the film was released on VHS (remember those?!). The property was also licensed by Marvel, and a six issue mini-series was published written by Steve Purcell (best known for creating Sam & Max).

Defenders of Dynatron City #1 February 1992 Frank Cirocco

Defenders of Dynatron City #6 July 1992 Frank Cirocco

On Ebay: Dynatron
On AtomicAvenue: Dynatron

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.

Amazing Spider-Man #546 kicked off the Brand New Day direction, showcasing a single Peter Parker and a new publishing schedule (three times a month). The Marvel Apes special featuring Spider-Monkey used it as a target for parody.

Amazing Spider-Man #546 February 2008 Steve McNiven

Marvel Apes: Amazing Spider-Monkey #1 June 2009

On Ebay: Spider-Man | Marvel Apes
On AtomicAvenue: Spider-Man | Marvel Apes

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.

Marvel Apes kicked off the series with a nod towards the David Finch variant of New Avengers.

New Avengers #1 January 2005 David Finch

Marvel Apes #1 November 2008

On Ebay: New Avengers | Marvel Apes
On AtomicAvenue: New Avengers | Marvel Apes

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.

Killing off Captain America was a bold move that could have set the fans against Ed Brubaker’s run. But, it paid off … and he’s back already, anyway. Such a news-making event is certainly a target for parody – take it away, Marvel Apes!

Captain America vol. V #25 April 2007 Steve Epting

Marvel Apes #4 February 2009

On Ebay: Captain America | Marvel Apes
On AtomicAvenue: Captain America | Marvel Apes

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.

Mary Jane and the mini-series that followed were great comics full of cute slice-of-life stories written by Sean McKeever and excellently illustrated by Takeshi Miyazawa. Certainly a strange source for Marvel Zombies to take from…

Mary Jane #2 September 2004 Takeshi Miyazawa

Marvel Zombies Hardcover (5th printing)   Arthur Suydam

On Ebay: Mary Jane | Marvel Zombies
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Zombies | Mary Jane

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.

Megaton is one of those truly influential and important indy titles. The lead feature was an afrocentric hero named Megaton by Gary Carlson & Mike Gustovich. There were many back-up features in the series, which could almost be called an anthology. Carlson’s Berzerker was illustrated by Angel Medina (early in his career), underground artist Grass Green provided Wildman strips and Rob Liefeld debuted the look of Youngblood (years before #1 was published by Image). Erik Larsen debuted his Vanguard character in a strip that went on to introduce many other characters that he’d later use including Mighty Man and the Savage Dragon. Although the Dragon debuted in an issue #2 cameo, his first main (and cover) appearance took place in issue #3.

Megaton #3 February 1986 Erik Larsen	Savage Dragon Archives #3 December 1998 Erik Larsen
PvP vol. II #11 September 2004 Scott Kurtz

On Ebay: Megaton | Savage Dragon
On AtomicAvenue: Savage Dragon | Megaton

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.

The Marvel Zombies series were filled with classic cover swipes. This one swipes the McFarlane cover to the classic Hulk vs Wolverine battle.

Incredible Hulk #340 February 1988 Todd McFarlane

Marvel Zombies #3 April 2006 Arthur Suydam

On Ebay: Hulk | Marvel Zombies
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Zombies | Hulk

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.

The Marvel Zombies series were filled with classic cover swipes. This one swipes the Michael Turner variant of Civil War #1.

Civil War #1 July 2006 Michael Turner	Ultimate Civil War: Spider-Ham #1 March 2007 Mike Wieringo
Marvel Zombies 2 #1 December 2007 Arthur Suydam

On Ebay: Civil War | Marvel Zombies
On AtomicAvenue: Marvel Zombies | Civil War

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.

The Secret Invasion tie-ins were filled with classic cover swipes. In the 1980s, Hawkeye moved to California and started a new team of Avengers. This cover paid homage to the first issue of that new team.

West Coast Avengers #1 September 1984 Bob Hall

New Avengers #47 January 2009 Aleksi Briclot

On Ebay: Avengers | Secret Invasion
On AtomicAvenue: Avengers | Secret Invasion